50
July | 2023
Business
For small to midsize cut fl ower growers
and local grower-collaborating fl ower
shops, we recommend considering the
following benefi ts of launching a fl ower
CSA program.
1
RELIABLE
REVENUE
CSA subscriptions give fl ower
businesses a predictable stream of
income. Subscriptions or "shares" are
sold in advance. rough this, farmers
can prepare for and manage crops. No
longer does a farmer need to gamble
on farm plans, harvest schedules and
logistics. Additionally, this advance
payment can provide a welcome
fi nancial boost to farmers needing to
invest in seed stock and bulbs for the
future. It is not uncommon to require
one-year advance ordering of specialty
varieties.
2
RELATIONSHIP
BUILDING
CSA subscriptions take growers on a
journey from "farmer" to "friend" in the
eyes of their customers. Customer loyalty
is built through this system, which
enables farmers to get direct feedback
about their products in real-time.
3
COPIOUS
CONTENT
Finding opportunities to show off their
blooms can be diffi cult for fi eld-bound
growers. By involving themselves in the
delivery logistics process, fl ower CSA
businesses fi nd they are never at a loss
for fresh marketing content—as long
as they keep their cameras and social
media channels at the ready.
4
WORK-LIFE
BALANCE
Almost all small-business operators will
agree that achieving and maintaining a
work-life balance is as important as it
is diffi cult. e predictable scheduled
nature of CSA programs creates a
ONE BENEFIT
OF STARTING
A FLOWER CSA
HAS BEEN THE
PREDICTABLE
AND CONSISTENT
WORK IT
PROVIDES.
— Sarah Gainey.
Holly Chapple, Hope Flower Farm
