The Business in Bloom's Short Course, a unique collaboration with the Kentucky Horticulture Council, provided cut flower growers an exclusive educational opportunity to acquire new marketing and design skills for their operations. In conjunction with the July Cut Flower Month promotion, this innovative program also facilitated in-person networking experiences among growers. The event statistics underscore the success of this initiative.

This one-day event was marketed on the Kentucky Horticulture Council Facebook page, through Cooperative Extension Offices, through the Center for Crop Diversification newsletter, to previous cut flower short course attendees, and on the Farm and Home Show through the Warren County Extension Office. 31 cut flower growers attended the Business of Blooms Short Course. 24 growers identified as new to flower farming and design work, while six individuals commented that they were new to designing and had experience with flower farming.

The educational sessions at the Business of Blooms Short Course were diverse and comprehensive. They included a trade show area, K-card, grant opportunities, better photography for business, social media marketing, and a panel discussion with growers on various topics. In the afternoon, growers could delve into Design Basics or choose a more advanced track focusing on a wedding arch.

A post-evaluation survey was distributed to growers in attendance at the end of the event to measure the impact. Surveys showed that cut flower growers gained:

-100% gained knowledge new information about designing and marketing their cut flower products from their farms

-Of the 31 attendees, 27 rated the conference sessions as excellent and good, reflecting the high quality and relevance of the content. This positive feedback is a testament to the event's success and the value it provided to the participants.

-26 growers indicated that they feel more confident when arranging and marketing their cut flowers because of attending the workshop

-Furthermore, 24 growers expressed that the hands-on workshops and demonstrations were effective, instilling confidence in the practical learning approach adopted during the event.