Agriculture & Natural Resources
Growing Cut Flower Farms with Marketing App
By Crystal Duckett
ut flower growers in Ohio will have a new marketing tool to connect with buyers interested in locally grown flowers. Central State University Extension’s Agriculture and Natural Resource (ANR) program area has developed an extension to a marketing app that provides a communication channel for cut-flower growers. In the app, known as FlowersInSeason, growers can create profiles detailing the flowers growing on their farm, farm locations, and how customers can purchase the flowers. Growers also have the option to link to their online store or create one through the application. Buyers can search for cut flowers by zip code, flower type, color, and availability date. The app features a map showing all cut flower growers in a region, to help buyers find the farms. Marc Amante, CSU Extension's Regional ANR Educator in Southwest Ohio, was inspired to develop the app after a group of cut flower growers expressed a need for better communication with buyers.
"Historically, florists grew and sold their own flowers, but high labor costs led to a shift towards importing flowers from overseas, primarily South America, which devastated the U.S. floriculture industry," Amante explained. "Recently, there has been a renewed interest in locally grown and sourced cut flowers, which offer desirable and diverse varieties with short shelf lives unsuitable for long-distance shipping but perfect for local markets."
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