Flower Farmer Forum Conference — 3rd Annual
Saturday January 31, 2026
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Sunny Mary Meadow Flower Farm, St. Joseph, MN
Â
For the first time ever, the Flower Farmer Forum Conference is being hosted on the farm! Join us for a full day of education, inspiration, and connection with fellow flower farmers and industry experts.
Â
Confirmed Speakers – Flower Farmer Forum Conference 2026
🌷 Dawn Wiemers – Ball Horticultural Company
Flying in from California, Dawn will share insights on growing high-quality tulips, anemones, ranunculus, peonies, and plugs. Ball also has a robust nursery sales division, making this session valuable for anyone interested in expanding beyond cut flowers.
❄️ Julie DeGennaro – COOLbot
Julie will lead a presentation on maximizing cooler efficiency and storage capacity using COOLbot technology, featuring a real-world case study from Sunny Mary Meadow’s on-farm setup.
🌹 Sarah Rowan – Len Busch Roses
Sarah will discuss the traditional challenges within the U.S. cut flower industry and how Len Busch Roses is working to support and collaborate with local flower farmers in Minnesota and beyond.
💰 Nicki Skroch – Compeer Financial
Nicki will break down balance sheets, financial statements, and lending options in a way that’s approachable and actionable for farms of all sizes.
🛡️ Brandon Hummel – Farmers Union Agency
Brandon will cover the essentials of risk management for small and diversified farms, including insurance considerations for farmers markets, U-Pick operations, agritourism events, and farm-to-table dinners.
Additional Topics include:
- Crop Planning That Works
- Plus more speakers and on-site vendors to be announced!
Â
Optional Add-On (Sunday 9:00 AM–2:00 PM):
Adding Wedding Flowers to Your Flower Farm — A hands-on, turnkey session for those ready to expand into weddings.
(Limited to 10 participants, only available as an add-on the conference. Once you purchase your ticket to conference, you’ll get an email with the details for signing up for Sunday.)
Â
An optional social evening will follow Saturday’s sessions — the perfect way to unwind and connect with fellow attendees.
Ticket Includes:
🌸 Stem Bar Experience — Create your own custom bouquet to take home.
🥗 Catered Lunch
🎥 Full Access to Recordings — Rewatch all speaker sessions anytime after the event.
📂 Downloadable Handouts & Resources — Every presentation, checklist, and tool uploaded for you.
🤝 Access to Industry Experts — Connect directly with professionals in lending, insurance, crop planning, and floral business strategy.
Â
Everything you need to learn, connect, and grow—all in one inspiring day at Sunny Mary Meadow.
Expert Guidance
Gain insights from industry professionals & leaders, as well as Liz Fiedler Mergen, a seasoned professional in the flower farming industry.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with like-minded individuals to share experiences, brainstorm ideas and learn from each other.
Practical Skills
Acquire hands-on skills to prepare for the upcoming flower farming season.
 Where Flower Farmers Grow Together
This has been a growing dream and movement within the flower farming community, and for the first time ever, it’s happening right here at Sunny Mary Meadow.
The 3rd Annual Flower Farmer Forum Conference is your chance to connect with like-minded growers, exchange ideas, and leave re-energized for the season ahead. Spend the day learning, networking, and having fun in a setting designed to inspire. Attendance is capped at 70 people, keeping it intimate and impactful. Resources, speaker videos, and handouts all posted after the conference, helping you continue to build on everything you learn. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this milestone year!
Â
