International Protea Association: Explore the New Facebook Page & Instagram

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.

https://www.facebook.com/InternationalProteaAssociation/

https://www.instagram.com/internationalproteaassociation

IPA 2017 Pre-Conference Tour

South Africa’s Western Cape is one of the country’s most beautiful provinces, attracting a lion’s share of tourists. It is a region of majestic mountains, long beaches and colorful patchworks of farmland set in lovely valleys. With a total area of 129,462 square kilometres, the Western Cape is roughly the size of Greece.

The Mediterranean climate of the peninsula and the mountainous region beyond it is ideal for flower farming and there are a number of family farms producing an excellent range of flowers. However, if you’re passionate about Protea there’s no other place on Earth like the Cape Floristic Region – The Home of Proteaceae! That’s exactly why we made it a point to attend this year’s International Protea Association (IPA) Conference in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

The IPA Pre-Conference Tour took place on September 1st & 2nd and featured four fabulous flower farms: Arnelia Farms, Pomona Farm, Philadelphia Farm and Jansekraal.

Our first stop on the morning of the 1st (and the first day of spring in Africa) was Arnelia Farms near Hopefield.

Then, that afternoon we ventured out to Pomona Farm near Piketberg.

On day two, we headed out to Philadelphia Farm near Citrusdal in the West Coast area.

Our last stop, Jansekraal also on the west coast near Citrusdal.

XVII International Protea Association Conference

With the beautiful backdrop of Western Australia’s unique flora, and coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the world-renowned Kings Park, the XVII International Protea Association Conference held in Perth was truly inspiring. The educational programs were rich and varied, with speakers from around the globe discussing new ornamental species, breeding, cultivation, post-harvest handling and marketing plus exciting new developments in the Proteaceae and Australian wildflower industries.

The first two conference days included presentations by four highly acclaimed keynote speakers and concurrent sessions focused on Proteaceae and new ornamental crops. The third and fourth days were devoted to visiting commercial wildflower farms and nurseries, a leading wildflower exporter, and a guided tour of Kings Park, including a look ‘behind the scenes’ at the nursery and research programs.

Commercial Wildflower

Kings Park and Botanical Garden

However, the conference wasn’t only about learning – there was plenty of time to network with fellow flowers farmers from around the world.

The XVIII International Protea Association Conference is tentatively scheduled for August 2017 in Stellenbosch, South Africa.