March 30, 2007
Native Florida Wildflowers To Be Showcased At Epcot International Flower Festival
Native Florida wildflowers will be featured during the world-renown International Flower Festival at Epcot in Orlando from April 5 through June 3, 2007, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced today.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in partnership with the Florida Wildflower Seed and Plant Growers Association, is hosting a pavilion that will showcase native wildflowers that are seen throughout Florida along roadsides and in meadows, natural areas and other non-cultivated sites. A Kids’ Corner activity area will enable children to learn how to identify various Florida wildflowers and see how seeds are grown, harvested and cleaned.
“This festival has a reputation for featuring some of the most beautiful flowers from around the world and is a perfect place to showcase Florida’s wildflower industry,” Bronson said. “Many residents and visitors see the beautiful native wildflowers throughout our state, but don’t know the story behind them. This will be a great opportunity to learn about this young but growing segment of Florida’s agricultural industry.”
Growers in Florida are producing seed of native herbaceous annual and perennial wildflowers. Not only are these wildflowers native, but they are derived from naturally occurring populations in Florida.
“Wildflower seed production is ideal for those that already produce other types of crops,” Bronson said. “In many cases, existing equipment and facilities can be adapted for wildflower seed production.”
For more information about native wildflower seed production in Florida, visit www.Florida-Agriculture.com/wildflowers.htm.
Additional Resources:
Wildflower Seed and Plant Growers Association Inc. Web Site:
www.floridawildflowers.com
Florida Wildflower Tag Web Site:
www.wildflowertag.com
Native Wildflower Seed Production in Florida Brochure (PDF):
http://app2.florida-agriculture.com/pubs/pubform/pdf/Native_Wildflower_Seed_Production_In_Florida.pdf
Florida Wildflower Cooperative Brochure (PDF):
http://app2.florida-agriculture.com/pubs/pubform/pdf/Florida_Wildflower_Cooperative_Brochure.pdf
Florida Wildflower Coloring Book (PDF):
http://app2.florida-agriculture.com/pubs/pubform/pdf/Florida_Wildflower_Coloring_Book.pdf
For more information:
Kim Humphrey
(850) 488-4366
humphrk@doacs.state.fl.us
