Value Added Products

The opportunity to use materials which would otherwise be considered leftovers on a farm as a value added product is one which I feel many producers miss. This not only can add income to the farm, but it creates a closed loop of sustainability by using all that is available without causing detriment to the ecosystem. In this case, we were able to harvest cut flowers for bouquets which could make a wonderful product to sell to prospective clientele. These particular flowers are French marigolds that were bred to have a very strong odor and long lasting flowers. Once the flowers have set for more than 7 days, their lifespan will not last much longer and can be harvested without taking food from the beneficials. In addition, the act of harvesting the flowers will work as pruning does and facilitates new growth of flowers. There are many options which can be used by farmers as products, such as nontraditional foodstuffs, flowers, seeds, honey, and others which would be thrown out.