Rooted Farmers

At Rooted, we believe in small farms. We believe that agriculture can be both regenerative and productive. We believe in building sustainable ecosystems as well as sustainable businesses. We believe in supporting local economies and creating viable career paths for those who feed our souls. We believe that the face of the small farmer – their gender, age, and skin color – is changing, but their work ethic is not. We believe in the power of community and that a rising tide lifts all boats. We believe that we can do the work to repair our natural world and reduce our carbon footprint, one flower at a time.  

Before 1991, the US supplied a majority of its flowers producing 1.2 billion blooms of flowers and imported only 100 million (~8%). As a result of the War on Drugs, Trade Policy incentivized South American growers to move away from drugs and towards floriculture - a highly carbon intensive process. By 2003, the US imported 2 billion blooms (~90%) and grew only 200 million domestically. Imported flowers can include a cocktail of 100+ pesticides and preservatives to help them survive in refidgerated shipping containers for days or even weeks. The chemicals used to fight pests and weeds increase greenhouse gas emissions, disrupt microorganisms and lead to water pollution and soil erosion. However, local is making a comeback. 

By selling on Rooted Farmers and focusing on local sourcing, our growers have helped their local community florists, grocers, and floral designers avoid more than 400,000 kg of CO2 (as of the end of 2022). Not to mention the carbon sequestration that comes from stewardship of the land and the regereative and sustainable practices we encourage. 

Rooted Farmers is excited about our movement into additional modes of agriculutre and the future impact we can have on the food system.