Why choose local flowers?

When you buy locally grown flowers, you will get more time with your flowers! Buying from local flower farmers is much like buying locally grown foods. It supports the local economy and can become a form of activism by standing against harsh chemicals and pesticides. It can also help diminish carbon emissions by preventing the transport of flowers from across the world to your area.

Did you know that 80% of the cut flowers sold in the USA are imported from other countries? This means that your flowers have traveled thousands of miles before they reach your table, often cut weeks before even buying them and treated with pesticides and preservatives. Take, for example, Valentine’s Day, it’s estimated that the roughly 100 million roses grown for a typical Valentine’s Day in the United States produce about 9,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions! Almost all of these roses will have been flown in from Latin America, specifically Colombia and Ecuador, the world’s second and third-largest exporters of cut flowers after the Netherlands. After the flowers are flown in, they have to be transported on refrigerated trucks which have greater carbon emissions and use more fuel than their non-refrigerated counterparts. Those red roses on Valentine’s Day aren’t sounding quite as good now, are they?

How your flowers are grown impacts not only the health of the farm where they’re grown, but also the health and safety of the workers handling them, and you, the consumer, enjoying them.  If you are interested in finding out more about the chemicals typically applied to imported flowers, this is a shocking article:

A Valentine classic: Roses dipped in chemicals

When it comes to buying flowers, choose local! If the flowers you want are not in season, consider purchasing gift certificates, joining a CSA, or opting for dried flower arrangements made from locally grown flowers. Similar to the farm-to-table movement, many conscious consumers are now choosing flowers that are grown in America.

At my farm, I use sustainable and chemical-free practices to grow our flowers while also protecting the soil. I take great pride in the fact that our blooms attract a wide variety of insects, which are important pollinators and pest controllers. Therefore, I work hard to ensure that the farm is safe for these insect friends. You can breathe easy while enjoying our flowers, as they are fresh and safe to touch. When you choose to buy flowers from Misty Meadows Flower Farm, you are supporting a local family & farmer that grows flowers with care and love.