BILOXI, Miss. -- Two upcoming events will offer insight on sustainable practices in floral design for new and established professional florists, flower producers and flower sellers.

Both events will be held Aug. 25 at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, located at 1815 Popp’s Ferry Road.

Wanda Norton will lead participants during Vase Arrangement: Foundational Learning, a hands-on workshop open to new and established professional florists. The workshop begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 10 a.m. Preregistration is required, and the fee is $60 per person. Registration closes Aug. 18. There will be no on-site registration and no refunds. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/4k2bdrak.

Norton is an Extension Master Floral Designer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener. She also owns and operates a home-based floral business. Norton will teach design techniques using local materials with a focus on sustainability.

The lecture and demonstration Go for the Holidays! Focus on Sustainability will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. The presentation is open to professional florists, floral enthusiasts and others interested in floral design. Preregistration is required, and the fee is $20 per person. Registration closes Aug. 18. There will be no on-site registration and no refunds. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/3dtnc3s8.

Speakers are Tricia Knight, an MSU research professor in floriculture and ornamental horticulture based at the MSU South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station; Jim DelPrince, an MSU horticulture specialist and associate Extension professor; and Ty Leslie, an internationally recognized floral designer and speaker from Charleston, South Carolina, who has held careers in floral retailing, wholesaling, manufacturing, production and mass-market.

Speakers will address how retail florists, flower producers and sellers can use sustainable methods, materials and techniques in their businesses. Presentations will include the use of local ornamental foliage and demonstrations of various holiday floral designs using sustainable techniques, materials and construction methods.

MSU is an equal opportunity institution. For disability accommodation, contact Jim DelPrince at [email protected].