The American Grown Flowers Field to Vase Dinner Tour

Launched on July 1, 2014, Certified American Grown Flowers represents a unified and diverse coalition of U.S. flower farms, including small and large entities in multiple states across the country. Certified American Grown flower farms participate in an independent, third-party supply-chain audit to verify both origin and assembly of the flowers they produce. When it appears in bouquets, bunches and other packaging or store signage, the Certified American Grown Flowers logo gives consumers confidence in the source of their flowers and assures them that the flowers they purchase come from a domestic American flower farm.

For the past three years, American Grown has hosted a Field to Vase Dinner Tour inviting guests nationwide to dine among the exquisite fields of America’s most stunning flower and foliage farms. The dinner tour is a cross-country series of elegant pop-up gatherings where seasonal, sustainable blooms dazzle on beautifully designed tablescapes, elegantly dressed by top U.S. floral designers, while well-known farm-to-table chefs prepare delicious meals.

At each unique meal and through the accompanying farm tour and floral design demonstrations, guests make a personal connection between flowers and agriculture as part of America’s floral landscape. They experience the age-old art and science of flower farming while being served platters of delicious, seasonal and locally grown fare through four courses, including specialty desserts accompanied by local wines, micro-brewed beers, and floral-inspired cocktails.

Last year, Alaskan farm Scenic Place Peonies hosted one of the dinners on tour. The dinner guests were taken on a journey through the peony fields with flower farmer Beth Van Sandt and her husband, Kurt Weichhand. After showing the peony fields, Beth and Kurt generously gave the dinner attendees full reign of their property to enjoy, explore and experience. Kelly Shore of Petals by the Shore was the featured floral designer, and she ingeniously incorporated authentic fishnets, shells, and glass fishing floats into her floral design to truly embrace the Alaskan culture.

Being surrounded by the beauty of nature and knowing that every flower you see in centerpieces, as well as the food prepared, were all sourced from a local American farm is quite a special and unforgettable experience. For more about participating farms, floral designers and chefs – and for 2018 reservations, tickets and travel information – visit the website, and follow @fieldtovasedinnertour on Instagram.

For more information about Certified American Grown Flowers, visit americangrownflowers.org.