Five years ago, the U.S. Census of Agriculture estimated that the number of Virginia cut flower producers had jumped from 117 in 2007 to 227 in 2012.
Even more producers have entered the field since then, raising flowers for the floral bouquet market.
The 2019 Cut Flower Growers Conference on March 13 and 14 at the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center will offer newcomers and experienced growers a chance to learn more about cut flower opportunities.
Raising flowers has many advantages for small-scale producers, according to Virginia State University’s Small Farm Outreach program. They’re a high-value crop that can be raised on a small footprint, requiring only a few people to raise them. And if growers use a high tunnel or a greenhouse they can sell their products year-round.
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