Cultivating Dreams, Sowing Hope: Honoring Global Floral Innovators
A Breathtaking Surge in Worldwide Interest
The latest scholarship cycle witnessed an unprecedented volume of applications, with nearly 2,000 individuals from over 50 nations and all corners of the U.S. vying for a place in the upcoming online workshop. This extraordinary global participation surpassed all prior expectations, revealing burgeoning interest in regions like Vietnam, Singapore, and Lithuania, alongside established markets such as the UK and Australia. The sheer scale of this engagement highlights the profound influence a small two-acre farm has had in inspiring flower growers across continents, from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe.
The Emotional Journey of Selection
The task of choosing scholarship winners is always an emotional rollercoaster, blending elation with a sense of difficulty. With so many deserving candidates, narrowing down the choices felt almost insurmountable. Initially pledging five awards, the generosity of a past workshop participant allowed for a total of six scholarships to be granted. Expressing immense gratitude to every applicant for sharing their personal stories, aspirations, and dreams, the team reflected deeply on the heartfelt essays, which often evoked laughter and tears, reinforcing the powerful emotional connection flowers forge.
The Therapeutic Essence of Flowers
Throughout the selection process, the team was continually reminded of the inherent ability of flowers to touch the deepest parts of the human spirit. They bring immense joy, offer solace, ignite happiness, evoke cherished memories, and foster profound healing. This therapeutic quality of nature's blooms was a recurring theme in the applications.
Themes of Resilience and Purpose
Several compelling themes emerged from the scholarship essays. Many applicants spoke of finding tranquility and purpose in gardening as an antidote to a chaotic world, viewing their gardens as havens of peace. The idea of "flowers as medicine" resonated deeply, with individuals sharing how gardening provided hope and healing during battles with anxiety, depression, illness, or profound loss. Stories of turning to gardens after personal tragedies, like the loss of loved ones or homes, highlighted the restorative power of cultivating life. The essays consistently reinforced the adage that flowers truly nourish the soul, often drawing parallels between planting seeds and nurturing the human heart.
Embracing Courage and Community
Another significant thread was the pursuit of passion and the courage to embark on new paths. Many applicants confessed to overcoming anxiety and self-doubt, choosing to leave stable but unfulfilling careers to follow their dreams in floriculture. This desire to embrace joy and make one's soul sing, despite the fears associated with risk-taking, was a powerful motivator. The importance of community also shone through, with many expressing a deep longing for connection with fellow flower enthusiasts, sharing struggles and dreams within a supportive network. The essays frequently celebrated the interconnectedness fostered by flowers—with nature, with oneself, and with others.
Generosity, Mentorship, and Reconnection
The spirit of giving back was evident, with many applicants outlining plans to use their floricultural endeavors to support others in need. The desire to model strength, independence, and courage for children and grandchildren was another heartfelt motivation. Furthermore, the essays revealed a widespread yearning to reconnect with nature, escaping the confines of desk jobs and digital screens to embrace the grounding experience of gardening and flower farming. A strong commitment to revitalization and stewardship also emerged, with applicants eager to preserve traditional flower farming practices or introduce them to new regions where they are scarce.
Inspirational Voices and Wisdom
The applications were adorned with numerous inspirational quotes and profound insights. From Rumi's wisdom on aligning work with love to personal reflections on life's subtle guidance and the soul-nourishing power of agriculture, these words underscored the deep philosophical connection many applicants have with their craft. Quotes emphasizing the importance of dreaming and doing, and the wisdom found in nature, further enriched the narratives.
Introducing the Global Scholarship Winners of 2018
With eager anticipation, we are delighted to unveil Floret's 2018 Scholarship winners, representing a truly international cohort. This global representation was an organic outcome, reflecting the burgeoning seasonal flower movement beyond the United States. The evident need for further education, training, and support in emerging floricultural regions worldwide was a compelling factor in the selection process. The transition to a digital workshop format will now allow these international recipients to access invaluable resources more practically and efficiently, a development that fills the team with immense excitement.
