The MFD certificate program has been developed in collaboration with the Master Floral Designer program at Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension.

Irina Sheshukova, K-State Research and Extension Floral design specialist and Floral design instructor leads the program. She has been an instructor for the Floral Design courses at Kansas State University since 2015. Irina is a Certified Floral Designer and Accredited Member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), an internationally recognized professional society in the floral industry. She has achieved recognition by the AIFD as a Certified Floral Evaluator and Judge.

The online course (Phase I) is led by Dr. Jim DelPrince, MSU Extension horticulture specialist. Dr. DelPrince has taught floral design at Mississippi State since 1992. He is a Laureate Member of the AIFD and the Professional Floral Communicators-International (PFCI). He was granted the AIFD Service to the Floral Industry award in 2016.

The MFD certificate program consists of three phases that participants complete consecutively to earn the certificate. The participants may elect to complete phases I and II only if they decide that the knowledge gained fulfills their educational needs. However, we strongly encourage participants to complete all three program phases to earn the MFD certificate from K-State Research and Extension.

Phase I

Phase I consists of completing an online one-semester course instructed by Dr. James DelPrince at MSU where the best practices and research-based information on floral care and handling, design principles (balance, proportion, rhythm, scale, unity, dominance, harmony), design elements (color, pattern, form, texture, space, line, fragrance, light), and numerous mechanics and accessories are introduced. The Canvas learning platform provides online materials, units, and tests. Phase I is offered three times per year during the fall (August-November), spring (January-April), and summer (May-August) semesters. Please note that at the end of the Phase I course, the educational videos are no longer accessible.

Registration fee is $395.00

 

 

Phase II

Phase II involves attending hands-on learning sessions and creating various floral designs. Phase II is developed, coordinated, and led by Mrs. Irina Sheshukova, an Extension Specialist and floral design instructor in the Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources at Kansas State University. The hands-on session is held for three to four consecutive days, in which each participant learns various designs, including corsages, a hand-tied bouquet, centerpieces, topiary, and more using a variety of mechanics and techniques learned in Phase I. Phase II sessions are offered two times in a year (Spring and Fall) and located on campus in Manhattan. All flowers, containers, tools, supplies, and lunches are included in the registration fee.

Registration fee is $995.00

Payment and Refund Policy

Once we procure the perishable materials, it is not possible for us to make a refund. Finished floral designs become the property of the MFD candidate.

Make Up Policy

This is a face-to-face program; the floral materials used in the class are perishable, therefore make-up sessions are not possible.

Registration COMING SOON for Phase II Spring 2025 Session: May 13 to 16

 

Phase III

Phase III allows you to share what you learned in Phases I and II with target communities by completing 40 hours of Extension volunteering. This service component of the MFD program can involve different non-profit activities that promote the benefits of floral design. Examples include teaching others how to create a specific design, floral design for places of worship, promoting the MFD program, designing for community spaces, and many others. Participation in floral design workshops offered by the MFD program throughout the year can be counted toward up to 10 volunteering hours on a case-by-case basis.

Successful completion of 40 approved volunteer hours is necessary to achieve the MFD certificate issued by K-State Research and Extension. After completing the MFD certificate, former participants are encouraged to keep an active status by conducting and reporting up to 20 hours per year of education and/or volunteering activities.

Volunteer service hours can include:

Extension Education

Assistance that directly relates to supporting the K-State Research and Extension MFD program.

Teaching

Teaching others about floral design; for example, garden club demonstrations, hands-on workshops for church or civic groups, providing a demonstration. Judging floral design competitions for county fairs. Using your skills (photography, art, writing, marketing efforts) to increase floral design awareness and education.

Practice

Any non-profit floral design projects accomplished; examples include arrangements donated to nursing homes, arranging flowers for church or community events, etc.

Continuing Education

Compile a figure for the total hours spent learning about floral design. This can include workshops, lectures, and demonstrations you have attended, in person or online. Your learning can occur from K-State and other sources, including books, magazines, and other learning materials about floral design.

You may or may not have accrued hours under each category, so do not worry about that. Please do report any/all hours served. Your time is most valuable! K-State Research and Extension is interested in the volunteer impact of MFDs. This is important to the program.

The deadline for Volunteer Hours reported to Mrs. Irina Sheshukova is December 31. Pins are mailed in the spring semester.