Leadership in Bloom Starting in 2025, Janis Harris, co-owner of Harris Flower Farm and Pastured Pork, has been elected Vice President of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG). This association connects over 3,000 members worldwide, mostly small-scale flower growers in North America. “The ASCFG is very education-based,” Janis explains. “There’s so much to learn through the association’s conferences, resources, and quarterly magazines. It’s been invaluable for growers like me.” Janis first became involved years ago when her parents gifted her a membership for her birthday. In 2017, recognizing the need for Canadian representation, the ASCFG elected Janis as its first Canadian Regional Director. She served two terms, paving the way for others, including the current representative from Nova Scotia. When the Vice President position opened up, Janis saw it as an opportunity to amplify the Canadian voice further. “I thought this was a good way to get another Canadian on the executive board,” she says. The association focuses on growers who produce unique and diverse crops — flowers that aren’t typically mass-produced. “Most of us are small-scale farmers growing multiple crops and varieties,” Janis notes. She highlights the importance of education within the industry, especially as misinformation often circulates online. “There are so many YouTube videos and Instagram accounts where people claim to be experts, but sometimes the advice isn’t accurate for certain regions. For example, growing flowers in Canada is very different from growing in Texas. The ASCFG ensures that the information shared is qualified, vetted, and reliable.” Janis’s passion for improving industry standards and sharing quality education is what drives her involvement, even as a
volunteer. “The more quality information out there, the better we can all grow,” she says. “The association does a lot around post- harvest handling, ensuring flowers last longer, and improving profitability for farmers. It elevates the entire industry.” Looking ahead, Janis is excited about reconnecting with the ASCFG community. “The first board meeting is in San Diego in January. I’ve met so many wonderful people through this association, and I’m looking forward to being active again.” Closer to home, Janis and her husband, Mark, continue to focus on extending their growing season at Harris Flower Farm. “We’ll have flowers up until Christmas and then start back up in February with tulips and other early blooms forced in our greenhouse. We’re not necessarily trying to get bigger, just sustaining what we’re doing and keeping fresh, locally grown flowers available year-round.” With Janis now taking on this leadership role, the ASCFG’s future looks bright, as Canada’s representation in the specialty cut flower industry.
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*Advisors and their corporations conduct insurance business through Sun Life Financial Distributors (Canada) Inc. Mutual fund business is done with your advisor through Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is the insurer and is a member of the Sun Life group of companies. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2023. *Advisors and their corporations conduct insurance business through Sun Life Financial Distributors (Canada) Inc. Mutual fund business is done with your advisor through Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is the insurer and is a member of the Sun Life group of companies. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2023. To advertise here, please contact Geoff@VillagerPublications.com RRSPs/RRIFs • RESPs* • TFSAs a strong foundation for the future. It all starts with a conversation. *Advisors and their corporations conduct insurance business through Sun Life Financial Distributors (Canada) Inc. Mutual fund business is done with your advisor through Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is the insurer and is a member of the Sun Life group of companies. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2023. While there’s no shortage of demands on your money, now’s the time to build *Advisors and their corporations conduct insurance business through Sun Life Financial Distributors (Canada) Inc. Mutual fund business is done with your advisor through Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is the insurer and is a member of the Sun Life group of companies. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2023.
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