https://padlet.com/alexandriaanderson0v/r2b8xvw34ppwokun en-us 2020-12-13 08:39:13 UTC 2020-12-13 08:40:15 UTC hello@padlet.com alexandriaanderson0v https://padlet.com/alexandriaanderson0v/r2b8xvw34ppwokun/wish/1013226156 We have such an amazing mix of new and established flower growers joining us from all over the world for the Richmond Flowers.

As excited as I am to share all of the information we’ve so carefully put together about plant propagation, succession sowing, and marketing with them, I’m equally excited to watch as students cultivate their own flower community and form friendships with other participants in the course.

When we transitioned our workshops from on-farm, to online, I worried that we would never be able to replicate the same deep personal connections that took place in person. But after hearing from so many people who participated in our online workshop gush about how valuable and meaningful the connections they made through the course, I’ve realized that all of that worrying was for nothing.

One participant wrote, “I think the most unexpected thing was how close the community of support would be in the Floret Online Workshop. It has been so much fun! There’s so much encouragement here and I’ve made some of the sweetest friends. It feels like I’ve known them for years. Lots of kindred hearts! Flower farmers really are some of the kindest people around.”

Floret flower fieldOver the last year, Floret Online Workshop students have organized their own meet-up events across the country, including a tulip planting workshop in Pennsylvania last fall.

In Melbourne Australia, two students who met online through the workshop, later met “in the real world” and have since collaborated on Floral Acts of Kindness, a project that sources unsold flowers from wholesalers and enlists volunteers to make bouquets for charitable causes and senior citizen homes.

We’ve also heard from attendees who have arranged visits to meet other Floret students and tour their farms while they traveled across the U.S., Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. It’s been such a thrill to see these flower friendships develop and deepen and I’m excited to watch as this year’s class connects.]]> 2020-12-13 08:39:33 UTC https://padlet.com/alexandriaanderson0v/r2b8xvw34ppwokun/wish/1013226156