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Business 42 December | 2021 December | 2021 Business 42 1 FOR ITEMS YOU KNOW YOU WILL HAVE A HEAVY AND STEADY DEMAND FOR Consider networking directly with a local farm to see if the owners are willing to grow your favorite blooms by agreement. To many small farms, the idea of growing a crop that is essentially presold is extremely desirable. is method requires not only trust on the part of the farmer but also follow-through from the florist. If you are a florist who can look back at records and expect a reliable sales stream for a particular type and/ or variety of flower, it may be wise to network with a local flower grower and ask if he or she would be willing to grow on your behalf. Likewise, this method may also be good for high-pressure event work. For example, take the forward-thinking wedding florist who may be looking at a computer desktop filled with the coming years contracts and is already feeling stressed by the possibility of ongoing supply shortages. is florist can find great relief in building relationships with local flower farmers as a way to diversify his or her supply stream. Smaller growers have the capability and flexibility to focus on delicate wedding colors, which often are the most fragile and damage-prone should supply-chain mishaps occur within the mass market. In seeking an arrangement of this type, be clear about your expected supply needs, be prepared to potentially set your own pricing and remember to ask about previous crop failures, as well as delivery options, too; you may need to pick up. When choosing the right flower farmer, it is best to work with someone with whom you are already at least somewhat familiar ; however, if you are not so lucky as to already know a tested farmer, there are some fantastic online resources you can employ. Consider sourcing a flower farmer using one of the following directories: rootedfarmers.com, slowflowers.com and americangrownflowers.org. 2 FOR FLORISTS LOOKING TO SPICE UP THEIR DAILY OFFERINGS OR ATTRACT NEW CUSTOMERS Ask your favorite wholesaler(s) about what is available locally, and learn the names of the farms from which they source. Follow these farms on social media, and become an active community supporter. When you see a farm sharing about an exciting new flower you would like to carry but do not see at your wholesaler, you will know exactly what to ask for and where to direct your salesperson. is choice is extremely convenient for florists who may not have the time or ability to drive to a farm to pick up. It empowers florists to not only connect with flower farmers but

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