January 27-29, 2026 Holiday Inn by the Bay Portland, Maine
The Flowering in the North conference is back — and bigger than ever! Mark your calendars and plan to join us as we bring together flower growers, researchers, and industry professionals from across the Northeast for three days of learning, connection, and inspiration.
Conference Registration
We hope you’ll join us for this three-day gathering to learn, share and connect. Space is limited. Please register today to reserve your spot.
NOTE: The Floral Design Workshop is a separate, optional add-on event and is not included in the full conference registration fee. Details below.
Registration deadline is January 20, 2026. Please note that scholarship support (on a sliding scale) is available. For more information, please contact ankit.singh@maine.edu.
Floral Design Workshop (Optional Add-On Event)
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 8:30 AM Separate Registration Required
Join Rebecca Maillet, Founder & Creative Director of Many Graces Farm & Design, for an immersive workshop focused on creating stunning, contemporary compote centerpieces. Participants will explore design philosophy, discuss essential techniques, and have dedicated time to create their own pieces with guidance and individualized feedback.
This workshop is ideal for beginners as well as those looking to learn new floral design skills and Includes:
Lunch for all participants
Vessels and materials for foam-free design
All florals needed for hands-on work
1.5 hours of live instruction
1.5 hours of participant design time
1 hour of Q&A, group discussion, and one-on-one feedback
Please note: This workshop requires its own registration fee and must be purchased separately from the main conference registration.
Agenda
Please note: All session times are subject to change.
Tuesday, January 27
7:45 a.m.: Registration & Welcome Breakfast (workshop participants only; welcome table in hallway and CT & RI)
12:30–1:30 p.m.: Registration for Conference Goers (welcome table in hallway)
1:30–2:45 p.m.:Keynote Address: Where we started and where we’re going
3:00–5:00 p.m.:
Soil Health
Overwintering Flower Crops
Selling Direct to Consumers: CSA, Farmstand, Farmers Market
Evening: Dinner on your own (Explore the Old Port!)
Wednesday, January 28
8:00 a.m.: Registration and Welcome Breakfast (Hallway)
8:45–10:00 a.m.:Keynote: What does sustainability mean in 2026?
10:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.:
Peonies
Starting a Farm – the First Five Years
A la Carte Weddings
12:30–1:45 p.m.: Lunch and Networking
2:00–2:45 p.m.: Mini Sessions (topics may vary; locations posted in lobby)
Maine Flower Collective
Social Media
Sourcing Seeds and More
Partnerships and Collaborations
Mental Health and Burnout
Owner Operators
Farming and Parenting
Finding Balance
Funding: Grants and More
Labor Movement
Yoga
3:00–5:00 p.m.:
Lisianthus
IPM and Disease Management
Full Service Weddings
5:00–7:00 p.m.: Networking Opportunity
Thursday, January 29
8:00 a.m.: Registration and Welcome Breakfast (Hallway)
8:45–10:00 a.m.:Keynote Panel: Building relationships between growers and florists
10:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.:
Agritourism
Social Media and Email Marketing
Heirloom Mums
12:30–1:45 p.m.: Lunch, Networking, and Visiting Tables
2:00–2:45 p.m.: Mini Sessions (topics may vary; locations posted in lobby)
Maine Flower Collective
Social Media
Sourcing Seeds and More
Partnerships and Collaborations
Pests and Diseases
Flower Farm Workers
Farming and Parenting
Finding Balance
Funding: Grants and More
Labor Movement
Yoga
3:00–5:00 p.m.:
Growing under Cover
Perennials
Post-Harvest Handling
5:15–5:30 p.m.: Closing Ceremony
Hotel Accommodations
Please reserve your room at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, Maine using the hotel block link below. We encourage you to book as soon as possible, as rooms are limited and expected to fill quickly. The discounted group rate will automatically apply when using the link:
Growing It Forward Scholarship Sponsored by von Trapp Flowers
Emily von Trapp
“Professional development is one of the most powerful ways a flower farmer can invest in themselves and grow. Workshops, conferences, and continuing education opportunities provide fresh ideas, and valuable connections that can transform not only your crops, but also your confidence and business. I understand that professional development can sometimes feel financially out of reach. This scholarship is designed to remove that barrier and give a flower farmer the opportunity to learn, connect, and grow without the weight of financial limitation. My goal is to help another farmer access the same kind of education and inspiration that have been instrumental in shaping my own growing journey. To that end, I would like to transfer my speaker honorarium to pay for a FITN Conference registration for a scholarship applicant.” – von Trapp Flowers
For consideration, please complete the scholarship form by December 24, 2025. We also encourage you to register for the conference if you are able. If you are selected for a scholarship, we will gladly refund your registration fee.
If you’re interested in sponsoring our 2026 event, please complete our sponsorship form.
We are deeply grateful and excited to bring this event together again!
On behalf of the FITN Planning Committee:
Alaena Robbins, Broadturn Farm
Julia Baecher, East of Eden Flower Farm
Lee Cline, Fox Hollow Flowers
Jason Lilley, UMaine Extension
Yours warmly and in gratitude,
Dr. Ankit K Singh
Organizer Contact
Ankit K. Singh, Ph.D.
Assistant Extension Professor
Maine Sustainable Agriculture and Ornamental Horticulture Educator
If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at least seven days before the program. This allows sufficient time to meet your request; however, all requests will be considered.
The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.
Ankit K. Singh, Ph.D.