Winter is the perfect time to plan, prepare, and set your operation's systems up for success in the season ahead. This January, we're launching five new powerful Rooted features designed to help you work more efficiently, connect with more buyers, and streamline your operations.&nbsp; Here’s a quick look at what’s launching on January 1 —and how each update can support your planning and growth this season.&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><div style="padding:80% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1148037127?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="Introducing: New Public Profiles!"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script></div><h1> 1. Public Profile Updates (Essentials and Pro)&nbsp;</h1>Every seller gets a professional public profile that works like a built-in landing page. Now, with the new public profiles, you can upload certification documents, share your harvest calendar, and set clear policies so buyers know what to expect. Pro subscribers unlock even more: Tell your story with a custom "About Us" section, highlight your best products, and feature the team behind your operation. Your profile appears directly in organic search results, making it easy for new customers to discover you and connect instantly.&nbsp;<h1>2. Special Requests (Pro)</h1>Buyers can now send direct messages with inquiries about future orders and special requests. Whether they're looking for a specific product, a custom quantity, or something unique, you'll receive their message in Rooted—keeping all communication organized and in one place.&nbsp;<h1>3. Routific Integration (Pro)&nbsp;</h1>Take the guesswork out of delivery planning. Our new integration with Routific syncs your Rooted orders and generates optimized delivery routes. Spend less time manually entering addresses, planning, and creating maps, and instead give your drivers clear, efficient routes.&nbsp; &nbsp;Best of all, Routific is free for up to 100 orders per month. Rooted users receive 30% off Routific. Email us at: reachout@rootedfarmers.com to get your coupon code and start optimizing your delivery routes! &nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><div style="padding:90% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1148073122?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="Introducing: New Routific Integration!"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script></div><h1> 4. Mailchimp Integration (Pro)&nbsp;</h1>Stay connected with your buyers through seamless email marketing. Connect your Mailchimp account to sync contacts and easily communicate with your Rooted buyers about what’s fresh, what’s coming, and what’s new with your farm/hub.&nbsp;<h1>5. Enhanced Analytics (Essentials and Pro)&nbsp;</h1>Explore new ways to understand your data and plan ahead with deeper insights into your sales performance. New reports and analytics functionality allow you to:<ul><li>Compare year-over-year performance&nbsp;</li><li>View buyer concentration as a percentage of total sales&nbsp;</li><li>Segment sales by buyers (retail vs. wholesale)&nbsp;</li><li>Look up historical sales by product (Pro)</li></ul><h2>Need Help Getting Started?</h2>Have questions about how to use these new features? Email us at: <a href="mailto:help@rootedfarmers.com">help@rootedfarmers.com</a> &nbsp; Rooted members can join us at our Office Hours on Zoom every Tuesday at 12 pm ET.&nbsp;You'll find the link on your dashboard.

Our newest features are meant to simplify operations, showcase your business, and unlock more opportunities for growth. Let's make 2026 your most successful year yet!

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Rooted Just Got Better: New January Features

