Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.”
A recent USDA report on floriculture in North Carolina showed 4 percent growth in sales from 2014 to 2015. The survey looked at wholesale value for operations with at least $100,000 in sales. It found that the wholesale value of sales in 2015 was more than $234 million, compared with $225 million in 2014.
Sales were up in several of the plant categories tracked by USDA. The biggest increase occurred in cut flowers, which saw wholesale value increase by 30 percent. Two other plant categories with increases in the wholesale value of sales were herbaceous perennials, which grew by 19 percent, and annual bedding and garden plants, which increased by 4 percent.
The report also showed that the number of floriculture producers in the state grew by 5 percent to 294.
Click on the audio player below to listen to Commissioner Troxler and Rhonda talk about floriculture and learn where the largest heated greenhouse in the U.S. is located. To find nurseries, garden centers and other plant sellers, visit www.ncfarmfresh.com.
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