Valentine's Day on Our Flower Farm

February 20, 2024 4 Comments

I had to take a moment to sit down and reflect on what has been an absolutely magical Valentine's Day here on the farm. Last week holds a special place in my heart as we celebrate not just love, but also growth, resilience, and the power of community.Our path to this Valentine's Day hasn't been a straight line. When we first started out, we had to get really creative with what we could offer when we didn't have local flowers to offer. We dabbled in flower-like options, subscriptions, plants, and even unique experiences, all while dreaming of the day when we could provide our customers with flowers grown right here on our farm.  Five years ago, this land was drastically different from what it is today. Overgrown with invasive plants and plagued by a negative ecosystem, transforming it into a flourishing space was uncertain. Yet, there came a moment when I looked out of the shop doors, snow swirling around, and witnessed cars pulling in with people seeking flowers grown right here on this land to spread love and joy.

Preparing for this Valentine's Day was no small feat. It involved months of preparation, investment, and a fair share of nerves to bring the vision to life.

What a wonderful surprise when The Republican, our local newspaper, featured our farm, spreading the word about locally grown flowers for Valentine's Day. On the morning before the big day as the kids and I were heading to the shop, an older gentleman named Norm stopped by asking for flowers. Despite it being an hour before opening, we were ready to assist. Norm, a retired veteran, left a glowing Google review after Mary helped him pick out bouquets. His visit, spurred by the article, highlighted the community support that continues to grow.

And let me tell you, when Valentine's Day finally arrived, it was all hands on deck. From sunrise to sunset, we worked tirelessly to harvest, arrange, and deliver our beautiful blooms to customers near and far. But amidst the hustle and bustle, there were moments of pure magic captured by our dear friend Jess, who never fails to remind me of the importance of being present in these precious moments.

My thoughts continue to wander in this deep February chill, with more fresh-cut flowers filling the space than I ever could have imagine and the warmth of community embracing this space, I can't help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. This journey has truly been a labor of love in every sense, and I am immensely thankful for each and every person who has supported us along the way, whether by purchasing a bouquet or offering their encouragement and support.

A friend I hadn't seen in years stopped by for a gift and said, "You made it!" It felt odd because it doesn't quite feel that way to me. I see so much more potential here, so much more work to be done. Our model still needs refining and expanding to ensure continued access to local flowers in the most sustainable, climate-conscious manner.

So here's to love, growth, and the power of community. Here's to our first Valentine's Day on the farm, and to many more to come. And most importantly, here's to being present in the moments that matter most, capturing the beauty of life as it unfolds before us.

4 Responses

If your comment doesn’t show up right away, don't fret! We have a spam filter that requires we approve most comments before they are published.

Unable to post at this time.

Also in Farm Journal