Open Flower Network

Helping women and gender diverse farmers connect, scale and succeed in the specialty cut flower sector.
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Final 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?

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

Favourite Resources for Flower Farmers

Favourite Resources for Flower Farmers

Open Flower Network: Starting up & scalingFavourite resourcesDec 11, 2024 From books to podcasts to member associations, there are countless resources available for specialty cut flower farmers. So many it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. That's why...

Season Reflection for Flower Farmers

Season Reflection for Flower Farmers

Open Flower Network: Starting up & scalingSeason reflection for flower farmersDec 2, 2024 At the end of the flower growing season, it can be tempting to immediately think ahead to next year—or to take a much needed break! But this is the ideal time to spend a...

What’s Coming up

Events for the flower farming community

Regions
 Atlantic Canada
 British Columbia
 Ontario & Quebec
 Prairies
 Virtual/National
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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

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.