Flowers Whether Picked or Planted Offer Income Potential

How do you pick the perfect cut flower to sell at the farmers market or roadside stand? Here are some things to consider:

• Grow flowers that are easy to grow like sunflowers, zinnas, daisies.
• Grow flowers that have stems so that you can bunch them for sale.
• Offer a variety of colors.
• Bunch flowers with mixed colors to reflect holidays like Fourth of July.

In Louisiana, only licensed florists are allowed to arrange flowers for sale. So be careful to bunch your flowers and place them in a vessel containing water to keep them fresh.

Louisiana agriculture up 20 percent in 2010 to $9.9 billion

Louisiana agriculture contributed $9.9 billion to the state’s economy in 2010 – up 20 percent from the year before, according to the latest figures compiled by the LSU AgCenter in its annual Ag Summary.


The biggest gainers in 2010 were the same sectors that declined the most in 2009 – poultry and forestry – according to John Westra, LSU AgCenter economist. He compiles the Ag Summary, which has been done every year since 1978, from reports prepared by extension agents across the state. To learn more click here.

Rockin R Ranch Takes to the Road

The Rockin R Ranch in West Monroe just built a traveling barn to take their farm animals to schools. Check them out on Facebook or give them a call at (318) 388-2527 or 388-1638. They do farm tours and birthday parties.

Farm Stays

I am just returning from a week in Charleston, S.C. where I attended presentations from around the U.S. on many topics related to agritourism. One of those topics, farm stays, is so perfect for many people in Louisiana.

According to Scottie Jones, one of the founders of Farm Stay U.S., the interest in the rural farm experience is on the rise. Farm stays have been popular in Europe, Australia and New Zealand for years.

According to Smith Travel research, the average lodging rate in the U.S. is $97. Scottie showed us pictures of farms listed on her website: http://www.farmstayus.com/

Scottie and her husband Greg enjoy the supplemental income they receive from being a host and started a website to help others develop their own enterprises.

Scottie is a wealth of information on this topic and is a delight to talk to. Her e-mail is Scottie@FarmstayUS.com

Marketing Tip Using Photography

Invite people who visit your agritourism operations to send you photos. Add these photos to your Facebook, blog site or website. People will enjoy showing others that they are on your site. Remember to ask their permission to use photos for marketing purposes.

Have a photo contest. Encourage visitors to send their most memorable experience at your operation. Invite a newspaper photograher or someone in your community interested in photography to be the judge. Post winners online. Again, ask for permission to use photos.

Jonquil Jubilee

Jonquil Jubilee, March 5, 2011 in Gibsland

Little yellow flowers (daffodils) are everywhere! Several gardens and homes are on tour. The Lorris and Elaine Carter home is featured on a tours with 30,000 or more of these beautiful daffodils.
To learn more about the event,  log onto: http://www.jonquiljubilee.com/
or call (318) 843-6228