We are excited to announce two grant programs for producer hubs in 2026 – one for established hubs and one for emerging groups. Our new Deepening Roots: Hubs in Transition Grant, supports groups navigating financial need or major organizational transitions.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; This new program complements our existing Growing Roots: Startup Hubs Grant, designed for groups in their first 0-3 years of operations.&nbsp;&nbsp; Read more below for grant eligibility and additional details for each program. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1764633094/Images_1_37dc662490.png" alt="Images (1).png"><h1 style="margin-left:0px;">The Mission of Rooted Grants</h1>The agricultural landscape is changing rapidly, and producer hubs across the country are feeling the pressure. Reduced federal funding, policy uncertainty, leadership turnover, and market disruptions all put pressure on small and mid-size producers and their regional hubs. The work hubs do has never been more vital—or more urgent.&nbsp;At Rooted Farmers, we understand this deeply because we’ve lived it. Eight growing seasons ago, we began as a solution for our own regional hub of growers in Northern New England. We needed a way to aggregate product, manage sales, and meet buyer demands for volume, consistency, and reliability, and from these challenges, Rooted was born.Since then, we've had the privilege of partnering with dozens of producer hubs across the country—at every stage and scale. We've collaborated to build operational and technical solutions for the unique challenges hubs face: maintaining relationship-based sales, while scaling efficiently; managing perishable products; navigating leadership transitions; building financial sustainability, and more.For the past four years, our grant program has focused on supporting hubs looking to develop their local markets. From this work, it became clear: hubs need different types of support at different stages of their business.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1 style="margin-left:0px;">What is a Producer Hub?</h1>The grant program is designed specifically for producer hubs: organizations that aggregate and market products from multiple independent producers while maintaining direct relationships and providing support services such as marketing, shared infrastructure, market access, or business development.&nbsp;Producer hubs differ from traditional wholesalers in that they maintain direct relationships with each producer, provide value-added services beyond buying and selling, and operate with a producer-centered mission. Examples include food hubs, flower hubs, producer cooperatives, multi-farm CSAs, and farm-to-institution programs with producer aggregation.&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1764632964/DSC_1683_Edit_0b1d300ff7.jpg" alt="DSC_1683-Edit.jpg">&nbsp;<h1>1. Growing Roots: Startup Hubs Grant</h1>For hubs in years 0-3 of operations&nbsp;The Growing Roots grant is designed for new and emerging producer hubs who are establishing their operations and building initial market relationships. If you're a group of producers working together to access markets collaboratively, this program provides startup funding, technology, and coaching you need to build strong foundations.&nbsp;Who is eligible:&nbsp;<ul><li>Producer hubs generally in years 0-3 of operations&nbsp;</li><li>Groups of 4+ producers&nbsp;</li><li>At least half of member farms should have 3+ years of growing/production experience&nbsp;</li></ul>What you'll receive:&nbsp;<ul><li>Micro-Grant funding: $500-$1,500 grant for startup expenses (equipment, marketing, infrastructure, technology, professional services, etc.)&nbsp;</li><li>Technology platform: One-year complimentary Rooted Farmers Essentials for Hubs subscription (for groups new to joining the Rooted platform), plus $100 subscription discount for each grower subscription&nbsp;</li><li>Coaching: Bi-monthly coaching sessions with experienced hub operators and Rooted team&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Program timeline: March - December 2026&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uaWwMpDDT9IIUEyo6QeruR8OaBaKhfko/view?usp=sharing">Growing Roots: Startups Hub Grant Request for Applications&nbsp;</a><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hLlyrKyM9dmakC5uaGJbwGFZjVpw5Pne/view?usp=sharing">Growing Roots: Startups Hub Grant Terms and Conditions</a>&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1764633875/DSC_1454_0d963c6ee8_fe08cc901b.jpg" alt="DSC_1454_0d963c6ee8.jpg"><h1>2. Deepening Roots: Hubs in Transition Grant</h1>For hubs in years 3+The Hubs in Transition Grant is built for established hubs navigating a period of change—financial, operational, or organizational. This comprehensive support program provides financial relief, strategic coaching, and technology support to help hubs strengthen operations and continue delivering value to their producers and communities. &nbsp;&nbsp;Who is eligible:&nbsp;<ul><li>Producer hubs generally in year 3+ of operations&nbsp;</li><li>Groups of 5+ producers&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Annual sales volume of $250,000 or more&nbsp;</li><li>New to using Rooted Farmers for hub management&nbsp;</li><li>Must be experiencing demonstrated financial hardship (loss of grant funding, significant revenue decline, unexpected major expenses, inability to cover operational costs, or financial impacts from leadership transitions or organizational changes)&nbsp;</li></ul>What you'll receive:&nbsp;<ul><li>Financial support: Need-based fee forgiveness of up to 90% on Rooted subscription and transaction fees for minimum one year&nbsp;</li><li>Technology platform: One-year complimentary Rooted Farmers Essentials for Hubs subscription, plus $100 subscription discount for each grower subscription. Personalized onboarding, training, and ongoing technical support.&nbsp;</li><li>Coaching: Bi-monthly coaching sessions with experienced hub operators and Rooted team&nbsp;</li><li>Program timeline: March - December 2026&nbsp;</li></ul><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MtrQDcxSait2Dja2DiKasatrq4z0KdZ3/view?usp=sharing">Deepening Roots: Hubs in Transition Grant Request for Applications</a><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ub--mGtfjll5lr-MIEnNYilg5vyaSOZQ/view?usp=sharing">Deepening Roots: Hubs in Transition Grant Terms and Conditions</a><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1764633633/DSC_1312_75a12cd065.jpg" alt="DSC_1312.jpg"><h1 style="margin-left:0px;">How to Apply</h1>Application deadlines: February 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST&nbsp; Awards announced: On or before February 16, 2026 &nbsp;Applications for both programs should be submitted to <a href="mailto:reachout@rootedfarmers.com">reachout@rootedfarmers.com</a>. Detailed application requirements and full program information are available in the Request for Applications and Terms and Conditions&nbsp;Not sure which grant program is right for your hub? We're here to help! Contact us at <a href="mailto:reachout@rootedfarmers.com">reachout@rootedfarmers.com</a> with questions about eligibility, the application process, or to discuss which grant best fits your needs.&nbsp;

