Floral Flash [Event News]Back By Popular Demand: BYOB, Bring Your Own Bunch (Bouquet)

 

Ever purchased a s...tore brought bouquet from your local grocery store but not sure what to do with it when you get home???

Come learn to create a simple centerpiece from your store brought bouquet to enjoy having at home for the weekend.

April 6, 7pm to 8:30pm
@ Floral Couture Design Studio

Cost: $35, includes vase + supplies, wine and cheese
Register Today: www.bringyourownbouquet.eventbrite.com

Kenya's 2012 Flower Export Earnings Seen Lower

By Beatrice Gachenge | Reuters – Wed, Mar 21, 2012

http://news.yahoo.com/kenyas-2012-flower-export-earnings-seen-lower-145939300.html

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's flower export earnings are expected to fall about 11 percent this year due to poor weather and a stronger local currency compared with last year, a top official said on Wednesday.

Kenya is the world's third-biggest flower producer, growing mainly red roses. Flower exports account for nearly half of the country's horticulture export earnings - the east African country's second biggest source of foreign exchange.

Jane Ngige, the chief executive officer of Kenya Flower Council, told Reuters on the sidelines of a flower exhibition that a weak Kenyan shilling helped push up flower revenues last year. East Africa's biggest economy saw its currency drop about 25 percent last year to a record low of 107 to the dollar, but it has recovered 23 percent since then to around 83, after an aggressive tightening of monetary policy by the central bank.

Flower sector earnings rose 25 percent last year to 44.5 billion shillings, partly powered by the relatively cheaper shilling, data from the USAID Kenya Horticulture Competitiveness Project showed.

"This year, we expect more stability of the Kenyan shilling, therefore we do not really see that we will do the 44 billion shillings," said Ngige.
"About 40 billion shillings would be feasible to look at."
Kenya exports of most its horticultural produce to Europe, whose sovereign debt crisis drove many countries to the brink of a recession at the start of 2012. "The economic situation in Europe is not really affecting us negatively. They seem to be managing it, but so far we haven't felt the impact," Ngige said.

Last year, Kenya's horticulture exports, contributing about 11 percent to the country's gross domestic product, rose to 91.6 billion shillings.
To try to cope with the anticipated downturn, Ngige said the country was looking to diversify its markets into Asia and eastern Europe to drive growth.  Ngige said she was worried about the delay to long rains that usually begin in March, which could slash flower output this year, especially if the unfavourable weather continues.

"It's hard to project with the delayed rains, but we are likely to maintain production at around 100,000 tonnes this year," she said.  Last year, the industry produced 109,950 tonnes of flowers. Kenya's Meteorological Department said earlier this month the long rains (March-May) were expected to commence this month and be at near-normal levels in key farming areas. So far there has been scanty signs of the rains.

The Importance of Your Local Florist

March 27th, 2012 | By: Mandy Maxwell
http://www.flowershopnetwork.com/
 

A florist is so much more than a person who delivers flowers. They are stewards of life’s celebrations and most important occasions. Betsy Hall of Hall’s Florist & Garden Center in Stone Mountain GA really says it best in this clip from the 2012 Great Lakes Expo interview with FSN’s Brock Atwill. Truly a must-see!

The truth and passion in Betsy’s voice is undeniable, but she’s not alone. Local florists are incredibly proud of the work they do for their community and are doing everything they can to keep flower buying a local experience. In our fast-paced, modern world, it’s easy to buy flowers in a box, but in doing so, you are missing out on the wonderful, one-on-one experience that only your local florist can bring.

"Grand Pave on Display" Colin Cowie Design Inspirations!

A pavé arrangement is one where the designer trims off leaves, cuts the stems fairly short (sometimes) and places the flower heads very closely together. Colin Cowie is the king of this style.  He always does it in a grand way.  Be inspired by his use of this style.  Enjoy!

 

Business Quote 3/27/2012 "IDEAS" Harvey S. Firestone

"If you have ideas, you have the main asset you need, and there isn’t any limit to what you can do with your business and your life. Ideas are any man’s greatest asset" 

Harvey S. Firestone



Harvey Samuel Firestone (December 20, 1868 – February 7, 1938) was an American businessman, and the founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, one of the first global makers of automobile tires.

BioWorks’ AFE Scholarship

Since 2008 BioWorks has had the privilege of participating in the American Floral Endowment Scholarship Program by offering the “BioWorks IPM/Sustainable Practices Scholarship.” AFE, founded in 1961, is the leading non-for-profit 501© (3) funding source for floricultural/environmental horticulture research and educational programs in the United States. The endowment is supported by more than 1,000 companies and individuals throughout the industry, including BioWorks.

Scholarship Criteria
The BioWorks IPM/Sustainable Practices Scholarship is intended for sophomore, junior, or senior students pursuing a career in floriculture. Students are selected on the basis of their sound academic performance and a grade point average of 3.0 or better. While it is not mandatory, it is strongly desired that the student be interested in furthering the use of Integrated Pest Management ("IPM") or Sustainable practices and preference will be given in this area. BioWorks hopes to encourage young people to pursue a career in floriculture or horticulture and will support those pursuits with the scholarship.

How to Apply - Click here for application
The application deadline for the scholarship is May 1st of each year. Students are evaluated and then the scholarship is awarded at the end of July/early August.

Business Quote 3/26/2012 "IDEAS"

"Many great ideas go unexecuted, and many great executioners are without ideas. One without the other is worthless."

Tim Blixseth

Tim Blixseth (Timothy Blixseth): The Blixseth Group
Famous for : Being one of the richest people in the United States, failing as a Hollywood songwriter, being a billionaire, and for his exclusive Yellowstone Club resorts and golf courses.
Blixseth details : Born - Oregon, USA / Lives - United States of America