EDUCATION

Chairman - Lou Cook

The Arkansas Florists Assocation is dedicated to the advancement of floriculture in the state of Arkansas.

The Education Committee is committed to bringing each of our members and their employees quality, affordable educational opportunities.  Our objective is to further the professional floral industry in the state of Arkansas and to enable you to attain your greatest potential as a floral designer and/or manager.  Ultimately we wish for you to be successful and your business profitable. 

THE PROFESSIONAL FLORIST CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

The Certification Program will begin again in 2009   

The Certified Florist Program is divided into three segments

Design Production Certification

Flower Shop Management Certification

Master Florist Certification

The FLOWER SHOP MANAGEMENT segment consists of six lecture classes.  These classes include Customer Relations, Delivery, Merchandising, Employee Relations, Advertising and Promotions and Daily Business Prodcedures.  These classes are geared toward members at all levels of experience and are beneficial to all flower shop employees and shop owners alike.

The Design Production segment consists of six classes, three lectures and three hands on design workshops.  Lecture classes include Care and Handling of Cut Flowers and Foliages, Principles of Design, and Care and Handling of Foliage and Flowering Plants.The hands on workshops include Current Design Trends, Wedding Design Techniques and Sympathy Design Techniques.  To participate in these classes one must have completed the First Steps classes offered by the association or been employed as a designer on a full time basis for a minimum of 2 years or on a part time basis for 4 years.  These classes are not for the novice designer with little or no experience. 

You may choose to receive certification in either Flower Shop Management and/or Design Production after you have successfully completed all the courses of study and testing in those classes. 

The Arkansas Master Florist Certification requires students successfully complete all the above 12 courses of study and then pass the comprehensive written and hands on testing covering all the materials presented in all 12 courses.  When these requirements are successfully completed a Master Florist certificate and pin will be awarded. 

ARKANSAS MASTER FLORIST GRADUATES

In order to keep up to date with educational opportunities or events of interest to our graduates, please help us keep up to date on their whereabouts.  If you know of a change of address or place of employment on any of our graduates, please  contact Lou Cook by mail at—300 Ranch Ridge Ct. Jacksonville, AR 72076  or by phone or fax at 501-983-4314