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The app benefits both Ohio cut flower growers and buyers. Initially, five cut flower growers partnered with CSU Extension to help develop the app. These growers spent a year collecting data on their production season, which helped identify when cut flowers are available in Ohio. This information aids buyers in searching for flowers by zip code and availability date, enhancing grower-buyer relationships and increasing sales. The application is still in the testing and development phase, as more cut flower growers are helping CSU Extension with pilot testing. The plan is to launch next year. "This app is a game-changer for our growers," said Michelle Wallace, Regional ANR Extension Educator, Northwest. "It will greatly improve communication between growers and buyers, and we expect to see a significant increase in the market share of locally sourced cut flowers." Funding for the app development was through a grant from USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. The grant leveraged participation with the existing MarketMaker platform to reduce costs.
For more information, contact Michelle Wallace, Regional ANR Extension Educator, Northwest, at mwallace@centralstate.edu, or Marc Amante, Interim ANR Program Leader and Regional Extension Educator, Southwest, at mamante@centralstate.edu. availability, colors, and purchase locations. The app was recently awarded second runner-up for the Farm Credit Market Maker Innovation Award at the National Agricultural Marketing Summit The app aims to be a one-stop-shop for locally sourced cut flowers, improving connections between growers and prospective buyers by providing real-time information on flower
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