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
Working with ‘Cool’ Flowers
Open Flower Network: Channeling Optimismworking with 'cool' flowersJun 26, 2025Looking for a way to get ahead of the Spring rush? 'Cool' flowers are primarily annual flowers that can be planted early in the Fall, stay in suspended animation below the snow through the...
Starting the Season Right for Flower Farmers
Open Flower Network: Preventing BurnoutStarting the season rightMay 5, 2025 How can flower farmers prevent burnout before it starts? Unpredictable weather patterns, financial pressures, and never ending to-do lists can quickly lead to stress and burnout for specialty...
Cut Flower Coops and Collectives
Open Flower Network: Expanding wholesaleCut Flower Coops & CollectivesMar 18, 2025Selling through wholesale channels is a valuable yet often untapped income source for many small-scale flower farms, whether they are scaling up or already established. Cut flower...
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 5NFU 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
6 7 8 9 10 11 12NFU 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
13 14 15 16Cross 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.
18 19NFU 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
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
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.
