06.12.18

Senators Introduce Resolution in Support of American Flower Industry

Washington, DC —Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) today introduced a resolution to designate July as “American Grown Flower Month” and encourage consumers to buy “Certified American Grown” flowers.

American consumers spend almost $27 billion per year on floral products each year. While the majority of consumers would prefer to buy locally-grown flowers, only 20 percent of the flowers sold here were grown in the United States.

“California grows nearly 75 percent of American-grown cut flowers – including tulips, gerbera daisies, lilies, irises and gladiolas,” said Senator Feinstein. “Americans want to support local businesses and growers, but often are unaware the flowers they’re purchasing were grown outside of the United States. Our resolution will help raise awareness and encourage consumers to look for the ‘certified American grown’ label before buying flowers.”

“Alaska’s moderate weather and cool soil conditions allows for a growing season that brings beautiful American grown flowers to market throughout the summer,” said Senator Sullivan. “In Alaska, our local peony growers – family owned farms across our state  – provide some of the most beautiful and saturated blooms to weddings and events around the country; well after the traditional growing season has passed in other states. American Grown Flower Month is only one small acknowledgment of the value and support we share for these local small business owners, but an important one.”

“California growers proudly supply Americans with foods and products used across the country, including many of flowers we share with our friends and loved ones” said Senator Harris. “As Americans increasingly look to support local businesses, it’s important that we give local flower growers the recognition they deserve. I’m proud to cosponsor this resolution and support our local growers in California and across the country.”

The full text of the resolution follows:

Expressing the sense of the Senate that flowers grown in the United States support the farmers, small businesses, jobs, and economy of the United States, that flower farming is an honorable vocation, and designating July as “American Grown Flower Month.”

Whereas cut flower growers in the United States are hard-working, dedicated individuals who bring beauty, economic stimulus, and pride to their communities and the nation;

Whereas the people of the United States have a long history of using flowers and greens grown in the United States to bring beauty to important events and express affection for loved ones;

Whereas consumers spend almost $27,000,000,000 each year on floral products, including cut flowers, garden plants, bedding, and indoor plants;

Whereas nearly 30 percent of households in the United States purchase fresh cut flowers and greens from more than 16,000 florists and floral establishments each year;

Whereas the people of the United States increasingly want to support domestically produced foods and agricultural products and would prefer to buy locally grown flowers whenever possible, yet a majority of domestic consumers do not know where the flowers they purchase are grown;

Whereas in response to increased demand, the “Certified American Grown Flowers” logo was created in July 2014 in order to educate and empower consumers to purchase flowers from domestic producers;

Whereas, as of April 2017, millions of stems of domestically grown flowers are now “Certified American Grown”;

Whereas domestic flower farmers produce thousands of varieties of flowers across the United States, such as peonies in Alaska, Gerbera daisies in California, lupines in Maine, tulips in Washington, lilies in Oregon, and larkspur in Texas;

Whereas the 5 flower varieties with the highest United States production are tulips, Gerbera daisies, lilies, gladiolas and irises;

Whereas people in every State have access to domestically grown flowers, yet only 1 of 5 flowers sold in the United States is domestically grown;

Whereas the domestic cut flower industry creates almost $42,000,000 in economic impact daily and supports hundreds of growers, thousands of small businesses, and tens of thousands of jobs in the United States;

Whereas more people in the United States are expressing interest in growing flowers locally, which has resulted in an approximately 20 percent increase in the number of domestic cut flower farms between 2007 and 2012;

Whereas most domestic cut flowers and greens are sold in the United States within 24 to 48 hours after harvest and last longer than flowers shipped longer distances;

Whereas flowers grown domestically enhance the ability of the people of the United States to festively celebrate weddings and births, and honor those who have passed;

Whereas flower-giving has been a holiday tradition in the United States for generations;

Whereas flowers speak to the beauty of motherhood on Mother’s Day and to the spirit of love on Valentine’s Day;

Whereas flowers are an essential part of other holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa;

Whereas flowers help commemorate the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces on Memorial Day and Veterans Day; and

Whereas the Senate encourages the cultivation of flowers in the United States by domestic flower farmers: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates July 2018 as “American Grown Flower Month”;

(2) recognizes that purchasing flowers grown in the United States supports the farmers, small businesses, jobs, and economy of the United States;

(3) recognizes that growing flowers and greens in the United States is a vital part of the agricultural industry of the United States;

(4) recognizes that cultivating flowers domestically enhances the ability of the people of the United States to festively celebrate holidays and special occasions; and

(5) urges all people of the United States to proactively showcase flowers and greens grown in the United States in order to show support for our flower farmers, processors, and distributors as well as agriculture in the United States overall.

 

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