Flower Farming Fundamentals
Growing Cut Flowers in the Sacramento Valley
Discover the fundamentals of growing high-quality cut flowers in this immersive, hands-on workshop with flower farmer Elle Huftill-Balzer of Sweet Mabel's Farm.
Designed for beginning flower farmers, market gardeners, and backyard growers, this class combines classroom instruction with guided field demonstrations to explore the complete lifecycle of cut flower production.
Participants will learn how to select and grow flowers for continuous seasonal harvests using techniques tailored to the Sacramento Valley's unique climate, where flowers can be grown nearly year-round. Through hands-on activities in the field, participants will practice evaluating crop health, identifying harvest-ready blooms, learning proper harvesting techniques, and observing production practices such as plant spacing, support systems, and succession planting.
The workshop concludes with post-harvest handling and vase life strategies that help growers deliver longer-lasting, higher-quality flowers from field to customer.
No prior flower farming experience is required.
No prior experience required.
Location: Sweet Mabel’s Farm, West Sacramento
Dates: Saturday, September 19
Time: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cost: $125
Discover the fundamentals of growing high-quality cut flowers in this immersive, hands-on workshop with flower farmer Elle Huftill-Balzer of Sweet Mabel's Farm.
Designed for beginning flower farmers, market gardeners, and backyard growers, this class combines classroom instruction with guided field demonstrations to explore the complete lifecycle of cut flower production.
Participants will learn how to select and grow flowers for continuous seasonal harvests using techniques tailored to the Sacramento Valley's unique climate, where flowers can be grown nearly year-round. Through hands-on activities in the field, participants will practice evaluating crop health, identifying harvest-ready blooms, learning proper harvesting techniques, and observing production practices such as plant spacing, support systems, and succession planting.
The workshop concludes with post-harvest handling and vase life strategies that help growers deliver longer-lasting, higher-quality flowers from field to customer.
No prior flower farming experience is required.
No prior experience required.
Location: Sweet Mabel’s Farm, West Sacramento
Dates: Saturday, September 19
Time: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cost: $125
Veteran Scholarships
Thanks to support from the Farmer Veteran Coalition, California Chapter, we are pleased to offer veterans full scholarships for the 2026 California Farm Academy courses.
By accepting a scholarship, recipients agree to:
Participate in an interview with Farmer Veteran Coalition, California Chapter (FVCCC)
Complete a follow-up survey with FVCCC
Become a member of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, California Chapter. Membership is free. Complete your membership at fvcca.org
By accepting a scholarship, recipients agree to:
Supporting Women in Agriculture
Thanks to the generous support of the Les Dames d’Escoffier International, Sacramento Chapter, we have been awarded a $5,000 Philanthropic Grant to support women in agriculture.
This funding allows us to offer each qualifying student a 50% scholarship towards one California Farm Academy course, helping reduce financial barriers to hands-on agricultural education.
This scholarship opportunity is designed for women who:
Are at any stage of their agricultural journey, from early exploration to established practice
Are interested in hands-on, experiential learning in agriculture
Are ready to take a next step toward shaping their path in farming, food systems, or land stewardship
This funding allows us to offer each qualifying student a 50% scholarship towards one California Farm Academy course, helping reduce financial barriers to hands-on agricultural education.
This scholarship opportunity is designed for women who:
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