Absolutely Love Protea? If so, then you need to check out the new International Protea Association (IPA) Facebook Page and Instagram. In September I traveled to South Africa to attend the IPA Conference and Pre-Conference Tour. During my visit I had the opportunity to tour several protea farms and meet some amazing farmers from across the globe. Feeling extremely inspired by my new friends and hating the idea that it would be at least two years before we’d meet again, I wanted to find a way to stay in touch. After reaching out to the IPA members in attendance, creating an International Protea Association Facebook Page and Instagram was the solution. It’s our hope that these platforms would provide us all a way to stay connected between conferences.
Finally, after two months, the Facebook Page and Instagram are up and running... and we couldn't be more excited.
Since 1984, the IPA has served as a link in the Value Chain of global commercial protea production. It offers researchers, propagators, farmers, marketers, breeders and educators an open forum of communication and friendship to promote and expand the industry for the benefit of all.
From protea farms to nurseries, marketers, florists and designers... we invite you into the world of protea from around the globe and ask that you like us, follow us and join in on the conversation.
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.
Imagine a life where days are spent tending to the land on which you live. The food you eat is the food you grew. You get your hands dirty – and it’s always with a smile. Adorable dogs, cats, and cows grace you with their presence every day. Beauty is all around, and you never cease to notice it.
I first met Pauline Nogueira during the summer of 2012. An aspiring student of agriculture from the Campus de Pouille in Angers, France, she came to Resendiz Brothers to fulfill an internship requirement. Pauline spent three months here on the farm learning about protea farming –propagating, planting, harvesting, packing and bouquet making. It was a very memorable summer for me, as I not only had an extra helping hand, I made a wonderful new friend!
Pauline has long since return to France, she finished her studies at the university and returned to her village in Pamiers. Her passion for agriculture and farming has now become a way of life, her livelihood! I had the pleasure to meet up with Pauline again this summer and experience the beauty she sees every day on her farm in Southern France.
"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden." - Thomas Jefferson
I am very proud of Pauline and the wonderful farmer she has become. I am proud of how she takes care of the land and the environment. And I know there are families who appreciate and enjoy the food she grows, for them every day is a farm to fork experience.
Thank you so much, Pauline! Merci beaucoup! I loved my visit to Pamiers and your amazing farm!
