Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Inc.

Name

Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Inc.

Legal name

Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Inc.

Website

https://ascfg.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Inc. is a 501(c)(6)-style nonprofit trade association serving 2,500+ commercial cut flower growers, farmer-florists, designers, wholesalers, and educators across the U.S. and Canada with membership dues, education, publications, supplier directories, scholarships, and a research foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services for Cut Flower Industry

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (81391)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDADAHAC

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Funding, Grants & Financial Aid Administration

Keywords

• Cut flower association
• Horticulture education
• Membership association
• Specialty cut flowers
• Floriculture research grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Oberlin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees ranging from $100 to $225 for individual members, with additional company memberships at $100 each. Lifetime memberships available at $2,000. This is the primary revenue stream supporting the association's operations and educational programs.
2. Supplier Memberships and Advertising: Supplier memberships (Gold $5,000, Silver $3,500, Bronze $1,275, Primary $225) and advertising in The Cut Flower Quarterly publication and Short Cuts newsletter generate significant revenue. Additional advertising opportunities include home page ads, Facebook sponsored posts, and webinar sponsorships.
3. Webinar Recordings and Publications: Sale of educational webinar recordings (Digging Deep, Flowers are Serious Business series at $100 each) and books (Specialty Cut Flowers, Woody Cut Stems, Postharvest Handling) at member and non-member pricing.
4. Donations to Research Foundation: 501(c)(3) Research Foundation accepts tax-deductible donations at various levels (Bronze $25, Silver $50, Gold $100, Platinum $300) to fund competitive research grants for universities and agricultural organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ASCFG is a nonprofit membership association that educates, unites, and supports commercial cut flower growers in North America through annual memberships ($100-$2,000), The Cut Flower Quarterly publication, the Members Only Learning Portal, LocalFlowers.org consumer directory, farm tours, webinar series, a Mentor Program, books and publications, scholarships, and the ASCFG Research Foundation (501(c)(3)) which funds competitive floriculture research grants.

Product overview

The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) is a professional membership organization offering a unified portfolio of member services and programs for commercial cut flower growers. The core offering centers on membership (with tiers from $225 annual to $2,000 lifetime) providing access to The Cut Flower Quarterly publication, LocalFlowers.org directory, and the Members Only Learning Portal (ascfgmembers.org). The organization supports the industry through the ASCFG Research Foundation (501(c)(3)), the Dave Dowling Scholarship ($2,000 annually to two students), and Professional Development Scholarships for BIPOC professionals and students. Educational offerings include the redesigned Mentor Program (Zoom-based cohorts), Farm Tours across North America, Webinar Recordings (Digging Deep and Flowers are Serious Business series), and books/publications. Annual Cut Flowers of the Year program recognizes outstanding varieties in Fresh, Bulb, Woody, and Foliage categories. Supplier and advertising partnerships provide additional member benefits and revenue streams.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ASCFG Membership Programs Annual membership program for commercial cut flower growers, farmer florists, florists, designers, wholesalers, and suppliers, with tiered pricing ($225 primary, $175 Canadian rate, $150 educator/extension, $100 student, $2,000 lifetime) and supplier packages (Primary $225, Bronze $1,275, Silver $3,500, Gold $5,000).
• The Cut Flower Quarterly Quarterly print and digital publication covering production and marketing of cut flowers, reaching 3,000+ growers across the U.S., Canada, and beyond, with member ad placement opportunities.
• Short Cuts Newsletter Monthly emailed newsletter keeping ASCFG members informed of news, events, and member opportunities; sold to suppliers as an advertising channel ($150/month or $1,500/year).
• LocalFlowers.org Directory Online directory connecting consumers with local cut flower growers, florists, and designers; available as a listing benefit for qualifying commercial grower members.
• Cut Flowers of the Year Program Annual selection program recognizing outstanding cut flower varieties based on ease of culture, productivity, and marketability, with categories for Fresh, Bulb, Woody, and Foliage Cut Flowers of the Year.
• ASCFG Mentor Program Zoom-based cohort mentorship program matching experienced cut flower growers with newer farmers across four tracks (Farmer-Florists/Weddings, Retail/DTC, Wholesale, Weddings & Events); cohorts of 15 participants with a 14-month commitment (20-30 hours total).
• ASCFG Webinar Recordings Recorded webinar series (Digging Deep, Flowers are Serious Business) covering business, legal, financial, production, and marketing topics for cut flower farmers; $100 per series for members.
• ASCFG Books and Publications Sale of specialty reference books including Specialty Cut Flowers 2nd Edition ($60-75), Postharvest Handling of Cut Flowers and Greens ($90-105), Woody Cut Stems ($80-95), The Flower Farmer ($40-45), Herbaceous Perennial Plants ($85-100), and Preserving Flowers and Foliage with Glycols & Dyes ($130-145).
• ASCFG Research Foundation 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a competitive grant program open to universities, governmental agencies, and other tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations conducting cut flower research; funded by member donations and the annual Research Auction at the National Conference.
• Dave Dowling Scholarship Annual $1,000 scholarship awarded to two students pursuing horticulture or floriculture degrees (total $2,000 per year), including one year of ASCFG membership.
• Professional Development Scholarships Registration scholarships for ASCFG Farm Tours available to BIPOC professionals and students enrolled in horticulture programs, supporting professional development and industry diversity.
• Farm Tours In-person educational farm tour events across North America held annually, with registration scholarships available to qualifying members.
• Classifieds Job postings and for-sale classified advertisements; free for ASCFG members and $100/month for non-members.
• Interns and Apprentices Resource Directory Directory linking to partner organizations offering internship and apprenticeship programs including American Floral Endowment, ATTRA, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and others.
• ASCFG Gift Certificates Gift certificates available in denominations of $50, $100, $150, $225 (membership cost), and $300, or custom amounts; delivered via email or mail.

