STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi-grown foliage, flowers and value-added floral products will be the focus of creative demonstrations at Mississippi State University on Sept. 15.

The free demonstrations will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Bost Extension Center. Described as a “flower, farmer, florist spectacular,” the event is open to people of all ages and backgrounds who are interested in growing, selling and designing natural arrangements.

Jim DelPrince, horticulture specialist with the MSU Extension Service, is overseeing the educational, informative and entertaining program.

“Mississippi’s lush foliage, curvy vines and myriad of flowers have great monetary value for floral markets, including farmers markets, wholesale florists, florists and brokers,” he said. “Participants will see how to use these materials and to be creative with natural products from our state.”

The program will feature sunflowers grown by Coastal Ridge Farms in Picayune, flowers by Happy Trails Flower Farm in Dennis, containers by David Mills of Courtland, and pottery by Jason Wilson of Sumrall and by Robert Long of Starkville.

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is funding the project through a U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Grant Program.

While registration is not required, anticipating numbers will help with program planning. Go to http://www.coastal.msstate.edu for registration links.