Mastercourse alumni explore Brazilian floriculture in Holambra

First Mastercourse Meet Up sparks the future of floriculture!

Holambra was the stage of a 5-day program full of inspiration provided by, amongst others, Mastercourse alumni representing Sitio Kolibri, Ecoflora, Jan de Wit, Symphony and Joost Kalanchoe. Cooperative institutions like Insumos, Sicredi and of course Veiling Holambra provided a clear view on the current situation of Brazilian floriculture. Besides, there was room to enjoy Brazilian culture and to network with peers in the industry.

Participants were Mastercourse alumni coming from all over the world; from the Netherlands to North America and Mexico, Turkey, Slovenia, Kenya and Taiwan, and were impressed by the  professionalism of the floricultural sector in Brazil. ‘It is my first visit,’ said Marcel Boonekamp, production director Phalaenopsis at Green Circle Growers, ‘and I am truly impressed by the cooperative spirit and what they’ve built here since 1948. To me Brazil has been a useful reference to what we’re doing in Ohio, maybe even more useful than the Netherlands.’

Harry Kruger from Kenya added; ‘I signed up as soon as the announcement for this Meet Up was published, because I didn’t want to miss the chance of meeting again with former participants to the Mastercourse. From the moment we all arrived in Brazil we hit it off as if we have known each other for years already. It’s been very inspiring to learn more about Brazil and floriculture in this way, together with peers, to me that’s also the power of the Mastercourse concept.’

The Brazilian alumni, 8 in total, were delighted to receive this international group and show them what is happening in Holambra. ‘It’s been a great way to let people experience what we do here, how Brazil works and what it takes to build a business here. Multiple generations have been involved in building a blooming floriculture industry and now the next generation is slowly taking over, I am proud to share how we do this,’ said Simone van Oene of Joost Kalanchoe.

Jungle Talks thanks all participants to this first Meet Up, but also the sponsors they partnered with for this event. ‘Thanks to the contributions and support of Floricultura, Insumos, Sicredi and definitely also Veiling Holambra this event was a great success’, says Renee Snijders of Jungle Talks. While visiting Veiling Holambra, all participants were also guests to the first Brazilian Young Grower of the Year award ceremony. Linked to the AIPH Young International Grower of the Year Award (YIGOTY), every year handed out during the IPM in Essen, Veiling initiated this national award to put young growers in the spotlight. Winner Gabriela Walravens of Flor y Ser won a spot in the upcoming Mastercourse Floriculture in October/November and will automatically compete for the AIPH YIGOTY award as well.

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