The United States imports a whopping 82% of its flowers. Cut flower growers are among the heaviest users of pesticides, as their transported blooms are subject to the US Department of Agriculture’s strict insect inspections (with absolutely NO pesticide residue regulations or testing). Two chemicals commonly used on flower farms in the US are chlorothalonil and mancozeb, rated by the EPA as “likely” human carcinogens. Want to put your nose in those flowers? Worse, if the blooms are being grown outside the US, they may have been treated by US banned chemicals due to the lax pesticide regulations in other countries.

By buying organically grown flowers from a local flower farm, you’re not only limiting your own exposure to harmful chemicals but there’s a host of other benefits as well. Locally grown, sustainable blooms also have a much smaller carbon footprint than their imported counterparts. Flower farms (especially organically grown ones) offer excellent habitats to the bee population and other helpful insects that keep our eco system healthy. And, buying flowers from a local flower farm supports American businesses and your own local economy. Plus, you can enjoy some rarer flowers that don’t ship well, like Dahlias!