Digital News Report – Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) encourages consumers to buy California grown flowers for Mother’s Day to help support local growers. Competition from imported flowers in the US is making it difficult for local flower growers to stay in business.
California accounts for over 75 percent of the domestic flowers grown in the United States. Overall, 20 percent of the flowers sold in the United States are from California growers. Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) said that by buying California grown flowers, consumers could help over 10,000 growers in the floral industry. The majority of the flower growers are in the Central Coast region of California. They grow mostly Roses, Calla Lily, and Gerbera Daisies.
“Flowers are a great way of putting a smile on our mother’s faces on Mother’s Day,” said Congressman Sam Farr. “Buying local flowers will not only ensure you get fresh beautiful flowers to celebrate Mother’s Day, but it will also go a long way in supporting our local flower growers.”
A big problem faced by local flower growers is the increased competition from international growers. According to Rep. Farr, growers in Colombia receive millions of dollars in subsidies from the government; this makes it difficult for California growers to compete. That is why Rep. Farr along with 40 other California Congressional Delegation members wrote a letter to President Obama asking for changes in the Colombia Free Trade Agreement to address the flower trade.
By Victoria Brown