September 2025 - safnow.org
Colombian Farms Advance Gender Equity | safnow.org
Women are the backbone of Colombia’s flower industry — making up about 60% of the workforce, three times the national agricultural average. To support them, farms and associations like Asocolflores have launched initiatives that range from on-site medical screenings to leadership schools designed to prepare women for supervisory roles. “Women have played a significant role […] The post Colombian Farms Advance Gender Equity appeared first on safnow.org.| safnow.org
Petal It Forward has grown into a signature day of joy in communities nationwide — powered by hundreds of floral businesses and the Society of American Florists’ ready-to-use resources that make participation simple. “It’s our favorite day of the year,” says Rosa Marsal of Sunnywoods Florist in Chatham, New Jersey, about SAF’s international initiative that […] The post Simplify Petal It Forward Prep appeared first on safnow.org.| safnow.org
The floral industry’s only national marketing campaign has delivered the proof many have been waiting for. A 24-week market test in Texas showed That Flower Feeling’s advertising doubled sales growth compared to similar markets, confirming the campaign’s effectiveness in driving consumer purchases. “When I first saw , I about fell off my chair,” Chris Drummond, […] The post Test Market Shows Big Return On National Flower Campaign appeared first on safnow.org.| safnow.org
Floriculture research funding that once seemed in danger of deep cuts has been secured in full after weeks of uncertainty — and with critical advocacy from the Society of American Florists. Earlier this year, SAF and the American Floral Endowment learned that the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI), along with many other USDA Agricultural […] The post Floriculture Research Funding Restored After SAF Push appeared first on safnow.org.| safnow.org
At Wonderland Floral Art and Gift Loft in St. Petersburg, Florida, flowers may be the heart of the business — but plush toys are helping fuel its growth. Owner Cassie Osterloth has carried the high-end JellyCat brand for more than a decade. But in the past year, sales skyrocketed as the line went viral on […] The post Florida Florist Finds Profit in Plush appeared first on safnow.org.| safnow.org
If you’re only waiting for the phone to ring, you’re missing out on sales. “Outbound marketing calls are one of the smartest, lowest-cost ways to fill your order board, boost pre-orders, and build lasting customer relationships,” writes Tim Huckabee, founder of The Profitable Florist, in the September/October issue of Floral Management. In this month’s Flower […] The post Turn Reminders into Revenue appeared first on safnow.org.| safnow.org
Petal It Forward isn’t just about making people smile with surprise flowers — it’s also a golden opportunity to shine a spotlight on your business. With a little planning, you can grab local media attention and boost your visibility in the community. Here’s how to make it happen: Build your media list — and your […] The post Make Headlines With Petal It Forward appeared first on safnow.org.| safnow.org
Flowers are having a moment in the global spotlight, thanks to the newly released second season of “With Love, Meghan” on Netflix. In the opening episode, Meghan Markle, former actress and member of the British royal family, sets up a makeshift flower market with various vessels and buckets of blooms, and encourages three friends to […] The post ‘With Love, Meghan’ Highlights Joy of Flowers appeared first on safnow.org.| safnow.org
A new executive order opened the door to possibilities that could ease levies on certain imported flowers, even as a Supreme Court case looms over the president’s authority to impose them. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Sept. 5 that revised the list of products that may qualify to be exempt from tariffs. Certain […] The post Executive Order Could Open Door to Duty-Free Flowers appeared first on safnow.org.| safnow.org
As florists head into the fourth quarter — traditionally one of the busiest periods of the year — the picture is both challenging and full of opportunity. Rising costs, tariffs, and inflationary pressures loom large, but many business owners are finding creative ways to finish strong, according to a recent survey by the Society of […]| safnow.org
A child’s first steps. Learning to ride a bike. High school graduation. Teleflora’s new Mother’s Day commercial, “Never Walk Alone,” captures the small and monumental moments that define a mother’s love — even when that love isn’t fully appreciated until years later. The spot, launched April 28, is built around a simple but emotional truth: […]| safnow.org
Maximize your Mother's Day sales with effective upselling techniques. Learn how to upsell to customers without making them feel pressured.| safnow.org
Travis Wilson spent a decade working outside the industry in retail management and real estate. Now, he’s back at the family business, Breen’s Florist in Houston, where he’s slashing costs and building sales as the operations manager — all while learning floral design. Wilson, who was featured in the March/April issue of Floral Management, shared […]| safnow.org
Mother's Day can be a lot easier, profitable and stress-free if your team sticks to these three simple rules when taking outgoing orders.| safnow.org
Perseverance in the face of crisis, groundbreaking plant breeding, visionary leadership, and a passion for mentoring defined the floral professionals recognized at the Society of American Florists’ 2025 Stars of the Industry Awards Aug. 14. The annual celebration of the industry’s highest honors spotlighted trailblazers whose dedication has shaped education, research, design, sustainability, and community. […]| safnow.org
Emily Betler has owned McCandless Floral in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for less than nine months, but she’s determined to build on founder Janet Woloszyk’s 48-year legacy, which included tapping into the Society of American Florists’ resources and events for continuing education. “I wanted to go to the Next Gen conference earlier this year, but the timing […]| safnow.org
Discover the exciting career opportunities in horticulture with Seed Your Future's new webinar series. Learn from industry professionals and network with peers.| safnow.org
Seed Your Future is launching a program to train high school science teachers nationwide about the horticulture and floriculture industries and give them resources to talk about career opportunities in the classroom. The educator professional development program was created by a third party for the beef and dairy industry, where it has had great success. […]| safnow.org
The beginning of the school year is a great time to make connections with teachers and students to bring awareness to career opportunities in your business and cultivate a pipeline of workers in your community. Seed Your Future has resources to help. The resources include: Creating a Pipeline of Talent Through Schools: Did you know […]| safnow.org
Did you experience another chaotic Valentine’s Day with too few hands on deck? Has hiring been an ongoing struggle that keeps you up at night? You’re not alone! Fortunately, the industry has several initiatives to combat the labor shortage and develop the next generation of floral professionals. Learn more about these efforts — and how […]| safnow.org
At Cultivate’25, the horticulture industry’s largest trade show, a group of high school and college students walked away with more than swag bags — they left with a clearer picture of what a career in the green industry could look like. Through a special guided tour hosted by Seed Your Future, students from Ohio high […]| safnow.org
The number of Americans purchasing flowers and plants for Mother’s Day grew over last year, as did florists’ sales, despite economic uncertainty and increased costs due to tariffs. This year, 38% of Americans bought flowers or plants for mom, according to an Ipsos consumer poll conducted earlier this month on behalf of the Society of […]| safnow.org
