Several months ago we reported on CalFlowers’ actions in relation to two proposed bills directly impacting floral markets in California and the nation: CA Assembly Bill 1205 and House Resolution 3019.  Since that time we have actively reached out to 16 members of the California Assembly, 7 members of the California Senate and 24 members of the Cut Flower Caucus in the House of Representatives.  We then followed up with phone calls and conversations with staff members from six Cut Flower Caucus members, and several Assembly and Senate offices.  We even enjoyed the visits to Fun ‘N Sun of staff members from the offices of Assembly Member Limón, State Senator Jackson and Congressman Carbajal.

We are expanding our scope to study proposed legislation affecting all aspects of the California floral industry dealing with a range of business issues.  As we move into 2020 we will also explore federal legislation affecting our members across the country.

Ask those who work in the floral industry, “why do people buy flowers?” and you will get numerous answers delivered with great confidence.  Some of these answers may even be correct.  However, we can’t be certain which ones are the real reasons consumers buy flowers.  Turns out, asking consumers such a direct question will not reveal the most accurate answers.

All consumers have unconscious reasons for just about anything they purchase, especially something as discretionary as flowers.

In light of CalFlowers' recent public position on state and national legislative issues, some might conclude that CalFlowers does not support the Certified American Grown program.  That conclusion would be wrong. 

CalFlowers supports American consumers who wish to select their floral products based on where those flowers and greens are grown. We also support consumers who enjoy flowers regardless of their origin.  For the former group, programs like Certified American Grown and CA Grown are valuable programs. For the latter group, the market should provide a range of convenient choices at affordable prices year-round.

Of course, many CalFlowers members have attended Asocolflores' Proflora event in Colombia in years past, but this is the first formal attendance by association staff, as well as my first visit to Colombia.  I learned a great deal, but probably what those who've attended Proflora in the past already knew.  Colombia grows many varieties of commercial cut flowers, not just the big three (e.g., roses, mums and carnations); the commercial flower farms are generally indistinguishable from flower farms I've visited in California, and the people are wonderfully hospitable (everyone I met, whether they were part of the floral industry or not).

In discussions with the Board of Directors about attending this year's event, we felt that it would be important for me to attend to represent CalFlowers and to experience first-hand what the industry was like in our market's largest importer.  Upon reflection these were two valid and important reasons to attend, but there was much, much more to the trip.  So much so, that I believe I should attend one South American floral conference per year as CalFlowers' CEO.  Here's why, in no particular order ...

Buffalo Soldiers 150th Anniversary - Say It With Flowers

On June 4, 2016 the Heritage Office of The Presidio of San Francisco paid tribute to the Buffalo Soldiers at the San Francisco National Cemetery with a morning of education sessions and a walk through the Cemetery to find and place a rose on each of the 430 graves of Buffalo Soldiers resting in this gorgeous location overlooking the San Francisco Bay.

Inspired by what has now become a tradition on Memorial Day by the Memorial Day Flower Foundation to display honor and respect for U.S. military by placing a flower on graves at National Cemeteries, this tribute to Buffalo Soldiers featured youth from local YMCA centers and their families locating each of the 430 Buffalo Soldier grave sites and placing a single stem rose in remembrance.