1B: Cut Flowers Are Blooming in Utah

Melanie Stock | Chapter One: Land

Kellie Webb At The North Ogden Flower Farm | Aaron Fortin

TAKEAWAY

Cut flowers are a surging new crop that is popular with residents and profitable for farms in Utah.

Terms to Know

Protected crops: Plants grown under protection (greenhouses, tunnels, covers) from weather or pests.

In recent years, cut flower crops rapidly emerged as a leading solution for both small- and large-scale farms to maximize returns. Utah experienced significant growth since 2018, with an average of 30new flower farms per year. Today, there are well over 200 growers, primarily women,and a Utah Cut Flower Farm Association that is a proven model for other states. Utah’s flower farmers are highly entrepreneurial and reaching new revenue channels, which includes sales to florists and wholesale distributors; consumers through farmers’ markets, farm stands,and Community Supported Agriculture(CSA) shares; and agritourism from you-pick experiences to hosted events. In 2021,it was estimated that this contributed up to $1.3M in state tax revenue.

A local, profitable niche has been made for flowers that are scented, have a short vase life, or are prone to damage during transport, and they are able to compete well with imports. As the market demand exceeds supply, however,improving crop yields, quality, and timing are essential. USU targets these needs with crop research that leads to management recommendations tailored to Utah’s soils, water, sun exposure,pests, seasonal weather, and consumers. As trials led to regionally optimized production, crops with previous net negative income potentials grew to values nearly unmatched for farms. For example, net returns averaged $2.50per sq. ft. for most flowers, while some reached $5.00 per sq. ft. In comparison, protected strawberries and peppers reached $1.45 and $2.12 per sq. ft.,respectively. With continued investment in research, grower partnerships, and outreach, the state’s cut flower industry is well-positioned for sustained growth.

North Ogden Flower Farm | Aaron Fortin

Greenville Research Farm in North Logan, UT | Levi Simms

Figure 1.B.1 Average Net Returns for Flowers vs. Protected Crops

  Flowers Strawberries Peppers
Average Net Return per sq ft $2.50-5.03 $1.45 $2.12

Figure 1.B.2 Number of Utah Flower Growers by Year

A bar chart comparing the number of flower growers in 2018 and 2025. In 2018, there were 15 flower growers. In 2025, the number increased to 199 flower growers.

References

  1. Lanford, M., Curtis, K., & Stock, M. (2023, December 15). An overview of the Cut Flower industry [Fact sheet]. USU Extension. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/2380/
  2. Curtis, K. & Stock, M. (2023). Research Report: Growing a New Cut Flower Industry: Market Needs and Preferences. Food Distribution Research Society, 54(1): 1-7. https://www.fdrsinc.org/wp-content/ uploads/2023/04/JFDR54.1_1_Curtis.pdf
  3.  Stock, M. (2025). Specialty Crop Success Story: Specialty Cut Flowers. Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. https://ag.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Final-SCBG-Success-Story-Updated.pdf
  4.  Lewis, M., Stock, M., Ward, R., Black, B., Drost, D. (2021). Peony cut flower production budget, one field, Northern Utah, 2020 [Fact sheet]. USU Extension. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/2166/
  5.  Rauter, S. & Stock, M. (2023). Ranunculus Cut Flower Production in Utah [Fact sheet]. USU Extension. https:/digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/2333/
  6. Lewis, M., Stock, M., Ward, R., Black, B., & Drost, D. (2020). Snapdragon cut flower budget for one high tunnel: 2020 Annual Report: Utah Agricultural Statistics and Annual Summary Report, pp. 78-79. Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. https://ag.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Utah-2020-Final-Annual-Report-Statistical-Bulletin.pdf
  7. Oliver, E., Stock, M., & Nischwitz, C. (2024). Nitrogen rate and virus incidence effects on cut flower production of dahlia. Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 42(1): 14-22. DOI: 10.24266/0738-2898-42.1.14
  8.  Rauter, S., Stock, M., & Ward, R. (2022). UDAF Anemone Budget for One High Tunnel: 2022 Utah Agricultural Statistics and Annual Summary Report, pp.76-78. Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. https://ag.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-UDAF-Annual-Report-final-version.pdf
  9.   Rauter, S., Stock, M., & Ward, R. (2022). UDAF Ranunculus Cut Flower Budget for One High Tunnel: 2022 Utah Agricultural Statistics and Annual Summary Report, pp.79-80. Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. https://ag.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-UDAF-Annual-Report-final-version.pdf
  10. Drost, D. & Ward, R. (2019). Enterprise Budget Red Peppers with Shade: 2019 Utah Agricultural Statistics and Annual Summary Report, pp. 70-72. Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. https://ag.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/2019-Utah-Agricultural-Statistics-and-Annual-Summary.pdf
  11.  Maughan, T., Curtis, K., Black, B., Drost, D. (2014). Northern Utah High Tunnel Strawberry Production Costs and Returns, 2014 [Fact sheet]. USU Extension. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/643/