American flower farmers, designer head to China on trade mission

A delegation of American flower farmers, accompanied by Certified American Grown Administrator Kasey Cronquist and floral designer Christy Hulsey of Colonial House of Flowers, is headed to China on a trade mission focused on market development activities.

Christy Hulsey of the Colonial House of Flowers will join Certified American Grown for a trade mission in China.

During the trip, the group will meet with targeted importers, wholesalers and retailers in Beijing, Shanghai and Kunming to establish contacts and present business information. They will also tour the largest Chinese cut flower growing region in Yunnan Province to gain an understanding of production, its market structure and distribution network.

Last year, a delegation from Certified American Grown met with industry representatives in China.

The delegation headed to China includes:

Kasey Cronquist, Certified American Grown
Lane DeVries, Sun Valley Floral Group
Christy Hulsey, Colonial House of Flowers
Robert Kitayama, Kitayama Brothers
Cathy McClintock, Kendall Farms
Jim Omoto, Kendall Farms
Mel Resendiz, Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers
Diana Roy, Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers
FJ Trzuskowski, Continental Floral Greens

The trip is a result of months of work by Certified American Grown to secure federal grant funds through the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to develop export markets for American Grown Flowers.

In 2017, Certified American Grown conducted a comprehensive assessment in China to determine the Chinese market potential for increased sales of American Grown Flowers and greens. A five-member team of U.S.-based experts traveled to China to assess the market. As a result, several U.S. flower farmers began shipping to China.

As part of this trip, designer Hulsey, a longtime friend of Certified American Grown and last year’s Mayesh Design Star. Hulsey was responsible for creating the all-American Grown American flag installation at WFFSA in 2016 and served as a lead designer for Certified American Grown at the First Lady’s Luncheon in 2017. She will be bringing her design prowess to events being held with flower buyers in Beijing and Shanghai.

For more information:
AmericanGrownFlowers.org
916.441.1701
[email protected]
www.americangrownflowers.org