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Feature 30 November | 2021 FarmGal Flowers | Orlando, Fla. While Eileen Tongson admits having taken more than her fair share of good-natured kidding, her aptly named FarmGal Flowers is a well-respected part of the Orlando, Fla., community. Starting in 2014, a segment of FarmGal Flowers operates at the East End Market, a local artisanal food hall, which comprises a community keenly interested in the "living locally" concept. Tongson, who loves to teach and formerly taught at the University of Florida, noticed that there seemed to be a fair amount of interest in flower arranging and gardening- related classes in her market. Described as an urban specialty cut flower farm and floral design studio, FarmGal Flowers began offering off-site workshops in 2015. "My goal is to inspire and encourage my students," Tongson shares. "When they complete a project, they are happy. And workshops have become our primary revenue stream." Although she is often asked to host workshops on specific dates and at specific times, Tongson says that, from a logistical standpoint, it is easier and less time consuming for her to plan workshops on her own schedule. Pricewise, Tongson says her workshops are $55 and up per person, but prices vary depending on the topic. "Most of our workshops are all inclusive in terms of supplies," she acknowledges, adding that she does offer themes for her workshops and that her holiday-themed workshops are most popular. "e exception is our succulent and pumpkin workshops. I ask the students to bring their own pumpkins because they often want a particular color, and it is difficult for me to transport that many pumpkins to my shop and then to an event space. I also encourage students to bring their own floral snips, gardening gloves, notebooks and pens." She adds: "I usually allow students to select their own flowers, but I provide them with instructions regarding how many of each type they can have. I always have an assistant working with me to help manage things at each workshop." Tongson says that initially all of her workshops were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but once things began loosening up, she began teaching in person again, with smaller-sized classes, about a year ago. She commonly holds her workshops at local venues, including Leu Gardens, East End Market and Edible Education Experience—three locations where she grows her flowers but that also have classrooms in which she can teach. "All of these locations are within three miles of my home," Tongson notes. FarmGal Flowers also offers online workshops. "While I prefer in-person workshops, I teach quite a bit online now," Tongson states. "I get a lot of requests from students who do not live in the area or cannot attend one of my in-person classes." Blooms on Boswell | Topeka, Kan. e affable Lori McNorton, proprietor, chief designer and gift buyer of Blooms on Boswell in Topeka, Kan., says she and her team have been leading workshops for the past two-and-a-half years. Shortly after purchasing her shop in January 2019, McNorton began offering workshops as a way to bring customers in. "I love working with the public and helping them realize that they just might have more of a creative side than they think," she explains. "And, I especially love working with children and watching them create." Blooms on Boswell

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