Explore cut flowers, bedding plants, and hanging baskets.
The Summer Twilight Series kicks off with a tour of Flower Girls Greenhouse on May 18 at 6 p.m. Flower Girls began in 2018 when Chris Lueking and her daughters, Kiara, Cassandra, and Callie, started selling homegrown pumpkins, mums, and cut flowers at farmers’ markets. After graduating in 2022, Callie took on a larger role, expanding the business and opening a greenhouse. The operation now includes three large greenhouses offering annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, and tropical plants. Flower Girls is a preferred vendor for several wedding venues and creates custom bouquets for proms, homecomings, and other special occasions. Despite its growth, the business remains rooted in cut‑flower production, growing most of its blooms in high tunnels and field plots at the family farm in Woodlawn. Callie aims to supply at least 60% of the flowers used in wedding work from their own production, sourcing locally before purchasing wholesale.
Explore the Summer Twilight Series
Whether you're a local producer looking to diversify, have an interest in selling fresh products, or are simply curious about where your food comes from, these evening gatherings are your chance to connect directly with the people behind the region’s vibrant food and farm economy. The series offers four unique on-farm learning experiences throughout the growing season. Each event highlights a different farm or direct‑market operation, offering attendees a close look at a wide range of production practices, marketing approaches, and innovative strategies shaping local agriculture.
There is no cost to attend these in-person programs, but registration is required. To register online for any or all of the meetings in this series, visit go.illinois.edu/2026twilightseries or call 618-695-2441.