Rose Cultivator in Bogotá Extends Invitation to 'Farm Supporters'
Alexandra Farms Hosts 2024 Garden Rose Design Contest Winners for an Educational and Sustainable Floral Experience
The 2024 Garden Rose Design Contest winners recently visited Alexandra Farms in Bogotá, Colombia, for an immersive experience focused on education, sustainability, and deepening their appreciation for the flower industry.
During their visit, the winners engaged in hands-on learning by exploring the farm's rose varieties, including detailed walks around the property that allowed them to observe cultivation techniques and the aesthetic qualities of different roses.
One of the highlights of the visit was gaining insights into the sustainability practices Alexandra Farms employs. The winners were exposed to environmentally responsible growing methods aimed at reducing carbon footprint and enhancing soil health, as Alexandra Farms is known for integrating sustainable agriculture into their operations.
The visit allowed the winners to incorporate Alexandra Farms’ roses into their own floral arrangements, further enhancing their creative skills and reinforcing the relationship between quality farm-grown flowers and exceptional design.
Joey, who is likely a member of the Alexandra Farms staff, listened to feedback and opinions from visitors during the tour. Pieter Filius, sales manager at Parfum Flower Company, was impressed with the diverse group of industry professionals who attended the tour. Urban Petals CEO Anna Stouffer found the sustainability processes on the farm intriguing.
Through this visit, the winners’ appreciation for the flower industry was notably broadened. Experiencing firsthand the complexities of rose production—from planting to harvesting to design—increased their respect for growers and the supply chain behind each floral arrangement.
The visit also included constructing flower arrangements with a wide variety of fresh-cut garden roses from the farm, a presentation by Dean Rule about the benefits of growing flowers in the Andes Mountains, and a fragrance workshop.
The second day of the visit included a tour of El Jardín farm, a dahlia presentation, a rose grafting exercise, a post-harvest tour, and a collaborative rose production process that surprised and empowered Marcy Almoney, a winner of the Everyday Design category. The day ended with a traditional dance performance by the Alexandra Farms staff.
Marcy expressed her love for flowers and her shared passion and love of flowers with Alexandra Farms and everyone there. Marcy Almoney found the collaborative nature of the rose production process surprising and empowering.
After the tours and demonstrations showcasing the precision and care that goes into every stage of garden rose production at Alexandra Farms, visitors were led through the dahlia greenhouse, given talks on composting and diversification, and saw the farm's garden rose greenhouses.
The third day was a full-day sightseeing tour of Bogotá, including visits to La Candelaria and the Jardín Botánico de Bogotá.
Alexandra Farms aims to offer an educational and enjoyable experience for all visitors, inspiring the passion that the industry shares for floriculture. The visit combined education about rose cultivation, direct interaction with sustainable farming methods, and creative design application, significantly enriching the winners’ expertise and regard for the flower industry.
- The 2024 Garden Rose Design Contest winners, during their visit to Alexandra Farms, engaged in hands-on learning about the farm's rose varieties and cultivation techniques.
- Pieter Filius, sales manager at Parfum Flower Company, was impressed with the diverse group of industry professionals who attended the tour at Alexandra Farms.
- Marcy Almoney, a winner of the Everyday Design category, found the collaborative nature of the rose production process at Alexandra Farms surprising and empowering.
- On the second day of their visit, the winners were taken to El Jardín farm, where they participated in a rose grafting exercise and a post-harvest tour.
- After the tours and demonstrations at Alexandra Farms, visitors were led through the dahlia greenhouse, given talks on composting and diversification, and saw the farm's garden rose greenhouses.
- Alexandra Farms aims to offer an educational and enjoyable experience for all visitors, offering insights into sustainable agriculture, creative design application, and the passion shared by the industry for floriculture.