We are offering two grant programs in 2026 to help producer hubs start, scale, or strengthen their work: the new Deepening Roots grant for hubs in transition, and the Growing Roots grant for hubs in their first 0–3 years.

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Announcing Rooted Farmers' Two Grant Programs for Producer Hubs in 2026

At Rooted, we work with dozens of hubs, co-ops, and farm collectives across the country.&nbsp; We’re often approached by individuals or teams wondering if selling collaboratively makes sense for them, or if they are ready to dive in. To help you and your team evaluate these decisions, we’ve put together <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LN_kPT6SJoKVj0eiRjXmeccpOae5M8i0/view?usp=sharing">discussion prompts and a printable worksheet</a> to accompany our Slow Flowers podcast episode with Debra Prinzing, featuring a conversation with Kelly Brown from <a href="https://www.dorightflowers.com/">Do Right Flower Farm</a>, and leader of the <a href="https://www.dorightflowers.com/sc-flower-hub">Santa Cruz Flower Hub</a>.The benefits of collaborative selling in the form of hubs, co-ops, or collectives are vast: optimized logistics, broadened buyer reach, tapping into economies of scale via pooling of product and resources, and more.&nbsp;That said, before you start selling collaboratively, you should be able to address the questions included below.<h2><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LN_kPT6SJoKVj0eiRjXmeccpOae5M8i0/view?usp=sharing">Download The Five W's &amp; H of Starting a Hub, Co-op or Farm Collective Worksheet&nbsp;</a></h2><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:3600/2400;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1760989409/CTFC_Four_Root_Farm_113_2022_2e1f718122.jpg" alt="CTFC-FourRootFarm-113-2022.JPG" width="3600" height="2400"></figure><h2>1. Who?</h2><h3>What does your core team look like? &nbsp;Who will handle various roles?&nbsp;</h3>You should have at least two leaders to help provide redundancy and share the management load. Having multiple people involved helps you avoid making decisions in a vacuum and ensures multiple perspectives on challenges you'll face. Experience matters: having a background in farming is crucial, and having worked in organizations to achieve team-based goals is also important. We've found that including someone excited about building new business relationships is a huge indicator for success—particularly in B2B sales, where relationships are built on trust.<h3>Who are your potential members?</h3>Consider the growers you hope to include in your hub. Do you already have commitments from producers, or are you still recruiting? What diversity of products and production methods do they bring? Understanding your member base early helps you design systems and standards that work for everyone.<h3>How will you make decisions as a group?</h3>As you transition from individual to group mindset and planning, you’ll need to determine your legal entity structure and establish clear decision-making processes. Having these frameworks in place early prevents confusion and conflict down the road.&nbsp;<h2>2. What?</h2><h3>What are the problems you are trying to solve?</h3>Do you have buyers asking for simplified logistics? Do you have a group of farms who are duplicating each other’s delivery routes?&nbsp; Do producers in your area have a desire to specialize their production, or meet buyers’ volume needs?&nbsp;&nbsp;Having clarity around the key challenges that you are working to solve will help you remain focused in the planning process. While excitement from producers and buyers is a great sign, attempting to solve too many challenges in your first year can spread you too thin. Start small and establish a strong foundation with systems that work. You won't get everything right the first time—and that's okay! You'll need to try things and revise them based on what you learn, which is much easier to do when you're starting with a manageable scope. Build gradually and expand as you grow.You'll also want to establish quality standards early on. What are your collective expectations for product quality, grading, food safety, and presentation? Having clear standards helps maintain buyer trust and ensures all members are on the same page.<h2>3. When?</h2><h3>Is now the right time? In which season are you hoping to launch? Have you done enough diligence to prepare?</h3>Consider the time of year that you are hoping to launch.&nbsp;Not all seasons are created equally for getting a project like this off the ground!