In March, the winners of the 2024 Garden Rose Design Contest visited Alexandra Farms, where they learned about Colombian culture through farm visits, conversations, presentations, and creative possibilities. Other guests from throughout the world joined in the visit, and they all left with a renewed appreciation for their industry and one another. Join the journey into one of the most amazing garden rose farms in the world!
Garden Rose Grower Welcomes ‘Friends of the Farm’ to Bogotá
The visit, held on-site at one of the industry's most respected farms, included hands-on learning, behind-the-scenes access, and a greater understanding of the arduous work and process behind each garden rose. Here's what went on during the delightful visit.
A little glimpse of the special moments lived during the visit to Alexandra Farms
Starting Day 1 at San Ignacio With Stories, Stems, and Scenic Views
On the first day, the group gathered early for breakfast and greetings before going on a full day of tours and presentations at the San Ignacio farm. Visitors were led through the dahlia greenhouse, given a talk on composting, another on diversification, and saw the farm's garden rose greenhouses.
Marcy Almoney, who won first place in the 2024 Garden Rose Design Contest's Everyday Design category, was excited to tour the farm and learn about the processes ahead of her first visit. She shared:
"Before visiting, I was daydreaming about walking through the greenhouses and seeing all the gorgeous garden roses. I love the product and couldn't wait to see the processes in action."
Alexandra Farms prioritizes sustainability throughout the breeding, growing, and production processes. As a result, presentations frequently emphasize these features to demonstrate the genuine relevance and dedication of these operations on farms. From greenhouses to insecticides, the carbon footprint is small at all stages of production. Marcy added:
"I was genuinely surprised at how many layers of sustainability are woven into the growing practices. The composting systems that include greenhouse and post-harvest level, the actual flower selection process, the breeding, understanding growing rights and practices - there is so much involved in growing and production."
Urban Petals CEO Anna Stouffer was also intrigued by the sustainability processes on the farm and shared:
“I found the recycling process intriguing, not necessarily because it was ‘recycling’ but because it spoke to the high quality that Alexandra Farms holds its product to. Seeing the compost area was interesting, but also helpful, knowing how fresh the roses actually are.”
To conclude the morning of touring and sustainability education, visitors viewed garden rose varieties that are being trialed and discussed the testing process that leads to production. Viewing the trial greenhouse and unreleased varieties is consistently one of the highlights for farm visitors.
Seeing the Farm Processes Up-Front
After lunch and a presentation by Dean Rule, General Manager of Conectiflor, S.A., about the benefits of growing flowers in the Andes Mountains, it was time to continue the discussion surrounding new varieties and the testing and breeding process.
The tours and demonstrations show the precision and care that go into every stage of production, from breeding to harvesting and beyond. Gaining this type of insight is especially beneficial for the guests. Dafne Gonzalez, an account manager with Sunburst Farms, said:
"It helps us talk to our customers and kind of educate them, because sometimes they don't have an idea of all that it takes to get the product. At the same time, it shows we know what we're doing, that we know what we sell, and that differentiates us from the rest."
On the other hand, Anna was in awe of the post-harvest process.
“It was so fascinating to see the roses go from the field, and within 30 minutes, they were graded, packaged, and shipped. The whole operation was careful, done by people, not machines, and the systems in place were down pat. The building was buzzing with activity but not chaos. It was just beautiful and fascinating to witness.”
The day ended with a group dinner, where everyone shared their thoughts on the day, and new friendships were forged. Now going on to day two of the floral adventures!
Day 2 - El Jardín Tour and Awards
The second day of the visit began with a tour of the El Jardín farm, followed by a dahlia presentation, a rose grafting exercise, a post-harvest tour, and a fragrance workshop. After lunch, visitors were treated to a traditional dance performance by the Alexandra Farms staff, as is common for these tours.
The rest of the day was spent constructing flower arrangements with a wide variety of fresh-cut garden roses from the farm, as well as socializing with one another to share design ideas and discuss the information obtained over the previous two days.
Marcy eagerly said:
"Visiting Alexandra Farms gave me an entirely new appreciation for what it takes to bring a single rose to the market. Even more surprising was the process's collaborative nature. Breeders, growers, farm staff, and floral designers all play a role in determining which roses progress forward. Joey took the time to listen to our feedback and opinions. It was empowering to realize that our creative voices could have influenced the destiny of some of the kinds."
The Final Day With Alexandra Farms
On the last day of the visit, guests went on a full-day sightseeing tour of Bogotá, which included visits to La Candelaria and the Jardín Botánico de Bogotá.
Guests spent the day talking about their enthusiasm for the industry and discussing their shared experiences on the trip. Pieter Filius, sales manager at Parfum Flower Company, was a guest on the trip and was particularly impressed with the diverse group of industry professionals who attended the tour. He said:
“One of the most remarkable aspects of this trip was the wonderfully eclectic group of people who came together — breeders, growers, farmers, marketers, floral designers, wholesalers, and, of course, us at Parfum Flower Company."
Alexandra Farms aims to offer an educational and enjoyable experience for all visitors, inspiring the passion that our industry shares for floriculture and the intricate roles we all play. Last but not least, Marcy shared:
“My trip to Bogotá and Alexandra Farms was nothing short of transformational. It was a dive into the heart of floriculture and the celebrations of floristry on every level. I love flowers. Alexandra Farms and everyone there share my passion and love of flowers. It was an absolute honor to be a part of this tour.”
Photos courtesy of Alexandra Farms.
