Carpinteria is recognized as the nation’s “Flower Basket.” The region provides over 50 percent of the value of flowers grown in California. The Golden State produces approximately 75 percent of all flowers grown in the United States today.

The public is invited to attend free, farmer-guided tours of seven flower farms located in the Carpinteria Valley. Among the flowers that will be showcased are roses, gerberas, chrysanthemums, orchids and more. Each farmer will demonstrate a variety of sustainable growing and harvesting practices. Participating growers include: Ever-Bloom, Myriad Flowers, Westland Floral, Farmers’ West Flowers and Bouquets, Pianta Bella Nursery, Ocean Breeze and Westerlay Orchids. Special features of the tour also include a floral arranging demonstration and book signing by “slow flower” advocate and author Debra Prinzing, a presentation by Koppert Biologicals about insects that are beneficial to flowers and plants, the opportunity to buy fresh flowers, the Carpinteria Art Show and a fundraiser BBQ lunch to benefit Future Farmers of America.

“Today 85% of consumers have no idea where the flowers they buy are grown,” said Kasey Cronquist, CEO and Ambassador of the California Cut Flower Commission. “These local farms face steep competition from imports. Tours like these help consumers recognize that their increasing interest in sourcing and buying local is not lost on the flowers they are buying. Origin matters for flowers too.”

“We’re pleased to partner with our sponsors to give the community a chance to learn more about this wonderful community of flower farmers,” said June Van Wingerden, president of the Santa Barbara Flower & Nursery Growers’ Association, established to provide networking and educational opportunities to its members. “This event is important because it provides an annual opportunity to invite the public into our greenhouses to see the beauty growing inside.. We have so many beautiful plants and flowers growing inside Carpinteria’s greenhouses, the tours allows us to share that beauty and highlight how our flower farms help the local economy and provide many types of jobs.”

About Carpinteria Greenhouse & Nursery Tour

The Annual Carpinteria Greenhouse & Nursery Tour was established by the Santa Barbara County Flower and Nursery Growers’ Association. The Association was established in 1975 to support its farms through advocacy, promotion and public relations efforts to ensure a positive long-term relationship with the local community. The farm tour gives the public the rare opportunity to see the beauty growing inside of the greenhouses of the Carpinteria Valley. For more information on the tour, please call (805) 576-7417 or visit www.carpinteriafarmtours.com.

This event is FREE of charge thanks to our many sponsors!

Southern California Gas Company Safeway VONS Pavilions

Farm Credit West Santa Barbara Bank & Trust – Union Bank

Montecito Bank & Trust Robert Mann Packing

Santa Barbara Newspress FedEx Community West Bank

Whole Foods Market Rincon Broadcasting Independent

Rincon Floral System USA Albertsons

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