&nbsp;Using your production season to collect feedback from buyers about needs and preferences, and the fall to cultivate relationships with your grower members, can allow you and your team to spend the quieter winter months putting all of the pieces in place for a spring launch, which can time well for buyers’ reinvigorated interest in locally-sourced, farm-fresh products.You will also want to consider the amount of experience that your core team and early members have selling into these markets.&nbsp; Ensuring that your group has spent time understanding buyers’ needs and expectations can prove invaluable before adding the additional layer of aggregation complexity.<h2>4. Where?</h2><h3>Do you have locations in mind? Are there specific markets or geographies that you are targeting or looking to service? Are you hoping to expand your geographic reach through a collaborative approach?</h3>This very much depends on the model that you have chosen - delivery versus pick up versus a hybrid model.&nbsp; If you are planning to be delivery-only, you will want to consider where product is being received and orders are being packed.&nbsp; If your model includes a physical market, you will want to consider proximity to your buyers and loading/unloading and parking accommodations.Market assessment is crucial at this stage. Ensure you understand what customers want, current pricing, and genuine market needs rather than assumptions. &nbsp;<h2>5. Why?</h2><h3>Is there a particular mission that you are passionate about? Or a particular group you are looking to lift up?</h3>Understand – and be honest about!&nbsp;– the reasons that you and your team are getting into this.&nbsp;Running a producer hub is a marathon, not a sprint, so it’s essential that you are clear on your ‘why.’&nbsp; This is going to power you forward on those more difficult days, and it can also serve as a key differentiator as you message yourselves to buyers.&nbsp;Don’t just take our word for it!&nbsp; This powerful Ted Talk from Simon Sinek spells out just how crucial it is for organizations to develop clarity around this question:&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/u4ZoJKF_VuA?si=WH1SfXTDLCzi0miO">Starting With Why – How Great Leaders Inspire Action</a><h2>6. How?</h2><h3>How will you actually make this work financially and operationally?&nbsp;</h3>Before launching, you need to understand the financial realities of running a collaborative operation. This includes considering startup capital, infrastructure needs, ongoing operational costs, and how you'll structure fees to sustain the business.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1760989327/Wisconsin_Ledgeview45_2023_d86f3295bd.jpg" alt="Wisconsin-Ledgeview45-2023.JPG"><h3>Ready to Get Started?</h3><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LN_kPT6SJoKVj0eiRjXmeccpOae5M8i0/view?usp=sharing">Use this worksheet as a discussion tool with your core team</a>. The more thoroughly you can answer these questions before launching, the stronger your foundation will be. Remember, it's okay if you don't have all the answers right away—but you should have a plan for how you'll find them.These can be tough but necessary conversations to have before starting. Addressing questions about money, roles, decision-making, and expectations upfront may feel uncomfortable, but working through them now will help you avoid conflict and misunderstandings down the road. The time you invest in these discussions is an investment in your collective's long-term success and sustainability.Building a successful hub, coop, or farm collective takes time, dedication, and careful planning. By working through these questions together, you'll be better positioned to create a sustainable, impactful collaborative business that serves both your growers and your buyers well.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0in;">More Resources</h2>Interested in learning more? &nbsp;Check out our on-demand course with <a href="https://thegardenersworkshop.com/products/collectives-101?srsltid=AfmBOopGkPzdok-Xg2vAeX_41cR02ffc1bOhuZGRqgy_NhFhNRmHfxY2">The Gardener's Workshop - Collectives 101.</a> &nbsp;We built this course to help groups avoid some of the hard lessons that we learned early on as we built our own hubs.

At Rooted, we work with dozens of hubs, co-ops, and farm collectives across the country. We’re often approached by individuals or teams wondering if selling collaboratively makes sense for them, or if they are ready to dive in. To help you and your team evaluate these decisions, we’ve put together discussion prompts and a printable worksheet.

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The 5 W’s + H of Starting a Hub, Coop, or Farm Collective

Read our chat with Ashley Fox of Ashley Fox Designs for how she got started in floral design, sourcing local flowers, collaborating with vendors, and more candid musings.

