How Syngenta Flowers Maintains Chrysanthemum Production at Its Alva Farm
For more than five decades, since its founding in 1967, the Alva Farm facility in Florida has led chrysanthemum production in North America.
A pivotal moment came in 2008 when Syngenta Flowers acquired Yoder Brand Mums. This acquisition further strengthened the company’s position in the North American market.
Strategic Location and Advanced Facilities
The farm’s sub-tropical climate provides ideal conditions for chrysanthemum cultivation, with facilities that include a dedicated pathology lab and a greenhouse, which ensure optimal growing conditions and quality control.
Production Scale and Diversity
With an annual output of 115 million cuttings, Alva Farm maintains more than 600 varieties of:
- Asters
- Ball Mums
- Garden Mums
- Montauks
- Pot Mums
Starter materials, sourced from certified third-party laboratories, guarantee the highest quality standards from the beginning of the production cycle.
People: At the Heart of Success
The farm operates with a dedicated team of 33 permanent staff members, expanding to 260–275 temporary workers during peak seasons. This workforce has achieved:
- Sustained cost control despite inflationary pressures
- Improved resource efficiency and waste reduction
- Implementation of innovative production techniques
Looking to the Future of Alva Farm
The farms’ commitment to innovation drives the following future initiatives:
- Investment in harvesting and sorting automation
- Enhancement of production techniques for improved yields (COGS)
- Expansion into contract growing opportunities
“Our mission remains clear: delivering first-class quality products at competitive onshore prices while exceeding customer expectations with every delivery. With our long-term efficiency plan and continuous improvement mindset, Alva Farm is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in North American chrysanthemum production.
“The site’s remarkable ability to grow more with less, combined with our team’s dedication to excellence, ensures that Alva Farm will continue to be a vital asset in Syngenta Flowers‘ global flower production network for years to come,” says Yigremachew Tessema, Syngenta, Head of Production, Americas.
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