Christy Ralphs: Cultivating Community in New Zealand
Christy Ralphs, from Nourish Gardens on Waiheke Island, New Zealand, emerged as a beacon of positivity and community spirit. Following her husband's serious cancer diagnosis, Christy left her teaching career to provide care, eventually channeling her energy into a 5,000-square-foot trial garden. Her passion for connecting and supporting small growers across New Zealand, evidenced by her establishment of a private Facebook group, deeply impressed the selection committee. Christy's desire to expand her knowledge and networks to uplift fellow growers highlights her commitment to fostering a thriving local flower movement.
Farah Altamimi: Sowing Hope in Jordan
Farah Altamimi from Amman, Jordan, embodies courage and resilience. Having harbored a lifelong passion for flowers since her teenage years, Farah bravely left a "dark and disappointing" career to pursue her dream of becoming Jordan's first cut flower farmer. Her arduous journey of importing seeds and absorbing knowledge, coupled with her vision to make locally grown flowers accessible and affordable in a region often plagued by conflict, resonated deeply. Farah's ambition to achieve financial independence as a woman in a male-dominated culture through this scholarship presents a powerful narrative of empowerment and positive change.
Rosie & Oscar Winter: A Farm-to-Market Journey in Australia
Rosie and Oscar Winter, from The Rose and Radish in Piccadilly, Australia, exemplify a serendipitous discovery of purpose. Their initial roadside stall, selling excess produce, transformed when Rosie spontaneously added farm-cut roses to their offerings, which quickly became their best-seller. Faced with an unexpected crisis when Rosie lost her job, they bravely transitioned their hobby into a business. Their honesty about the haphazard nature of their initial efforts and their eagerness for guidance to develop efficient systems for their flourishing farm, all while connecting their community with nature's beauty, made their application truly compelling.
Masami Lavault: Forging Paris's First Urban Flower Farm
Masami Lavault, founder of Plein Air in Paris, France, represents unwavering determination. After interning on biodynamic farms abroad, Masami embarked on an arduous four-year quest to establish Paris's first urban flower farm. Despite countless sleepless nights and emotional challenges, she recently secured a 1200 m2 plot in the heart of the city. Her profound commitment to her dream, sacrificing personal comfort to fund her venture, and her belief that the scholarship will profoundly enhance her business and strengthen her mindset, showcased an inspiring dedication to her craft.
Inna and Konstantin Zvezdina: Pioneering Floriculture in Russia
Inna and Konstantin Zvezdina, from Fluffy Flower Farm near Moscow, Russia, are pioneers in their region. As one of the few flower farmers in Russia, they embody ambition and a desire to cultivate seasonal flowers with respect for the planet. Their journey from a dream to reality, finding inspiration and knowledge through Floret, highlights their commitment to innovation. Viewing Russia as a "blue ocean" for flower farming, their hard work and aspiration to make floriculture their life's story, coupled with their desire for quality guidance to prioritize their growth, made them exceptional candidates.
Katie Koch: A Mother's Strength in California
Katie Koch, known as Flower Mama in Davis, California, represents incredible resilience and determination. A Wisconsin native now cultivating cut flowers on a third of an acre, Katie's life recently underwent significant transitions, becoming a single mother and relocating. These challenges ignited a fierce resolve to make her farmer-florist business profitable to sustain her and her son. Her plea for the scholarship as a "golden" opportunity to achieve success and model strength for her child resonated deeply, demonstrating her readiness to embrace this crucial step in her journey.
Celebrating a Shared Future
Join us in extending hearty congratulations to all the scholarship winners! The entire Floret team eagerly anticipates welcoming this diverse and inspiring group to the upcoming Online Workshop. Our profound gratitude extends to every applicant for their courageous sharing of stories, which have not only touched but also humbled and inspired us beyond measure. Thank you for enriching our understanding of the power and passion within the global flower community.