People are often familiar with the $5-$40 bouquets they see at the grocery store. They’ve been imported, out of water for a week (or more), have clogged stems and are covered in chemicals. Flowers grown on local farms are gorgeous, healthy and last longer. They are grown with care for the environment and have a smaller carbon footprint… But they also bring us face to face with the reality of where our resources come from. Do we care? The past few years showed how fragile the chain of imported goods was. Then everyone began looking for the farmers… Farmers need you to be there not just when you’re in a pinch. The work begins a year before you ever see a vegetable or bloom. Money and time are spent – even in winter. When the harvest comes, it takes hard work to carefully pick, package and transport. And have you ever heard of marketing? ... The bottom line is this: If you care about these things, support the farmers who will always be there for you.