Do we need flowers? Let’s hold off on that question for a minute. I know we need food and water, shelter and love, and the sun above — but flowers? As the economy ebbs and flows, elections are won and lost, our industry sits on the sidelines, watches and waits.

MANITOWOC, WI — Dramm Corp. is a family business almost 70 years old, but it has changed with the times to make it as new as a spring calf in its dairy farm surroundings of Manitowoc, WI. “We have evolved over the years, but our hallmark has always been quality products that last a lifetime,” said Jessica Reinhardt, marketing and public relations coordinator at Dramm.

Ann Jordan of Ann Jordan Design Consulting in Naples, ME, was installed as president of the American Institute of Floral Designers during the organization’s 2012 National Symposium, Caliente, held in Miami July 12-16. She succeeds Tom Bowling of Fitz Design in Fairfield, OH, as the volunteer leader of the floral design education organization.

MONTE VISTA, CO — Looking at a nice crop and good size this season, Monte Vista Potato Growers General Manager Steve Tillman said in late August he expects harvest to be in full swing by Sept. 17.

Potatoes will ship from October through June or early July of 2013, Mr. Tillman added.

More than 600 floral design artists from around the world gathered together in Miami, July 12-16, for Caliente, the 2012 National Symposium of the American Institute of Floral Designers, an educational extravaganza that featured 19 world-class floral design education programs, awards ceremonies and other entertaining events.

AIFD’s new president, Ann Jordan, was installed at the event and NORCAL, the California association of flower growers and shippers, received an Award of Merit for its assistance in staging the annual symposium over the years, an institute news release stated.

SANTA BARBARA, CA — Por La Mar Nursery is an example of a company that found a winning niche and built a business around it. Its patented mini-roses became hugely popular in the mid-1980s and it became one of the first to sell potted roses to supermarkets. Now it is adding a line of indoor plants in three-inch terra cotta and tin pots with “smart care tags” carrying real-time care information on QR codes.