Federal Flowers Must Be American Grown: New Rule Mandates Domestic Greenery for White House, State, and Defense Dept. Displays

The Don Young American Grown Act is short, sweet, and focused on making sure that when high-level federal agencies spruce up their public spaces, they’re supporting U.S. growers. Essentially, this bill mandates that any cut flowers or greenery used for official displays in the public areas of the Executive Office of the President (EOP), the Department of State, or the Department of Defense (DoD) must be produced right here in the U.S. This means no imported bouquets for the Secretary of State’s lobby or the White House’s public reception areas.

The 'Buy American' Bouquet Mandate

This isn't just about the 50 states; the bill explicitly defines "produced in the United States" to include flowers grown in D.C., U.S. territories and possessions, or on land belonging to a federally recognized Indian Tribe (Sec. 2). For the domestic floral industry—which includes everyone from small family farms to large greenhouses—this is a direct injection of government purchasing power, ensuring federal dollars support U.S. jobs and agriculture. If you run a flower farm in Hawaii or a greenhouse operation in Puerto Rico, this bill opens up a new, high-profile market.

Where the Rule Applies (And Where It Doesn't)

The mandate is specific: it only covers official displays in public areas within the EOP, State Department, and DoD. This is a targeted approach, focusing on the spaces where foreign dignitaries and the public often visit, making the 'American Grown' message highly visible. The bill smartly includes an exception: if a federal employee or officer buys a flower arrangement for their own desk or personal office—a non-official decoration—they are not bound by this rule (Sec. 2). This keeps the focus on formal, government-sponsored displays, not individual preferences.

Implementation and Real-World Logistics

To give federal agencies and the domestic supply chain time to prepare, the rule doesn't kick in immediately. It becomes effective one year after the Act becomes law (Sec. 2). This grace period is crucial. It means agencies like the DoD, which has vast facilities, have time to establish relationships with domestic suppliers. For the U.S. floral industry, it’s a year to scale up production and logistics to meet the new federal demand, ensuring that when the State Department needs 50 centerpieces for a diplomatic event, the flowers are ready and sourced domestically. The bill also provides necessary clarity by defining exactly what a “cut flower” and a “cut green” are—essentially, any foliage or flower removed from a living plant for decoration (Sec. 2). This low-vagueness approach should make compliance straightforward and reduce bureaucratic headaches during implementation.