NOTE: The floats shown are not California Grown floats. These are award-winning entries in previous Rose Parades.

Last year in 2012 when the 80 year old Kit-Cat Clocks company sought red carnations for an American flag design on its Rose Parade float, it faced a dilemma. Red carnations grown in the U.S. were not available–they didn’t exist. This year two float entries have actually accomplished the unthinkable. They have been able to create floats decorated with flowers grown only in California! A mere two out of 41 floats in the January 1, 2013 Tournament of Roses, Rose Parade are certified as California Grown–Cal Poly University entry, Tuxedo Air, and South Pasadena’s Sailing Ship.

Approx. 80% of cut flowers sold in the U.S. come from countries such as Colombia and Ecuador. Helping to revive California’s flower growing industry amidst hurdles such as Colombia Free Trade Agreement which lifted Colombia’s import barriers last year, the California Cut Flower Commission is donating flowers to a Rose Parade float to help bring publicity to this thorny issue. California was the largest producer of roses in the world, but now most of them are grown in Colombia and other South American regions offering a cheaper price. Other events such as the Capitola Begonia Festival utilize flowers grown locally specifically for the floats in that event. Perhaps the Rose Parade (tournamentofroses.com) can return to its tradition and roots by creating special fees for floats Made in California. Consumers who want to support local farmers can look for a sticker on flowers that says they are grown in California.