This month Resendiz Brothers had the pleasure to host the California Protea Association’s (CPA) Fall meeting. The topic was – the International Protea Association (IPA) 2017 conference and Pre-Conference Tour. It was our opportunity to shared what we learned while attending the conference in South Africa with the farmers here in California. The meeting started with the Area Report that Mel presented during the IPA Grower’s Day covering California’s current status of protea production and future outlooks. A second slide-show followed with pictures taken during the IPA Conference and Tour, highlighting the farms that so graciously welcomed us.
However, the evening wasn't just about IPA and South Africa, it was also about gathering together and catching up on what’s happening on the farms here in California. We prepared the typical ‘Resendiz Feast’ of Carne Asada, of course and dined outside on the patio.
It was a delightful evening filled with good conversation, scrumptious food and beautiful flowers … all shared with friends who love farming as much as we do.
The floral industry hit the streets on October 11th to Petal It Forward, and Fallbrook was among 459 cities in all 50 states, plus DC and Canada where florists, wholesalers and farmers brightened the days of random passersby. It was all part of the nationwide ‘Petal it Forward’ program, in partnership with the Society of American Florists (SAF). This program is in response to SAF’s 2015 omnibus research which showed that while 80 percent of people said flowers make them happy, even more, 88 percent said that giving flowers makes them happy.
Petal It Forward teams from 459 cities not only spread happiness to lucky people who received the flowers, but armed the recipients with the tools they needed to Petal It Forward and spread happiness to others: An extra flower bouquet to share with the person of their choice. We joined in on the fun and headed to the local cafe where we spread some happiness too!
This was a win-win for all the happiness ambassadors but, more importantly, it was a win for creating positive buzz around flowers in the communities that were reached.
While I’m usually content wandering the fields with my camera photographing flowers... this week Tracy Sellers, Host/Producer, of California Bountiful TV visited our farm and made my field trip extra special!
A weekly, 30-minute show, California Bountiful, is produced by the California Farm Bureau Federation in Sacramento. They educate folks on where their food really comes from... basically the whole “farm to fork” concept is brought to TV each week! It's syndicated throughout the state, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, Fresno and more. California Bountiful can also be seen nationally on satellite station RFD-TV. To view recent episodes of the show, visit: www.californiabountiful.com A new season starts in San Diego this month on KUSI, Sundays at 11:30 a.m. through the Fall and Winter. Stay tuned… we’ll keep you up to date when to watch for the Resendiz Brothers episode!
Thanks to Tracy and Scott for featuring us in the up-coming season of California Bountiful TV!
It’s autumn and in the field… the Red Baron has returned! Yes, an Ace of Aces: when it comes to proteas… a fabulous mix of P. Obtusifolia and P. Magnifica. The rich scarlet-red hue, clean waxen bracts and large dark green leaves are typical of the characteristics inherited from its parentage. The large, gorgeous flower heads are a rich, clear red color with silver-white hairs edging the bracts. The central flower dome is also a combination of red and silvery-white, adding further to the beauty of this bloom.
Red Baron is a sure 'hit' when mixed with other protea or combined with an array of colorful flowers and foliage in bouquets and even wreaths.
Upon moving from Cape Town to Citrusdal, South Africa, Neil and Olivia Hall were excited about the prospects of having the opportunity to live and work in the countryside. Although this small town is blessed with picturesque mountains and a vibrant community, the effects of alcoholism, child abuse, HIV Aids, underage pregnancy, poverty and more were evident and right on everyone’s door step! As the years went by, the Hall’s realized the problems and challenges that the community faced, particularly the youth, were only getting worse. This resulted in the birth of Hebron Community Projects (HCP) in 2008, a registered non-profit organization that aims to be a catalyst for positive change in Citrusdal and communities alike. HCP has a particular focus on youth by providing programs and facilities that will allow for qualified personnel to counsel, teach, train, and provide a safe haven for youth at risk.
Today, Philadelphia Farming, and Hebron Community Projects are growing together to provide solutions to the problems the community of Citrusdal faces on a daily basis. Neil and Olivia are committed to and passionate about setting up initiatives that will ensure sustainability, further developing the farm and HCP as a combined force for change in the community. Philadelphia Farming wholeheartedly supports the vision of HCP, and partnering with this organization is just one small way that the farm looks to give back to a very special community.
For more information on Hebron Community Projects, please go to http://www.hebroncp.org
Menziesii is also referred to as Menzies' banksia, firewood banksia, port wine banksia or 'Raspberry Frost' – all very suitable nicknames for this fabulous flower.
Menziesii blooms in the fall when the reddish flowers begin to open from the base. Gradually taking their time, sometimes taking weeks, row after row of flowers open until the flowering reaches the top of the cone, looking like splendid candles on a Christmas tree.
This banksia’s essence certainly seems to parallel with The Language of Flowers and the symbol of Protea – Courage and Diversity! Menziesii, not only is a beautiful flower, but strong and powerful one as well. And when it comes to diversity… it looks fabulous mixed with other flowers and foliage.
The 2017 International Protea Association (IPA) Grower’s Day was held on September 4th, in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Farmers, propagators, breeders, educators, researchers and marketers gathered in an open forum of communication and friendship to promote and expand the protea industry.
The event drew nearly 100 attendees from 10 countries. Grower’s Day topics included: Strategic Intelligence – thinking the future, Effect of domestic economic trend of SA flower market, Importance of temperature management in the cut flower value, Providing assurance in the wild fynbos sector and Will fynbos change with climate change?
In addition, Area Reports from South Africa, USA, Canary Islands, Azores, Australia, Chile, Israel, New Zealand and Portugal were presented covering each country’s current status of Proteaceae production and future outlooks. The reports were also submitted to the International Society for Horticulture Science (ISHS) and will become part of the conference proceedings published in ACTA Horticulturae.
Not only was the Grower’s Day program interesting and informative, but the flowers that complimented and adorned the conference area were inspiring and gorgeous!
The next IPA conference will be held in September 2019 or 2020 in the Canary Islands, with the exact dates and venue to be announced.
