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Cut Flowers - Beautiful Dream or Risky Business?

Carla Crim

Summary

Nationwide, there has been a big shift in floral trends. Brides, romantics, and home-decorators alike are opting for farm-fresh sunflowers, dahlias, and zinnias over imported roses and carnations. As with the local foods movement, conscious buyers want their flowers in-season, organic, and sustainably produced. In response, thousands of small flower farms have popped up around the country. Flower farming is unique in that most growers are female, and many come into the business without prior agricultural experience. Our project provided new and existing flower farmers with the tools and support needed to manage the production and marketing risk involved in growing cutting varieties. Our educational efforts were geared towards growers in colder climates (USDA zones 5a through 3a), but drew participants from around the country. We offered a total of 12 virtual weekly workshops focused on hot topics in cut flower production, with heavy emphasis on risk management. Presenters included seasoned growers, industry representatives, and Extension experts. Live attendance was healthy, and subsequently published recordings have been viewed by thousands. For in-person regional engagement, we facilitated a cut-flower track at the Catskill Regional Agriculture Conference. Additionally, at the peak of summer, we hosted a summer intensive with tours and hands-on activities for attendees. Throughout the project, we provided farm visits and consultations to a small cohort of local producers.

Details

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