Grower News

Michigan Flower Growers’ Co-op Receives Major Grant for member education, marketing, and distribution from Michigan Dept of Agriculture Third year of growth since opening in 2017 Membership comprised of women growers on small farms within 50 miles of market YPSILANTI, MI: The Michigan Flower Growers’ Cooperative invites the public and press to see the Flower Marketplace and speak to member growers about how the market is changing SE Michigan’s floral industry on Sept 25, from 8-10:30 AM at 16 S. Washington St. in Ypsilanti. The market will be in session with an abundance of beautiful peak season blooms for sale. Coffee and light refreshments will be served. “The flower co-op has been a fantastic sales outlet for my farm. I can offer product to multiple customers in one place, and those customers can not only buy from me, but also from my fellow local flower farmers. Together our offering is stronger than any of us are on our own, and everyone wins. The Wednesday morning market also serves as a social hub for the flower community, and is a great place to connect and chat all things flowers!” – Adrianne Gammie, Marilla Field & Flora In 2018 the co-op won a $65,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to provide educational opportunities for members, add delivery service, and improve its marketing and communications efforts. The Co-op’s mission is to provide the highest-quality, most diverse offering of Michigan-grown cut flowers and foliage for the floral trade with the convenience of a once-weekly, aggregated marketplace. The Co-op’s 18 members, 17 of whom are women, are expanding the market for locally-grown flowers and foliage and facilitating relationships and education between farmers, florists, and end users. “We hope to connect with people from all ends of the floral trade to let them know about this amazing resource. For buyers, we offer a one-stop shop for the highest quality cut flowers and foliage on the market. For growers, we offer educational seminars and meet-up opportunities all season long. Winning the grant shows us that the State of Michigan understands […]

Source: thesuntimesnews.com