Sustainability in Floristry and the Horticultural Supply Chain, S26 Ep14

The reason for discussing this topic is that national and global demand for flowers is increasing due to a number of factors such as: increasing urbanisation and reduced opportunities to garden; a desire to bring “nature inside” for beauty and well-being, at home and in business and event settings.The Australian industry generates about US$ 812 million currently and is expected to grow another 4% by 2031 due to resilient and regular consumer demand and a growing export market for our native flowers, regarded as distinctive and low water consuming.The industry is under pressure from increasingly aware domestic and business consumers to adopt sustainable practices that will protect ecosystems and workers in the growing, distribution and waste management phases of production and use.  Education of suppliers, florists and consumers is improving and we will discuss some of the exciting initiatives underway locally and internationally.Our EarthChat guest is Rita Feldmann, the Founder and Education Director of the Sustainable Floristry Network (SFN), an independent body creating a new standard for floristry based around sustainability principles. Rita is based in Melbourne and there are many Australian members of the organisation with strong interest from international partners in the industry and at universities and other research facilities on their “No Floral Foam” and waste minimisation and reuse initiatives. More information can be found at:  SHOW NOTES Sustainable Floristry Network,  www.sustainablefloristry.org Grown not Flown (currently on pause) Victorian flower farmer invents award-winning app encouraging people to buy local - ABC Newshttps://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2023-05-18/rural-vic-woman-of-the-year-buy-local-app/102356038 Sustainability in Floristry: Eco-Friendly Practices and Techhttps://thegeekinsights.com/sustainability-in-floristry-eco-friendly/ Tips for improving sustainability Use locally sourced flowers Reduce/eliminate floral foam use Sustainable Packaging Integrated pest management to minimise chemical use and increase ecosystem health through using natural predators, companion planting etc Composting floral waste in organic/green waste streams Digital tools eg soil moisture, humidity control to maximise efficiency in application of water and energy Educating consumers to not expect products that are out of season or a long way from their climatic zone Ongoing Learning and training of practitioners, growers and distributors so they can each play their part more effectively in the supply chain. Essential Sustainable Practices Shaping Floriculturehttps://thursd.com/articles/sustainable-initiatives-in-floriculture Www.sustainablefloristry.org Flowers 2030 is an industry education program for florists committed to transforming their practice for a sustainable future Floriculture Sustainability Initiative  https://wwwfsi2030.com Sustainability Planning Templates | Sustainabloomhttps://sustainabloom.org/sustainability-planning-templates Helix Australia www.helixaustralia.com.au This company specialises in breeding, licensing and marketing of new and improved varieties of Waxflower and Boronia for both cut flower and landscape sectors. These flowers thrive in drier climates and require less water in cultivation and can be grown in poorer soils so less fertiliser is required and their flowers support pollinators and other aspects of local ecosystems to promote biodiversity. Climate Hero www.climatehero.org.au Reducing emissions and ecological footprint through a Carbon Calculator and other educational materials to assist businesses and individuals to take action on their resource usage and day to day practices. River Gum Florist, 32 McIntyre Street, Seymour www.rivergumflorist.com.au This business sources local flowers wherever possible, seeks to reduce plastic whenever they can and their floral waste is used by a local goat farm so there is good recycling of nutrients.