Residents interested in agriculture, gardening, and small-scale farming will have an opportunity to step behind the scenes of one of Southern Oregon’s specialty flower operations next month as the Oregon State University Extension Service in Josephine County hosts a Flower Production Farm Tour at Flora Farm in Williams.
Scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the educational event is designed to introduce participants to the day-to-day practices involved in producing cut flowers for local and regional markets. The tour will provide a detailed look at the systems and decisions that guide a working flower farm throughout the growing season while offering practical information for both beginning and experienced growers.
Hosted at Flora Farm, the program will lead visitors through several key areas of the operation, including greenhouse facilities, outdoor production fields, and the farm’s packing shed where harvested flowers are prepared for market. Organizers say each stop along the tour will focus on the methods and planning required to maintain healthy crops, manage seasonal workloads, and improve overall farm efficiency.
Rather than serving as a traditional lecture, the evening has been structured as an interactive learning experience. Participants will have opportunities throughout the tour to ask questions, discuss production challenges, and gain firsthand insight into the daily decisions that shape a successful flower-growing operation. Topics are expected to include crop management, production workflows, seasonal planning, harvest practices, and the practical systems used to move flowers from the field to customers.
The event is intended for a broad audience that includes aspiring flower farmers, established growers seeking new ideas, home gardeners considering commercial production, and anyone interested in learning more about specialty agriculture in Southern Oregon. By opening the farm to visitors, organizers hope to provide a realistic look at the planning, labor, and management involved in producing high-quality cut flowers on a small scale.
The registration fee for the tour is $15 per person, and scholarship assistance is available to help make the educational opportunity accessible to a wider segment of the community.
Because the event will be held at a working farm, the specific Williams location will be provided after registration. Advance registration is required.
The Flower Production Farm Tour is part of Oregon State University Extension Service’s continuing effort to provide practical agricultural education while supporting the growth of small farms and specialty crop production throughout Josephine County. Programs such as this give participants the opportunity to learn directly from experienced growers, exchange ideas with others interested in flower production, and gain a better understanding of the techniques and systems that contribute to a successful farming operation.
Individuals interested in attending can register in advance through the Oregon State University Extension Service. Additional information is available by calling the OSU Extension office in Josephine County at 541-776-7371. Those needing disability-related accommodations are encouraged to make their requests by July 28 to allow sufficient time for arrangements before the event.