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual Cut Flowers of the Year selections chosen by 2,500+ members guide industry variety selection

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• A RoominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024A Roo sponsored the Flowers are Serious Business 2024 webinar series.
• Farmer BaileyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Farmer Bailey sponsored the 2023 Digging Deep webinar series. They offer custom plug brokerage for cut flower farmers.
• Johnny's Selected SeedscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJohnny's Selected Seeds is a Gold Supplier member and Industry Liaison sponsor. They offer research-backed flower seeds and bulbs for cut flower production and feature ASCFG prominently on their website. Their team connects growers to optimal varieties and growing recommendations.
• InFlora Cut FlowerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInFlora represents a dedicated team of breeding, technical support, and industry experts that connects cut flower growers to optimal varieties, product forms, supply chain, and growing recommendations. They are featured on the ASCFG supporters page.
• Leo Berbee Bulb CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeo Berbee Bulb Company offers wholesale bulbs, bareroot perennials, and cut flower plugs. They are featured on the ASCFG supporters page and offer member discounts.
• Dutch Lily DaysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDutch lily breeders and exporters participating in Dutch Lily Days events. ASCFG members receive information about this industry event.
• American Floral EndowmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as an internship program provider for young growers seeking experience on working farms.
• Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as an internship/apprenticeship program provider for young growers seeking experience.
• North Carolina State University (NCSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCSU researchers (Dr. John Dole, Dr. Melinda Knuth) collaborate with ASCFG on research projects and present in webinars. NCSU's Cut Flower Extension program provides educational resources for the industry.
• PASA Sustainable AgricultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPASA Sustainable Agriculture collaborated on the 2023 Digging Deep webinar series with research on climate change and soil health impact on cut flower agriculture.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AmericanHort: The largest trade association for the horticulture industry in North America. Overlaps with ASCFG on greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture advocacy and education but operates at a much broader industry scope.
• Royal Horticultural Society: The UK's leading horticultural charity, with a comparable member-supported model of education, publications, awards (e.g., Award of Garden Merit), and research grants. Operates as a broad incumbent in the horticulture space rather than a cut flower specialist.
• National Gardening Association: U.S.-based nonprofit providing horticultural education, plant databases, and community resources. Competes for the attention of small-scale growers and the home horticulture market, with overlapping content and member models.
• American Farm Bureau Federation: The largest general U.S. agricultural trade association. While not focused on cut flowers, it competes for grower attention, dues dollars, and advocacy representation at the federal policy level.

Regional players

• Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario: Regional (Ontario) farmer association offering education, networking, and advocacy for ecological growers. Comparable in structure to ASCFG but focused on a Canadian regional farmer base and ecological production broadly, not specifically cut flowers.
• Flowers from the Farm: UK-based membership association for British cut flower growers. Operates a near-identical model to ASCFG (grower education, regional structure, local flowers directory) but for the UK market, making it a directly comparable regional peer.

Direct peers

• Society of American Florists: National trade association for retail florists and the broader floral industry. Operates a similar membership, education, advocacy, and events model as ASCFG but serves the retail/wholesale florist side rather than the grower side of the cut flower value chain.
• Slow Flowers Society: Membership-based community promoting locally and sustainably grown flowers. Closely aligned with ASCFG's mission around local flower sourcing, with overlapping members (growers, farmer-florists, designers) and similar consumer directory offerings.
• NAFDMA (International Agritourism Association): Membership association supporting farmers engaged in direct-to-consumer sales, on-farm experiences, and agritourism. ASCFG's farm tour programming and farmer-florist model parallel NAFDMA's structure, though focused on cut flowers rather than diversified farm experiences.

Emerging players

• Floret Flowers: A highly influential specialty cut flower farm and education brand that has built a large online community and educational offerings. While not a formal association, it functions as an emerging community hub competing for ASCFG's farmer-florist audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ascfg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ascfg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Inc.