Michigan Specialty Cut Flower Farm Tour 2024

There’s no better way to experience the beauty of local cut flowers than to visit the farm in person. That’s why this year marks the inaugural season of Michigan State University Extension’s Annual Cut Flower Farm Tour! This tour is designed for commercial growers looking to expand their knowledge and network with others in the industry. Each of the three tour dates features a different educational theme explored through a facilitated discussion with MSU Extension Educators and university specialists in an informal setting.

Tour Dates and Locations:

Friday, Aug. 16 - 10 a.m.: Great Lakes Glads and Mayer Flower Barn (652 S Parham Rd., Bronson, MI 49028)

Meet Bob Mayer of Great Lakes Glads located in south central Michigan. In operation since 1971, this fifth-generation farm produces hundreds of acres of field-grown gladiolus, peonies, and sunflowers. This tour will focus on large-scale cut flower production and will provide attendees with a first-hand look at the harvesting, post-harvest handling, and processing techniques employed by the farm.

Participants will be able to experience both the gladiolus production fields as well as their U-Cut operation.

Saturday, Aug. 31 - 10 a.m.: Marilla Field & Flora (10203 Easton Road, Dexter, MI 48130) [Labor Day Weekend]

We'll visit flower farmer and florist Adrianne Gammie at Marilla Field & Flora in Dexter, Michigan. Adrianne grew up on a fruit farm in Ohio and, after a 10-year career in fashion, chose to combine her agricultural and design backgrounds to spread joy in the world through flowers. Join us at Marilla Field & Flora to experience their production field in peak bloom and get a tour of their processing and staging areas.

Discussions with Adrianne will emphasize soil health and management, composting, fertilization, and working with different soil types.

Saturday, Sept. 21 - 1 p.m.: Forget Me Not Flowers (9380 Whiteford Center Rd., Ottawa Lake, MI 49267)

Explore amazing floral diversity with Lindsay Daschner at Forget Me Not Flowers. Established in 2016, Forget Me Not Flowers produces an assortment of cut flowers ranging from early spring performers like ranunculus and anemone to summer favorites like dahlias, asters, and hydrangeas. Participants will be able to explore over 15,000 square feet of greenhouse space and half an acre of perennial cut flower crops.

The facilitated discussion will touch on insect and disease management, sprayer and injector calibration, spray and drench techniques, and other helpful tools of the trade.

Cost and Registration

There is a flat fee of $20 to register for this farm tour series. Select a single or multiple tour dates to attend.
Light refreshments will be available at each farm.
Tours start at 10 a.m. and will last for about 2 hours. Each tour stop is limited to 40 participants, so be sure to sign up early!

A full refund, less a $10 processing fee, will be issued for any registration cancelled up to 7 days before the event you selected.

No refund will be issued for any registration cancelled within 7 days of the event you selected.
No refund will be issued for any registration cancelled after the tour has started.

Substitutions are allowed (and encouraged)!

Inclement weather policy: If it's raining too hard for a farm tour, then we will work with the host farm to reschedule whenever possible.
Important note: Some farms may not have public restroom facilities. Please plan accordingly.

Accommodations

Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact Jeremy Jubenville or Caitlin Splawski of the MSU Extension Floriculture Team.