Registration open for MSU Extension Specialty Cut Flower Farm Tour
Print
EmailDon’t miss your chance to explore stunning local cut flower farms, learn from experts, and meet fellow flower growers this summer.
There’s no better way to experience the beauty of local cut flowers than to visit the farm in person. That’s why this year marks the inaugural season of Michigan State University Extension’s Specialty Cut Flower Farm Tour! This tour is designed for commercial growers looking to expand their knowledge and network with others in the industry. Each of the three tour dates features a different educational theme explored through a facilitated discussion with Michigan State University (MSU) Extension educators and university specialists in an informal setting. The tour dates and locations are:
- Friday, Aug. 16: Great Lakes Glad – Bronson, MI (Branch County)
- Saturday, Aug. 31 (Labor Day weekend): Marilla Field & Flora – Dexter, MI (Washtenaw County)
- Saturday, Sept. 21: Forget Me Not Flowers – Ottawa Lake (Monroe County)
Educational topics include large-scale flower production, soil health, fertility programs and pest management. Following the discussion, participants will be able to see and hear how the host farm approaches the featured topics during a grower-led tour of their operation. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with commercial growers and experts that share your passion for flowers.
Register for the Specialty Cut Flower Farm Tour
Tour stops and farm profiles
On Aug. 16, 2024, meet Bob Mayer of Great Lakes Glads located in south central Michigan. In operation since 1971, this fifth-generation farm produces hundreds of acres of field-grown gladiolus, peonies and sunflowers. Aptly named, Great Lakes Glads is best known for being the largest producer of cut gladiolus in the United States, but the Mayer Family doesn’t stop there. Great Lakes Glads also boasts the Mayer Flower Barn, a U-cut flower operation designed to give customers the opportunity to visit the farm and create bouquets of their own. This tour will focus on large-scale cut flower production and will provide attendees with a first-hand look at the harvesting, post-harvest handling and processing techniques employed by the farm.
Next, we'll join flower farmer and florist Adrianne Gammie at Marilla Field & Flora in Dexter, Michigan, on Aug. 31. Gammie grew up on a fruit farm in Ohio and, after a 10-year career in fashion, chose to combine her agricultural and design backgrounds to spread joy in the world through flowers. Using sustainable and regenerative farming practices, Gammie supplies flowers to a variety of sources including wholesale to florists and designers, grocery stores, flower subscriptions sold through her farm, and design for weddings and events. Join us at Marilla Field and Flora to experience their production field in peak bloom and get a tour of their processing and staging areas. Discussions with Gammie will emphasize soil health management, composting, fertilization and working with different soil types.
Explore amazing floral diversity at our third and final tour stop, Forget Me Not Farms, on Sept. 21, 2024. Established by MSU graduate, Lindsay Daschner, in 2016, Forget Me Not Farms produces an assortment of cut flowers ranging from early spring performers like ranunculus and anemone to summer favorites like dahlias, asters and hydrangeas. Combining her knowledge of horticulture, self-taught skills and sheer determination, Daschner set her flower farming roots in Ottawa Lake, Michigan, after a few years of working in commercial greenhouses. Today, Forget Me Not Farms has over 15,000 square feet of greenhouse and half an acre of perennial cut flower crops. The facilitated discussion will cover insect and disease management, sprayer and injector calibration, spray and drench techniques and other helpful tools of the trade. Don’t miss this opportunity to visit their greenhouse and field production areas to hear how Daschner tackles some of the most common problems facing specialty cut flower growers.
Cost and registration
There is a flat fee of $20 to register for this farm tour series. Select a single or multiple tour dates to attend.
Light refreshments will be available at each farm. Tours start at 10 a.m. and will last for approximately 2 hours. Each tour stop is limited to 40 participants, so be sure to sign up early!
Register for the Specialty Cut Flower Farm Tour
Rain policy: In the event of heavy rain, we will work with the host farm to reschedule if possible.
For more information, visit the registration page or contact Jeremy Jubenville or Caitlin Splawski of the MSU Extension floriculture team. Don't miss this unique opportunity to participate in the inaugural MSU Extension Specialty Cut Flower Farm Tour!
