Yep, they do. Great big, beautiful, Alaska Grown peonies.

It was a great opportunity for me to meet some very enthusiastic flower farmers who feel very confident about their future success in growing peonies in Alaska.  I was asked to give the “State of the Industry” during my keynote while sharing the values and virtues of the Certified American Grown program. I also challenged this group of Alaskan flower farmers to become one of the top seven states for U.S. cut flower production. They have a ways to go, but with all of the rootstock being put in the ground up there, once production kicks in, they should be able to eclipse Florida’s cut flower production in just a few years while they work their way to becoming one of the top seven cut flower farming state.

Almost 200 people attended the three day conference in Fairbanks. Many of the attendees were there to learn about the business of growing peonies. Historically, Alaska has faced natural and economic barriers to market in their agricultural ventures. However, one attendee described the burgeoning peonies opportunity as Alaska’s last “gold rush.” Currently farms are able to get $3-4 to $10 per stem during their production season that stretches from late June to September.

Five farms from Alaska are already Certified American Grown:

• Alaska Beauty Peony Cooperative, AK

• Alaska’s Echo Lake Peonies, AK

• Alaska Perfect Peony, AK

• Joslyn Peonies, AK

• Scenic Place Peonies, AK

Flower farming in the United States is challenging, no matter where or what you grow. Yet, I walked away from my time with these farmers with a renewed sense of confidence and pride in the people of our country who continue to pursue a tradition of success that defies all odds through sheer determination, hard work and ingenuity. There are all kind of reasons for a person to not get into this business of flower farming, especially in Alaska, but with the spirit and dedication I saw, it won’t take long before Alaska is known as the peonies capital of our country.

Go See These Peonies!

Subzero temperatures may not sound very inviting to most. However, there is a hot party planned for celebrating peonies this summer. Debra Prinzing of SlowFlowers.com and Christina Stembel of Farmgirl Flowers are hosting a “Peony Party” in Homer, Alaska in July. Go to their website and check it out.