Rooted in Tradition: My Journey from Home Gardener to Flower Farmer
When I first began thinking about starting a flower farm and transforming our 13-year-old, well-loved vegetable garden into a flower paradise, I found myself diving into research and seeking inspiration from every corner. For the last 13 years, our ¼-acre family garden has been more than just a place where we grow food. It has been my refuge—a constant in a life that often feels full of change. Through all the ups and downs, the garden has been my place of peace and happiness. There’s something magical about planting seeds, nurturing them, and watching them grow—especially when those seeds eventually become food that nourishes your family.
When I met my husband Matt in 2015, he moved from Oklahoma to Washington to start our life together. He had never experienced anything quite like our family garden. It quickly became something we both cherished, and before long, it became a shared passion. From tending to the vegetables to growing our own food, the garden became a part of our story—something we could both pour ourselves into.
Fast forward to this year, when we began planning our wedding. I knew from the start that I wanted to grow the flowers for our special day. I’ve always had a green thumb, and I believed we could grow the most beautiful blooms to celebrate this huge milestone. What I didn’t expect was how much growing flowers would become a healing process for me.
Earlier this year, just as I was beginning to plan our wedding flowers, my grandpa was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As you can imagine, this news was devastating, and I found myself seeking an outlet to cope with the overwhelming emotions. Tending to the garden, watching flowers grow, and immersing myself in the beauty of nature became my refuge. It was in those quiet moments, surrounded by the colors and scents of the flowers, that I started seriously considering the idea of turning this hobby into something more. What if I could do this full-time? What if I could share the joy and peace that flowers brought me with others?
While planning for our wedding, juggling parenthood, trying to make our families happy, and navigating my grandpa’s cancer diagnosis, Matt and I came to an important realization: after nearly 10 years of being together, we didn’t need a big wedding. We realized that, in trying to please others, we were losing sight of what mattered most to us. We didn’t want to go into debt for an event that was more for others than for ourselves. So, we opted for a beautiful courthouse wedding with our son, Braven, and my mom and grandparents as our witnesses. It was intimate, personal, and perfect for us.
Since my son, Braven, was born, I have been a stay-at-home mom—something that was never part of the original plan. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Biological Sciences when I was 8 months pregnant with him, but after he arrived, everything changed. I couldn’t imagine sending my baby to daycare, so Matt and I made significant financial sacrifices so I could stay home with him every day. Being a stay-at-home mom has been the most rewarding and fulfilling experience of my life, but I also wanted to find a way to contribute financially and find something I was passionate about while being present for my son. That's when the idea of turning our family’s garden into a flower farm began to take root.
With all of the flowers I had grown for the wedding, we suddenly found ourselves with a surplus that we didn’t need. It was at that moment that I decided to take the leap and start our cut flower business. I couldn’t believe the interest we received from our local community—it was overwhelming in the best way possible.
As we embraced this new journey, life took another exciting turn. We moved just two minutes down the road from our family farm, and now, with access to a combined two acres of growing space, we’re ready to take our flower farming to the next level. The combination of both properties gives us plenty of room to grow, experiment with new varieties, and expand our business. The opportunity to cultivate even more flowers and share them with our community is both thrilling and humbling. I can't wait to see what we can create with this new space!
As I reflected on what I wanted my flower farm to stand for, I knew that my cultural heritage would be a huge part of my business. I am an enrolled member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, and my heritage is a big part of who I am. I wanted to honor that connection to the land, so I began searching for Native-owned flower farms for inspiration. A quick Google search came up empty. Surely, I thought, there must be some? But after an extensive search, I found barely any mention of Native American flower farmers. This left me with a deep sense of urgency to shed light on a glaring issue within the industry: the lack of diversity, particularly the underrepresentation of Native American farmers.
The flower farming community is a vibrant and growing space, filled with passionate growers, stunning blooms, and a shared love for cultivating beauty. Yet, when we step back and look at the faces that make up this industry, a glaring issue becomes evident: the lack of diversity. Native American farmers, who have been deeply connected to the land for generations, are underrepresented—especially in niche sectors like flower farming. Historically, Native peoples cultivated plants not just for food but for medicinal, ceremonial, and spiritual purposes. For instance, flowers like camas have deep cultural significance, representing the bond between people and the land.
Yet, despite this profound connection to agriculture, Native representation in farming today—and in flower farming specifically—is dishearteningly low. Native Americans make up less than 2% of all farmers in the U.S., and the number of Native-owned flower farms is virtually nonexistent. This gap underscores the need for greater diversity in the industry, and it led me to think about how Native farmers are uniquely positioned to contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive floral industry.
Indigenous farming practices, such as crop rotation, intercropping, and the prioritization of native plant species, have long been used to maintain soil health, conserve water, and support biodiversity. These time-tested practices are more relevant than ever as we face the challenges of modern farming. By incorporating traditional ecological knowledge into contemporary farming, Native American farmers can help lead the way in creating a more sustainable floral industry—one that works in harmony with the earth, rather than against it.
For me, flower farming isn’t just about growing beautiful blooms. It’s about reconnecting with the land, honoring my heritage, and creating something meaningful for future generations. It’s about ensuring that my family’s legacy, along with the traditional practices of my people, lives on in the flowers I grow and the way I run my business.
As a proud Native American-owned flower farm, I am honored to contribute to the growing diversity in the floral industry. My heritage and the lessons passed down through generations guide every aspect of this journey. From the sustainable farming practices that honor the land, to the blooms that reflect the deep connection I feel with nature, this business is a celebration of both my cultural roots and my commitment to creating beauty in the world. Every flower I grow carries a piece of my history, and I am proud to share that story with you.
