California growers look on as they learn about studies underway at Universidad Militar Nueva Granada (UMNG) in Colombia. Thirteen growers visited the country in May to learn more about its growing practices and issues.

California flower growers found common ground with Colombian growers during a recent trip led by the California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC).

From May 27 to May 31, representatives from Brand Flowers, Ocean Breeze International and Sunshine Floral in Carpinteria; Eufloria in Nipomo; Resendiz Brothers in Fallbrook; The Sun Valley Group in Arcata; and CCFC, traveled to Colombia after receiving an invitation from Asocolflores, the Colombian cut flower exporter's association.

During the tour, the representatives visited Colombian growing regions and flower farms in and around Bogotá and Medellin and learned about local growing techniques and working conditions.

The goal, says Kasey Conquist, CCFC's executive director/ambassador, was to experience issues affecting Colombia's cut flower production firsthand and to see how growers from both regions can address similar issues. 

"We saw common issues," Conquist says. "We're all struggling though the general economy, whether it has to do with prices, production, transportation issues or cold-chain management. There's a lot of commonality at what we're trying accomplish."

The California growers received special briefings from Asocolflores representatives and U.S. Embassy officials about the country's cut flower production, export processes and current research. The growers also heard about the political problems Colombia faces, especially when it comes to the lack of police protection in the mountainous areas where many of the flower farms are located.

The visit "helped us understand the culture of Colombia and why they face what they face," Conquist adds. "It was a phenomenal experience from both sides; being able to form building blocks for a future relationship with Colombia. This trip will be paying dividends well into the future."

--Kori Kamradt
kkamradt@safnow.org

  

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