Rep. Mike Thompson: 'This Mother's Day, Support Califonia Flower Growers'

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) is encouraging residents of California's First Congressional District to support California's flower growers this Mother's Day, which is Sunday, May 8. Over 75 percent of domestically grown flowers are grown in California, accounting for 20 percent of all flowers sold in the U.S. and directly supporting more than 10,000 jobs in the state. Many of these jobs are located on the North Coast, where local growers produce Irises, Lilies, Tulips, and other bulb flowers. In fact, the largest cut flower farm in the entire country is located in Arcata.

“California flower growers produce the finest flowers in the world, but they're being squeezed out of the market by producers in foreign countries,” said Rep. Thompson. “Although local growers are working aggressively to remain competitive, we can all do more to promote our state's flower industry. On Mother's Day, support your local flower growers by buying fresh cut California flowers for your loved ones.”

Although California is one of our country's premier flower producers, the number of local flower farms is shrinking rapidly due to competition from global competitors like Colombia, which receive millions of dollars in subsidies from their government. Last week, Rep. Thompson and 40 other members of the California Congressional Delegation sent a letter to President Obama urging him to address the flower trade inequity as his Administration works on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

“We are fortunate to have Congressman Thompson representing the concerns of California's flower farms,” said Lane DeVries, CEO of Sun Valley Floral Farms and Vice Chair of the California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC). "Flower growers in California employ tens of thousands of Californians and contribute millions of dollars to the economy. But to remain competitive against foreign growers, we need the full support of our local communities. Please do your part by buying local flowers this Mother's Day."

California growers are also doing their part to remain competitive through innovation. Working with the CCFC, they have offered higher end products produced in an increasingly environmentally sustainable manner. They use the latest in horticultural science to increase yields and develop new varieties for the market, while also meeting California labor and environmental standards that are much higher than their foreign competitors. They are also in the final phase of developing a new transportation, logistics, and shipping system and center that would reduce their shipping costs by 30 to 40 percent.