Open Flower Network
Helping women and gender diverse farmers connect, scale and succeed in the specialty cut flower sector. françaisFinal Report
Over the past three years, the Open Flower Network has been helping women and gender diverse farmers to connect, scale, and succeed in the specialty cut flower sector. As this important work draws to a close, we’ve summarized the project’s highlights, achievements, and challenges in a short and accessible final report.
information, support, community
What is the open flower network?
Presentations & events
informational resources
A curated repository of resources, crowd-sourced from experienced flower farmers across Canada.
community building
Peer-to-peer support networks that let flower farmers share challenges, questions and solutions.
research & advocacy
Building knowledge within and beyond the sector by gathering industry data and strengthening its voice.
Freshly cut
Newest Resources for Flower Farmers
Starting a Cut Flower Hub
Open Flower Network: Expanding wholesaleStarting a Specialty Cut Flower HubDec 12, 2025Are you interested in setting up a flower hub but don't know where to start? Cut flower cooperatives and collectives allow groups of growers to organize into business-to-business...
Sustainability for Flower Farmers
Open Flower Network: Starting up & scalingSustainability for flower farmersNov 11, 2025 How do we define 'sustainable flowers'? This is an essential question to ask, for growers, wholesale hubs, and florists alike. In this video, Theresa Schumilas of Garden Party...
Surviving Slaugust for Flower Farmers
Open Flower Network: Preventing BurnoutSurviving 'Slaugust'Oct 7, 2025 If you're a flower farmer, you're probably familiar with the grueling slog that is August! Between the long, hot days, the never-ending weeds, and the heavy demands of harvest, many farmers...
bridging the gaps
education & support topics
Resources to help early-stage farmers clarify goals and understand essential elements of running a successful business.
Knowledge and guidance to help you maximize the season and build a successful farm business
Information, ideas, and tools to help you promote your business and connect with others, online and offline
Discover resources and strategies to help you manage stress and find balance–in your work and life.
Find information and guidance to help you expand your business and find success in the valuable wholesale market.
Gap Analysis Report
As a starting point for the Open Flower Network, we gathered survey responses from almost 200 Canadian flower farmers at all scales, along with running a series of focus groups. This gap analysis report synthesizes those results to describe the sector as it is today, highlights opportunities, and identifies barriers to growth. The report also outlines the resources and programming the Open Flower Network program will begin developing to bridge these gaps.
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Financial support was provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
