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
Best Perennials for Flower Farmers in Canada
Open Flower Network: Channeling OptimismBest Perennials for Flower FarmersJun 26, 2025For many consumers and flower lovers, perennials like lupins, foxglove, and columbines are nostalgic favourites, reminding us of simple pleasures. For specialty cut flower farmers,...
Digital Marketing for Flower Farmers
Open Flower Network: Putting Flowers on the MapIntro to Digital Marketing for Flower FarmersJuly 2, 2025In today’s world, the truth is that almost every business needs an online presence. However, for many flower farmers (and small business owners in general), digital...
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...
What’s Coming up
Events for the flower farming community
Regions Atlantic Canada British Columbia Ontario & Quebec Prairies Virtual/National < > Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13ASCFG Ask an Expert: Best Practices for Seed SavingASCFG Ask an Expert: Best Practices for Seed SavingTime: 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Erika Clarke founded and manages Sow Local Seeds, a family farm that specializes in locally adapted and ecologically produced flower, herb, and vegetable seeds in Nova Scotia, Canada. During her presentation, she will walk attendees through her practices and processes for saving cut flower seeds before ending the webinar with a robust question and answer session. This session is free to ASCFG members only.
14 15 16 17 18 19Cross Canada Flower Check-in: Pick Your Sales ChannelCross Canada Flower Check-in: Pick Your Sales ChannelTime: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Join flower farmers of different scales from across Canada as they compare their primary sales channels. Learn about the opportunities and limitations of on-farm sales, Pick Your Own, Subscriptions, Farmers' Markets, Wedding design, direct to designers and flower marketplace sales. This event is free and open to all.
20 21 22 23 24 25 26Cut Flower Pricing & Quality in CanadaCut Flower Pricing & Quality in CanadaTime: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
OFN Canada has compiled a wholesale pricing list based on 2024 online marketplace sales. In this workshop, we will introduce this list and discuss how to use wholesale pricing as your base pricing for retail sales. Online wholesale marketplaces will be present to reflect on these prices and share quality standards/issues as they are evolving. This event is free and open to all.
27 28 29NFU 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
30 31
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
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.
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.
