Petals & Progress: Empowering Growers with Cut Flower Cultivation

Commodities

• Additional Plants: cut flowers

Practices

• Crop Production: fertigation, fertilizers, foliar feeding, greenhouses, high tunnels or hoop houses, irrigation
• Education and Training: demonstration, display, extension, on-farm/ranch research, technical assistance, workshop, youth education
• Farm Business Management: budgets/cost and returns, community-supported agriculture, marketing management, new enterprise development
• Pest Management: chemical control, cultivation, integrated pest management

Project Focus: The Delmarva Peninsula is home to an increasing number of small-scale, women, and veteran farmers seeking viable alternatives to diversify their operations through high-value specialty crops. Surveys conducted by the project PI during the 2024-2025 Bay Area Fruit School and UMES Small Farm Conference revealed that over 83% of participating farmers (N=45) were interested in cut flower cultivation. However, 41.7% identified a lack of technical expertise and access to targeted training as major barriers. Dahlias, zinnias, and gladiolus flowers rarely imported due to their delicate nature and short vase life present an ideal opportunity for local production. These crops are market-friendly, require minimal acreage, and align well with the region's soil and climate. Farmers also expressed interest in creating a farm-to-vase niche market, beginning with local CSA models and expanding outreach to local businesses through partnerships with Chambers of Commerce. A team of service providers is working together to overcome existing challenges.

Solution and Approach: This project proposes a three-year professional development initiative that will train 30 agricultural service providers across the Delmarva Peninsula. The program includes seasonal, hands-on workshops at UMES and demonstration farms, supported by digital modules, printed production guides, and training videos. Trainees will apply their skills by providing direct support to at least 75 small-scale farmers. Training will emphasize sustainable production of environmentally adapted cut flower crops, integrated pest management, season extension using high tunnels, and cost-effective marketing strategies. To support long-term impact, the project will promote the development of local floral CSA programs and strengthen the movement toward "locally grown, farm-to-vase" flowers. Engagement with regional Chambers of Commerce will further promote locally produced flowers to retailers, florists, and consumers. This initiative advances Northeast SARE's outcome statement by enhancing farm viability, environmental stewardship, and improving quality of life through regionally adapted, floriculture-based economic opportunities.

Performance Target: By the end of the project, 30 agricultural service providers (including extension agents, non-profit farm educators, and horticulture specialists) will incorporate new knowledge and skills related to cut flower production-including dahlia, zinnia, and gladiolus cultivation, integrated pest management (IPM), post-harvest handling, and market development-into their regular work with farmers. These trained service providers will go on to teach, advise, and assist at least 75 small-scale, women, veteran, and beginning farmers across the Delmarva Peninsula. They will deliver support through one-on-one consultations, on-farm visits, farmer field days, and local workshops. Providers will help farmers adopt regionally adapted floriculture practices, use IPM methods, extend the growing season, and access local markets through CSA programs and direct-to-consumer floral sales. Verification of service provider action will be achieved through participant logs, follow-up evaluations, and documented outreach activities. Each provider will submit reports detailing how their work supported farmers in planning or implementing cut flower systems. Collectively, this will result in a measurable increase in the technical and market readiness of farmers to engage in profitable, small-scale cut flower production in Maryland.

Farmer Performance Target: By the end of the project, at least 45 small-scale farmers will adopt improved cut flower production practices.