Americans spend more than $26 billion annually on floral products each year. In the U.S., there are more than 23,000 establishment in floral industry, which includes florist establishments, wholesaler and floriculture growers. Out of all those flowers purchased to sell, only 20% are American- grown. The top exporters of flowers globally are Colombia and Ecuador. In the US, majority of the flowers grown, come from California.  

Kentucky has an ideal climate for raising many varieties of cut flowers, and there are many new flower farms in the state popping up each year. Established produce farms are also looking into adding cut flowers in as a rotational crop and to increase pollinators on their farms. With little information available for the Land Grant Universities in the state, the Organic Association of KY (OAK) and the Boyle Co. Horticulture Agent put together a session at the OAK annual meeting to talk about basic cut flower production practices and marketing.  

Attendees received an overview of everything from what to plant, tools of the trade, harvesting stage, and post-harvest treatments, to where to market and pricing basics.  

There were 44 attendees in the class, of those: 

• 84% reported that they learned something useful. 

• 16% reported that they possibly did. 

• 80% reported that they would use knowledge gained within the next year 

• 20% reported they possible would. 

• 68% reported they would attend another session with the Boyle Co. Agent 

• 32% indicated they possibly would. 

Comments included: 

• “Session should have been longer to allow more time to cover topics.” 

• “Need more in-depth info on specific growing techniques.” 

• “Would like to see information on what plants grow best here.” 

These comments are a positive indicator that there is interest in growing and marketing cut flowers in KY and there is an opportunity for more education in the future.