Episode 650: Cooperative Flower Network of Edmonton, Alberta – a new local flower hub with grower-members Moira MacKinnon and Sarah Laudin




SLOW FLOWERS with Debra Prinzing show

Summary: https://youtu.be/QGiRs_UnZw0?si=V4GKZrTbztynvsgC<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Sarah Laudin of Sunshine Blooms (left) and Moira MacKinnon of Love &amp; Fantasy Flowers (right), members of Cooperative Flower Network of Edmonton, Alberta<br> <br> <br> <br> Pickup day with members of the Cooperative Flower Network<br> <br> <br> <br> Join me today to learn all about local flowers in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where a group of 11 flower growers have formed the Cooperative Flower Network to bring Alberta-grown botanicals to the floral community. This vibrant flower market and distribution hub supports local cut flower growers and supplies buyers with locally grown, unique and high quality blooms.<br> <br> <br> <br> I’m especially thrilled to welcome two of the growers, including Cooperative co-founder Moira MacKinnon, owner of Love &amp; Fantasy Flowers, and Sarah Laudin, owner of Sunshine Blooms Farm – both are Slow Flowers members and we’re thrilled that the Cooperative Flower Network is also a new member.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> But the BIG news is that CFN will be a partner of the Slow Flowers Summit this coming June when we come to Alberta, with a generous donation of seasonal, Alberta-grown botanicals that will flower the event. Our attendees will get their hands on this beautiful product, and you’ll experience first-hand one of the best-selling point noted by CFN on its website: The question: What sets CFN apart from other floral wholesale services? The answer: Our product is FRESH and we have a guarantee on your orders! We work so closely with our farming community to get you the very best local product. No rehydrating required, no crushed Dahlias from dry packing, and no unwanted substitutions!<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> https://youtu.be/lBPyBW9J4O0?si=U6YOH7AmWn6i1yFi<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> During our video interview and my conversation with Sarah and Moira, we preview a new video about the Cooperative Flower Network, produced by Cooperatives First, a nonprofit formed to assist cooperatives in Western Canada. Cooperatives First offers courses, workshops, and important assistance to emerging communities as they form cooperatives.<br> <br> <br> <br> Follow Cooperative Flower Network on InstagramFollow Love &amp; Fantasy Flowers on Instagram and FacebookFollow Sunshine Blooms Farm on Instagram and Facebook<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> News of the Week!<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> I hope today’s episode inspires you to join us in Banff at the Banff Centre for Arts &amp; Creativity, June 23rd-25th at the 7th Slow Flowers Summit. Please check out the link to register below, and learn more about our speakers, agenda, and programming that will inspire you over two days in the Canadian Rockies!<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Slow Flowers Summit 2024 - Details &amp; Registration<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Slow Flowers Member Meet-Up for February<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Don’t miss this Friday’s Slow Flowers member virtual meet-up on February 23rd, with special guest Lennie Larkin of b-side farm, author of Flower Farming for Profit – we’ll hear her insights on pricing and profitability for flower growers – Preregistration is required and you can find the link in today’s show notes – bring your questions and I hope to see you there!<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Click to Pre-Register for our February 23rd Slow Flowers Member Meet-up<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Thank you to our Sponsors<br> <br> <br> <br> This show is brought to you by Slowflowers.com, the free, online directory to more than 750 florists, shops, and studios who design with local, seasonal and sustainable flowers and to the farms that grow those blooms. It’s the conscious choice for buying and sending flowers.<br> <br> <br> <br>