by Michael Wren
Dec. 6, 2016 marked the first New York Cut Flower Conference held at the Carey Institute for Global Good in Rensselaerville. The event was put on by Cornell Cooperative Extension and sponsored by the Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture Program (CAAHP) and The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers.
Cut flower growers, greenhouse growers and those interested in learning more about the industry came to network and stay up to date on current market practices and trends. Attendees learned everything from implementing new insect and disease management and understanding the importance of soil health to applying business management tools and expanding the markets in which they sell. Speakers included Dr. Lily Calderwood from Cornell Cooperative Extension-CAAHP who ran the conference, Dr. Nora Catlin (CCE- Long Island Horticulture Research and Education Center), Jennifer Phillips (Bard College Center for Environmental Policy) and many other notable guests.
During breaks from the conference attendees were encouraged to visit the exhibitor booths and see available products, services and new research in the industry.
While inclement weather kept a few scheduled attendees at bay, over 50 people attended the event. Attendees such as Rebecca Sadlowski of Rooted Flower Farm in Hadley, MA and Jamie Sammons of Jayflora Designs in Fonda, NY both came to the event looking to network with other growers in the area and learn more about what is going on in the industry.
While a date for next year’s conference has not yet been set, there was a lot of interest with attendees for a similar time next year.
For more information about upcoming events visit their website at http://albany.cce.cornell. edu .