For Fred Van Wingerden , the Certified American Grown organization has provided the firm vocalization that flower growers need in ordering to handle the shelling of challenges they face .
From competition from foreign grower to government regulation , American flower growers need the organization to represent them , said Van Wingerden , chair of Pyramid Flowers in Oxnard , California .
When California Growers voted out the California Cut Flower Commission this give , we were very concerned about who would map the domestic growers and thus started the process for an independent Certified American Grown constitution .
“ Unless we had another organisation representing the movement of American growers , it would be , like they say , united we resist and divide we fall , ” he enounce . “ We needed to pace up to the plate and check that that the new organization received strong support . I ’m a true believer in Certified American Grown because we need it to represent us as growers . ”
Pyramid Flowers and its attached company , B - Fresh Floral ( owned and control by Fred , Rene , and Winfred Van Wingerden ) , all became supporters when endorse American Grown was converted as an sovereign trade association representing flower and greens farmers nationwide . The companies made donation to the association ’s Formation Fund to hold its programs and help with operating expenses .
“ It ’s very important that the administration gets proper funding at the kickoff so it ’s strong right from the get - go , ” he said .
In addition to representing growers , Van Wingerden tell , it ’s of import that the tie-up ’s grown - in - America subject matter uphold to be conveyed to consumers . Imported flowers dominate the American mart , accounting for 80 per centum of sales .
“ That in itself is decisive , ” he said . “ We need to push that substance into the marketplace even hard . Studies have show that when consumer are given a choice , they want to buy American . And unless we tolerate together and fund efforts like this , we can not get that message out there . ”
Van Wingerden has been in the flower business enterprise since 1979 , and he comes from a long , long line of heyday growers . Flower growing in his house prolong back 15 generations to the 1600s in the Netherlands . In 1967 , four Van Wingerden pal , let in Fred ’s father , emigrate from the Netherlands to California to take advantage of the optimum blossom develop environs along the seashore between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara .
Pyramid Flowers was founded in 1991 grows eight eccentric of flowers on 80 Acre along the coast in Oxnard . It employs over 120 people .
Fred ’s son , Marcos , now sour alongside him and is part of the next genesis of sept flush growers . Having his son in the line has been reinvigorate , he read . “ He contribute young ideas and energy , ” he said . “ For me as a Father-God , having a Logos in the business sector gives me more to make for as well . It ’s like a barb of adrenaline . ”
Van Wingerden is steady in his bread and butter of Certified American Grown , and while not on the connection ’s board , he intends to be involve .
Flower growers face many challenge and the connection recreate a vital role , he said .
“ It unite growers , ” he said . “ We learn from each other , we share with each other , and whatever problems come along , we can deal them together . Each company by themselves would be very challenged to come up to all the thing that an constitution like Certified American Grown can . ”
For more information : American Grown Flowers916.441.1701[email protected]www.americangrownflowers.org
