FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, DEC. 6, 2007

N.C. poinsettia crop top quality despite drought

RALEIGH – With hundreds of hues such as deep red, pink and white, the 5.4 million poinsettia plants grown by North Carolina farmers this year provide a colorful contrast to the drought-induced brown currently blanketing the state.

“North Carolina poinsettias are a great way to add color around the house and office,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “My wife and I use poinsettias from area growers each Christmas to brighten our home.”

Poinsettias are grown in greenhouses across North Carolina and have not been directly affected by the drought. North Carolina is the second-largest producer of poinsettias in the country, with cash receipts of more than $17 million in 2006.

“Sharon and I love to give poinsettias as gifts over the holidays, and each year we’re excited to see the new colors and patterns that have been developed,” Troxler said. “You can pick them up at nurseries, garden centers, farmers markets, florist shops, home improvement stores and even at the grocery store whenever the need arises.”

Poinsettias contribute a significant amount of revenue to the growing nursery and greenhouse sector of the state’s agribusiness economy. The greenhouse and nursery industry brought $893 million to North Carolina growers in 2006, ranking third in cash receipts behind broilers and hogs.

More information about North Carolina-grown plants is available online at www.nccfga.org, or www.ncfarmfresh.com.

-jsk 2,3-

Note to editors: High-resolution photos of poinsettias can be downloaded from http://www.ncagr.com/markets/index.htm.