US (CA): Rene Van Wingerden wins CCFC Floral Design Challenge

Rene Van Wingerden of Ocean Breeze Floral Farms won this year’s Floral Design Challenge. Hosted by the California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC), the Floral Design Challenge was created to engage California lawmakers to help raise the profile of California’s flower farmers in Sacramento and to help kickoff June as California Grown Flowers Month.

Pictured left to right: Benno Dobbe, Rene Van Wingerden, Lane DeVries and George Soares.

However, the state Assembly decided to work late (until 9 p.m.), which prevented the four legislators from being able to compete at this year’s legislative reception. So instead of the four lawmakers that were scheduled to compete, the CCFC grabbed their own flower farmers: Lane DeVries of Sun Valley Floral Farms, Benno Dobbe of Holland America and Rene Van Wingerden of Ocean Breeze Farms, along with CCFC’s lobbyist George Soares of Kahn, Soares and Conway. Not what they had signed up for that night, but they all took the stage and competed against each other for this year’s bragging rights.

When the petals settled and clippers were down, reception guests were invited to vote for their favorite design. And despite early indications that he wouldn’t be able to finish his design in the five minutes allowed, Rene Van Wingerden was this year’s Floral Design Challenge winner.

Source: Origin Matters