Open Flower Network

Helping women and gender diverse farmers connect, scale and succeed in the specialty cut flower sector.
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information, support, community

What is the open flower network?

Women and gender diverse farmers often face barriers to participation in Canadian agriculture. But in the rapidly growing sector of specialty cut flowers, women and other historically marginalized communities are finding a new field of opportunities. Open Flower Network aims to build on this potential. Over the course of the 2-year program, we’ll be drawing on the collective wisdom of successful flower farmers to provide mentoring, skill-building, and knowledge-sharing opportunities that help new and aspiring flower farmers connect, scale and succeed.

presentations & events

In-person and online panels, workshops and networking events focused on priorities identified in the sector.

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

Building Networks for Flower Farmers

Building Networks for Flower Farmers

Open Flower Network: Putting Flowers on the MapBuilding Networks for Flower FarmsJuly 2, 2025 Ready to grow your flower farm community? Building networks with other flower farmers can be incredibly valuable — both personally and professionally. From attending local...

Email and Social Media Marketing for Flower Farmers

Email and Social Media Marketing for Flower Farmers

Open Flower Network: Putting Flowers on the MapEmail and social media marketingJuly 3, 2025 In today’s digital world, growing beautiful blooms isn’t enough—flower farmers also need to grow their online presence. Whether you're selling bouquets at the farmers market or...

Marketing without Social Media

Marketing without Social Media

Open Flower Network: Putting Flowers on the MapMarketing without social MediaJune 25, 2025 Are you sick of social media? While social media can be a valuable marketing tool for many flower farmers, it's not the only way! In this video, Theresa Schumilas of Garden...

What’s Coming up

Events for the flower farming community

Regions
 Atlantic Canada
 British Columbia
 Ontario & Quebec
 Prairies
 Virtual/National
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MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
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345NFU Human Resources Training SeriesNFU Human Resources Training SeriesTime: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hiring farm staff? Seeking advice on training and managing staff? Join the National Farmers' Union for a series of five 2-hour free online HR training modules for a crash course on best management practices. Join for one session, or for all!
Jan 29 - Hiring & Incentives
Feb 5 - HR Fundamentals
Feb 12 - Interpersonal Dynamics, Training & Retention
Feb 19 - Planning, Task Management & Delegation
Mar 5 - Bonus! Farm Grants, Loans, and Financial Tools
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101112NFU Human Resources Training SeriesNFU Human Resources Training SeriesTime: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hiring farm staff? Seeking advice on training and managing staff? Join the National Farmers' Union for a series of five 2-hour free online HR training modules for a crash course on best management practices. Join for one session, or for all!
Jan 29 - Hiring & Incentives
Feb 5 - HR Fundamentals
Feb 12 - Interpersonal Dynamics, Training & Retention
Feb 19 - Planning, Task Management & Delegation
Mar 5 - Bonus! Farm Grants, Loans, and Financial Tools
13141516Cross Canada Flower Check-in - Setting Business GoalsCross Canada Flower Check-in - Setting Business GoalsTime: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Join flower farmers of different scales from across Canada as they discuss the process of setting business goals and share their experiences. Learn about how you can set SMART goals for your own business. This event is free and open to all.
17ASCFG Ask an Expert: Pressed FlowersASCFG Ask an Expert: Pressed FlowersTime: 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Kate Punnett created a small flower press company called The August Press where she sells flower presses across North America. She also captures her pressed art digitally and sells her prints, and her future goals are to create a longer format book celebrating local pressed flowers throughout the season. Learn from her experiences in developing alternative streams of income and a new customer base through developing new services and products featuring pressed flowers. This event is free to ASCFG members only.
1819NFU Human Resources Training SeriesNFU Human Resources Training SeriesTime: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hiring farm staff? Seeking advice on training and managing staff? Join the National Farmers' Union for a series of five 2-hour free online HR training modules for a crash course on best management practices. Join for one session, or for all!
Jan 29 - Hiring & Incentives
Feb 5 - HR Fundamentals
Feb 12 - Interpersonal Dynamics, Training & Retention
Feb 19 - Planning, Task Management & Delegation
Mar 5 - Bonus! Farm Grants, Loans, and Financial Tools
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Nothing is scheduled

Hosting a learning or networking event for specialty cut flower farmers? We’d love to share it!

bridging the gaps

education & support topics

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.

COMING SOON!

COMING SOON!

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.

Stay Informed

Be the first to know with updates on the Open Flower Network project.

Financial support was provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.