“There are many flower growers who are equally active at the state level. It’s just a little out of the ordinary ... because they’re women in an all-man’s arena. They stand out,” says Guy Tingos, deputy agricultural commissioner for Santa Barbara County. The story of how each woman became involved in flowers is as distinctive and individual as a single rose’s bloom.
After marrying Dutch flower grower Rene Van Wingerden, June Van Wingerden found herself as a public relations specialist for Ocean Breeze nursery, promoting gerbera daisies, chrysanthemums, orchids and hydrangeas. She only got involved with politics accidentally when she voiced her frustrations about current zoning restrictions to a lobbyist from the Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau.
“He said [that we should pass a law] that makes greenhouses the same as open ag land,” says Van Wingerden.
As she worked to change existing legislature, Van Wingerden says that her gender and naiveté helped her politically. “As one assemblyman told me,” says Van Wingerden, “The women who come from CWA (California Women for Agriculture) speak from the heart. No one is paying them. They’re not trading favors. Sometimes not being [politically] savvy works in your favor.”
In 2005, California Law AB 365 was approved, making the zoning for greenhouse land equivalent to open fields. Van Wingerden continues to influence the industry as president of the Santa Barbara County Flower and Nursery Growers Association. Van Wingerden credits her husband’s Dutch values as a factor in her success.
“I’ve noticed that Holland has always treated women as equals. Our opinion is valued,” says Van Wingerden.
LEFT, the magic of nature and the marvels of science create Carpinteria’s cut-flower industry.
40 CARPINTERIAMAGAZINE
COLLIN
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