Introduction to Freelance: Conditioning Lab

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This project management program offers a unique and immersive experience that delves into flower care, conditioning, and identification. Students will be presented with a diverse range of flowers, each requiring specific care and attention. Through this hands-on class, students will learn the intricacies of conditioning, processing, organizing, and accounting for the flowers, mirroring the challenges and responsibilities faced by florists and freelancers in managing product for multiple projects simultaneously.

By engaging in this simulated exercise, students will develop essential project management skills including time management, resource allocation, task prioritization, and communication. They will also gain insights into the importance of adaptability, problem-solving, and creativity in successfully navigating the dynamic and fast-paced world of freelancing.

Please note that this program is a floral conditioning workshop only; students will not be creating floral arrangements during this session.

For Floral Design Program students, this course is combined with 104: Introduction to Freelance for a full-day course.

About the Instructor: Calvert Crary, Executive Director of FlowerSchool NY & LA

An internationally recognized instructor and mentor, Calvert has taught programs across the United States, Holland, Mexico and Australia. He hasbeen invited to design tables at the prestigious Orchid Dinner at The Plaza Hotel, spoken to Garden Clubs across America, and served as a judge at the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show. Calvert has trained and coached thousands of students on how to work in the floral industry with top designers, start new businesses, or reorganize existing floral businesses into thriving careers.

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In addition to his teaching and leadership roles, he is the author of influential books on floral design, including Flower School: A Practical Guide to the Art of Flower Arranging, and has co-authored The Encyclopedia of Cut Flowers. He was featured in The New York Times “Sunday Routine” section this past July 2025.

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What you can expect:

• Half Day of Class

• Studio time to practice floral conditioning & care with hands-on experience handling premium flowers

• Real-world experience as a freelancer

• Floral aprons, tools, and other supplies will be provided for use during this program. Please note that personal sets of supplies to take home are only included with enrollment in our 2-Day Introduction to Design Series.

What you will learn:

• Essential project management skills such as time management, resource allocation, task prioritization, and communication

• Entrepreneurial skills of adaptability, problem-solving, and creativity in successfully navigating the dynamic and fast-paced world of freelancing.

• Introduction to flower types & identification, a skill necessary for professional florists