Virginians could soon see an increase in availability of locally grown cut flowers due to the efforts of one man.

Andy Hankins, an extension specialist in alternative agriculture with Virginia State University (VSU), received a $25,000 grant in 2006 from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Specialty Agriculture Program, to aid him in boosting the state's population of cut flower growers.

"There truly is room in the market for more production of cut flowers in the state ... there are hardly any flower farms in Virginia," says Hankins, who adds that farmers from other areas produce about 99 percent of flowers sold in Virginia.

He used the grant earlier in the year to supply 12 Virginia farmers and landowners with about $2,000 of growing supplies each. The program participants were able to plant several rows of flowers on their properties with supplies including seeds, bulbs, flats, books about growing flowers and materials for weed control. "The point was to  ... just give these farmers the chance to [grow] flowers without risking their own money," Hankins says.

And, how are the new flower growers doing a year out? "Nine of the 12 really enjoyed it, did real well and want to continue," he says. "I was happy to see a majority of new growers."

Brenda Morris, a landowner in Sussex County who participates in the program, says it "has been a success and an eye-opener." She grows flowers, including Asiatic lilies, peonies, sunflowers and gladiolas, on a 150- by 300-foot patch of land and sells them at her local farmers market. "We have already expanded [the growing area] and are planting for next year," she says. She says she does not, however, have enough quantity yet to sell to local florists.

To keep up interest in local flower growing, Hankins holds field day meetings in various Virginia locations, which are publicized through the media department at VSU, to "show other landowners 'here is something you might add on your farm,'" he says. One such meeting, held recently in King and Queen County, drew more than 100 people.

--Vanessa Machir
vmachir@safnow.org

 

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