The demand for quality, locally grown cut flowers is stronger than ever. I believe supply chain issues and the desire for people to support their local economy right here at home have a lot to do with that. I have been doing this for 21 years now and for the last two years I have not been able to produce enough flowers to meet demand. I grow as many as I can with my given amount of labor.
That is the stumbling block, good workers are difficult to find. Most people have a hard time with the crazy hours and urgency of this business. Also, the fact that it is seasonal makes it hard to retain good workers year after year. I was fortunate enough to hire two new guys this year to replace my two previous workers who had been with me for 7 years…who were amazingly efficient and just great guys. The new guys, with the addition of another guy who has worked for me on and off for 10 years, did an awesome job this year. It’s rare to find the work ethic in teenagers these days and I am truly grateful.
If I hadn’t lost my last 3 plantings of sunflowers to a violent storm, I would have had my best year ever with the help of these three. I guess you could say that’s how it grows in the cut flower business.