Jul 29, 20244 min read

Why Local Flowers

The Environmental Impact of Traditional Floral Industry

The traditional floral industry, as currently practiced, exacts a heavy toll on both the environment and the human workforce.

The majority of flowers available in grocery stores for retail buyers and floral wholesalers for florists and event designers are imported from halfway across the world, often from countries with lax environmental and labor regulations.
Long-distance transportation of flowers consumes substantial fossil fuels. The packaging and refrigeration required for shipping further increase the environmental footprint of imported flowers.
Commercially grown flowers are often bred for durability during transport, sacrificing fragrance and other qualities found in locally grown blooms.
Imported flowers often undergo heavy chemical treatments to prevent the spread of disease and decay during transport. These chemicals pose risks to both growers and consumers.
Workers in the global floral industry endure harsh working conditions and exposure to dangerous pesticides and chemicals with harmful effects on human health.
Low wages and poor labor practices prevail in many flower-producing regions, perpetuating cycles of poverty and exploitation among agricultural workers.

Environmental Sustainability

Local flower farms, like Little Ducky Flower Farm, offer a sustainable alternative.

We prioritize ecological practices that support soil health, biodiversity, and water conservation.
Our flowers are grown without harmful pesticides, ensuring a safer and healthier choice for our community.
Our farm implements eco-friendly practices such as composting, regenerative farming methods, reduced plastic usage, and prioritization of soil health to enhance our micro-ecosystem and plant resilience.
We employ natural, eco-friendly pest control methods that support native insect and pollinator populations, aligning with Barrington Hills' designation as a Bee City.
Cultivating both native and ornamental flowers, our farm fosters a habitat that attracts butterflies, bumblebees, and other beneficial insects.

Consumer Benefits

Choosing local flowers reduces your carbon footprint associated with transportation and packaging. We serve our hyper-local community by providing fresh flowers within an intimate radius, ensuring minimal delay—often less than 24 hours—between harvest and when the flowers are on the table in someone's home or at an event.
This proximity preserves the freshness, fragrance, and longevity of our blooms, enhancing your floral experience.
Local farms like ours grow unique and heirloom varieties that are not typically found in stores, preserving biodiversity and offering you a wider range of choices. You have access to flower varieties that are not typically sold in stores or by wholesalers, as these local blooms are often too delicate to withstand the rigors of long-distance shipping.
Consumers can visit local farms, meet the farmers, and see firsthand how their flowers are grown, fostering a sense of trust and connection.

Social Responsibility & Community Engagement

Supporting local flower farms promotes ethical labor practices and fair wages. Unlike global flower production, where labor exploitation and poor working conditions are prevalent, At Little Ducky Flower Farm, we oversee all operations—from plant selection and seeding to cultivation and maintenance—ensuring no exploitation of other human beings.
The care and attention we devote to our flowers is evident in the exceptional quality of our blooms, reflecting our commitment to ethical production.
Local farms help communities connect to the natural cycles of the seasons and preserve agricultural heritage. Each season brings its own unique array of flowers, allowing consumers to fully appreciate the beauty and diversity that nature offers throughout the year
We are committed to responsible land stewardship and active community involvement, enriching the social fabric of Barrington Hills. Our farm hosts educational workshops that promote sustainable farming practices, engaging with local organizations, schools, and community groups. Through these collaborations, we foster environmental awareness and support initiatives aimed at enhancing biodiversity and conservation efforts in our local area.
We prioritize transparency in our operations, inviting community members to visit our farm and learn about our cultivation methods firsthand. By fostering a direct connection between consumers and growers, we empower individuals to make informed choices that align with their values of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

Choosing local flowers is about making a conscious choice that benefits our environment and community. Little Ducky Flower Farm is dedicated to producing beautiful blooms with integrity and care. Our dedication to environmental stewardship enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors alike, making our farm a valuable asset to Barrington Hills.

References

Al Jazeera. From drugs to flowers: Colombia's Valentine's Day rose boom. Al Jazeera. Published February 14, 2020. Available from: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/2/14/from-drugs-to-flowers-colombias-valentines-day-rose-boom
Conover M. The environmental impact of cut flowers: not so rosy. TED Ideas. Published February 13, 2020. Available from: https://ideas.ted.com/the-environmental-impact-of-cut-flowers-not-so-rosy/
Waldman A. Behind roses' beauty, poor and ill workers. The New York Times. Published February 13, 2003. Available from: https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/13/us/behind-roses-beauty-poor-and-ill-workers.html
Dole J, Hill A, Mukherjee A. Overview of the cut flower industry. Utah State University Extension. Available from: https://extension.usu.edu/apec/research/cut-flower-industry
Knoch J. Bloom boom: we’re putting more thought into where our food comes from, but what about our blooms? Look inside the gorgeous, growing, female-led slow flowers revolution. Chatelaine. 2022;95(5):32-38.
Centi CT. The dark side of the cut-flower industry and the demand for not-in-season flowers. Lampoon Magazine. Published November 26, 2021. Available from: https://lampoonmagazine.com/article/2021/11/26/slow-flower-movement-claudia-tinor-centi/
Smithsonian Magazine. The secrets behind your flowers. Smithsonian Magazine. Available from: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/the-secrets-behind-your-flowers-53128/
Pereira PCG, Parente CET. A review on pesticides in flower production: a push to reduce human exposure and environmental contamination. Environ Pollut. 2021;117817. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117817
Handal AJ, Lozoff B, Breilh J, et al. Employment in the Ecuadorian cut-flower industry and the risk of spontaneous abortion. BMC Int Health Hum Rights. 2009;9:25. doi:10.1186/1472-698X-9-25