Closer to Home

The pressures every day are real. I feel them too, just like you. When I go to restock the kitchen at the grocery store, or fill up at the gas station, or pay the electric bill, it feels like a constant battle of never enough. And who wants to tune into the news these days? It's all bad and scary! No one has anything positive or reassuring to say anymore. How do I survive this, let alone raise kids and run a business? Anyone else? And I think that’s why this next part matters.

Did you know that over 80% of flowers sold in the United States are imported, not grown domestically? And because flowers are so perishable, they have to be flown in, not shipped. For years, imported flowers have entered the U.S. duty- and tariff-free, often used as a negotiating tool between countries. But that’s starting to change.

For the first time, the market is facing a bit of a double whammy: the majority of imported flowers are now being hit with tariff fees, while rising oil prices are driving up jet fuel costs, making it significantly more expensive to fly flowers in. On top of that, transportation limitations are reducing the volume of flowers entering the country, creating supply shortages right as we head into Mother’s Day, which is the biggest floral holiday of the year. None of this looks to be changing anytime soon, either. And while we can’t control any of that, we can choose where we spend our dollars and who we keep in business.

So how do we deal with the pressures at hand? Maybe this just forces our hand. We’re going to have to rely more on our local communities, to be more intentional about what we’re buying and where it’s coming from (myself included). Because the truth is, we can grow flowers here, and we aren’t going to be able to go on importing 80% of a perishable commodity that we could produce domestically. 

This isn’t meant to make you panic or to think about scarcity. It’s just about shifting how we think. Forget about listening to the news and talk to your neighbors instead. Don't worry about surviving this and live it instead. There are ways for all of us to see through what is happening today, but it's going to take a new mentality and community approach. We’re going to have to choose a connection.

Just like you need the gas to get you from point A to point B, flowers are important to keep you connected from moment to moment. They mark all the celebrations, the hard days, the “just because” days. Flowers get to be one of the small ways that we stay connected in the middle of everything else that is going on. These are the real treasures of life, these are the real businesses that are important to keep in our communities, these are the real places to invest. Remember that when you pick up a bouquet, treat yourself to a subscription, join us for a workshop, or stop by the farm for a pick-your-own experience this summer. We’re here, and we’re growing for you.

P.S. And if you want to support another small business, here is my friend Tish, who makes AMAZING popcorn right here in the Shenandoah Valley. Boy, does she know her corn kernels (and she ships!) Trust me, it's addicting, and she is a gem of a person and a great friend of mine! https://prepopsterous.com/