Success Story: Conservation Helps Alaska's Niche Peony Market Bloom

Peonies have a special place in Alaska agriculture. Our long summer days under the midnight sun and a late growing season allow for harvest in July and August; a time when most other peony farms in the world have already finished their harvests for the year.

"Alaska has a niche market for peonies because we are the last to harvest them in North America; we fill a gap in production of fresh cut peonies to create a year round market for this favorite feature flower," said Allison Gaylord, peony farmer, founding member and Board Chair of the Alaska Beauty Peony Co-op in Homer, Alaska.

Allison is working with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to improve irrigation water management and has plans in store for future conservation projects through the Conservation Stewardship Program.

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Learn more about NRCS Alaska at www.ak.nrcs.usda.gov

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We'd love to hear from you! Please contact our NRCS Alaska Public Affairs Specialist at tracy.robillard@usda.gov.