Four years ago, a connection was made between Anna Coy, owner of Blooms in Hand in Verona, and Morgan’s Farm in Cedar Grove. From it came a flower-arranging workshop called Farm to Vase which teaches event-goers how to arrange flowers that they hand-cut from Morgan Farm’s gardens. Read on to learn more about this flower arranging event and the good cause behind it.
How It Came to Be
Anna Coy teaches flower and wreath arranging events throughout the year in clients’ homes as well as in her shop in Verona, Blooms in Hand. Upon connecting with Morgan’s Farm, Anna, and the volunteers who handle all of the property’s farming, planted gardens that now produce flowers for the Farm to Vase events.
The Farm to Vase events are held between the months of July and September, and part of the proceeds go to Morgan’s Farm. The 14-acre property in Cedar Grove was gifted to the town upon owner Courtenay Morgan’s death, and the farmhouse and the land are now operated entirely by volunteers and funded by donations. The produce grown and sold at Morgan’s Farm helps keep operations going and, now, Farm to Vase is assisting as well.
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The gardens have an array of species to choose from such as snapdragons, zinnias, sunflowers, dahlias, and different grasses. This event gives participants the opportunity to choose the size, color, and types of flowers they would like in their arrangement.
The Experience
Upon arrival at Morgan’s Farm, you are greeted by a cheerful Anna and given a bucket and pruning shears so you can choose, cut, and collect your own flowers to arrange. After a quick walk down the hill, you are led into two large, beautiful gardens full of flowers.
Once the group has filled their buckets, participants are led back up the hill to the second floor of Morgan Farm’s barn for the class. Anna provides multiple types of greens, as well as a recycled glass vase, for each attendee.
Anna then goes step-by-step through the bouquet-making process so you can learn how to put together a spectacular arrangement. She explains each type of green, how it should be arranged within the flowers, and what purpose it serves within the vase. From there, you start to insert your freshly cut flowers. Anna is happy to answer any questions or offer assistance with your arrangement so you can create a stunning floral piece.
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The events are $65 to attend and you can sign up on Blooms in Hand’s website. Attendees are allowed to bring their own booze and snacks if they choose. It’s a great event for you and your friends to get outside, enjoy some nature, and learn to make bouquets while sipping your favorite glass of wine.
To learn more about Blooms in Hand and its upcoming workshops, follow the shop on Instagram at @bloomsinhand.