Floral Association of the Rockies (FAR)

The Floral Association of the Rockies (FAR) is dedicated to promoting comradery, professionalism, and integrity within the floral industry, while progressively addressing industry, technology and market trends. Their goal is to bring together floral wholesalers, retail florists,  floral design schools, and others associated with the floral industry in the Rocky Mountain Region. They sponsor educational workshops,  design events, newsletters, certification programs, and much, much more.

They are here to benefit, improve, and advocate for the floral community of the Rocky Mopuntains, and they are always looking to have more qualified members join them. You can apply for a membership online and go “Learn, Grow, and Bloom” with them.

 

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Floral Association of the Rockies shall be to advance the sale and service of floral products and related items and to encourage their distribution, care and handling by marketing, promoting and educating the industry and the general public. And to promote integrity, professionalism, and comradery within the floral industry, while progressively addressing industry, technology and market trends.

 

History

The Wholesale Florists of Colorado (WFC) was founded in the year of 1988 with the primary and important purpose of promoting the Wholesale floral industry in the state. The Colorado Retail Florists Association (CRFA) started under the umbrella of WFC through the initiative of a small group of industry-dedicated florists in the year of 2001. This group agreed that there was a need and a viable atmosphere for joining together to promote friendships, education, comradery, and much needed industry communication within the Rocky Mountain Region. With the support of WFC, CRFA staged and hosted hands on workshops across the state, as well as becoming involved with Industry Expos and Home Shows.

These two association served the retail and wholesale floral industry in Colorado proudly until the Fall of 2008. At that time, the Board of Directors of the Wholesale Florists of Colorado (WFC) and the Colorado Retail Florists Association (CRFA) began investigating the possibility of merging these two association into a new, expanded, and improved regional association.

As a response to the changes in the floral industry, the leaders of each association conducted a number of roundtable discussions. The idea of a new, combined organization was enthusiastically and excitedly embraced. The Board of Directors of each organization voted and agreed to merge and combine their retail, wholesale and allied members into a new and innovative regional organization entitled the Floral Association of the Rockies (FAR). The FAR Board of Directors was elected in November of 2008 and the association became fully functional on the first of January, 2009.

 

Scholarships

Denise Capelli Scholarship

Individuals who are working in the floral industry and want to advance their floral education can apply for up to $250.00 for one person for one year to be used for any combination of the educational opportunities provided through FAR. This includes, but is not limited, to the Certified Professional Florist (CPF) program, convention and Hands-On Workshop registration and fees, and membership dues.

Please closely and carefully review the Eligibility Requirements below to see if you qualify and are able to apply.

Eligibility Requirements:

•  Applicant must be employed and working in the floriculture industry, or show proof of enrollment in a course of study directly related to the retail floriculture industry.
• Applicant must have a clearly defined career goal, which relates directly to the industry's course of study.
• Applicants are chosen on the basis of their individual motivation towards a floriculture career path.

The scholarship will be issued in the form of a credit voucher, which will go directly to the FAR office in the applicant's name. All scholarships awarded are valid for an eighteen month period. Any funds not used within 18 months of being awarded will be rolled back into the general fund.

To apply, download the application now. You may also receive an application by writing to them and requesting the application:

Floral Association of the Rockies
4800 Dahlia Street 
Denver, CO 80216