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Designer Feature: Ashley Fox Designs

We're excited to announce a significant milestone in Rooted Farmers' journey: our platform is officially expanding to include food producers alongside our flower farms!When we launched Rooted Farmers in 2019, we set out to solve a specific problem: small and mid-sized flower farms lacked tools that truly met the needs of their unique operations. The available systems were designed for large industrial operations or conventional online businesses, neither of which reflected how diversified, small-scale farms actually work.<div class="raw-html-embed"><div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1086479481?h=b925be131e&amp;title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="Introducing Rooted Farmers for Food"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script></div>We built our platform from the ground up – we listened to what our farms, hubs, and buyers needed to run and grow their businesses, and we created something that worked for local flower farms and hubs.Several years ago, we began hearing a recurring request from our community: "Could we use the Rooted Farmers platform to sell our produce and eggs alongside our flowers?" We loved the idea! But just as we did with flowers, we didn't want to rush into this expansion without deeply understanding the unique challenges food producers face.We took a research-based approach to building the platform for food. Through partnering with academic institutions and working closely with producers of all types and sizes, we built out pilot technology for some incredible farms and hubs to test and share feedback. This work was made possible through USDA grant funding, as well as grants our partner organizations secured to fund Rooted Farmers in building solutions for their needs. After extensive collaboration and iteration, we created a system that serves both flower and food producers, their hubs, and their buyers. &nbsp; &nbsp;This expansion reflects the growing importance and necessity of strengthening local and regional food systems. By investing in infrastructure that helps small and mid-sized farms thrive, we're building more resilient agricultural communities nationwide.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:3888/5844;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1748377783/DSC_4354_0437af334a.jpg" alt="DSC_4354.jpg" width="3888" height="5844"></figure>We've also made some changes to our brand identity—a refresh that represents our evolution, while honoring our floral roots. Though our look may change, our commitment to supporting growers remains unwavering.We want to thank each of you for being such a central part of this journey! Your work and your feedback are actively strengthening local supply chains everywhere. It's an honor to continue growing together with you as we support resilient, local agriculture in all its forms.-The Rooted Team

We’re expanding — but our mission remains the same: to empower small and mid-size farms and hubs. 

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We're Launching Rooted for Food!

<a href="https://flowerandforgedfarms.com/">Flower &amp; Forged Farms</a>&nbsp;is a family-run regenerative flower farm in Rock Port, Missouri led by Mandy Herron.&nbsp;What began in 2020 as a leap of faith during uncertain times quickly grew into something bigger than Mandy imagined. Encouraged by the overwhelming support from her community, she began supplying farm-fresh blooms to local florists and customers, and never looked back.A military wife and full-time mom, Mandy brings passion and purpose to everything she grows. She shares her knowledge through hands-on tutorials that inspire others to explore the joys of gardening and floral design. With an eye toward growth, she hopes to continue expanding the farm’s impact through education, connection, and the enduring beauty of flowers.Thank you, Mandy for sharing your insights and experience! Be sure to keep up with Flower &amp; Forged Farms on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/flowerandforgedfarms/">Instagram</a> and their <a href="https://flowerandforgedfarms.com/weddings">website</a>.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1080/1350;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745893558/10_cdb0d33275.png" alt="10.png" width="1080" height="1350"><figcaption>Photo credit: Melissa Jones Photo</figcaption></figure><h1>Talk about your flower journey - How did you get started?&nbsp;</h1>I started professionally growing flowers in 2020. However, I had been dabbling with the idea before then; as I was growing flowers as a hobby and using them in some small event design work—church and community events. However, a moment in the garden when I was struggling with pregnancy complications inspired me to pursue growing flowers professionally. I saw my 3-year-old daughter play in the zinnias, chasing butterflies. It gave me peace and hope.&nbsp;I truly believe that flowers are powerful in not just providing beauty but also inspiring us to feel seen and loved. This was made more clear to me as I talked to others in my community.A few years later, our family moved to a farm and graduated from small space growing in a backyard garden to expanding the farm and the business.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745893570/3_9e02ae35a0.png" alt="3.png"><h1>Tell us about your farm and anything you specialize in.&nbsp;</h1>We are completely family-owned and operated. I head up most of the growing operation and my husband, Thomas is the muscle. Our total property is only 2.5 acres, and we grow on about 3/4 of an acre between all our growing spaces. We have truly loved specializing in dahlias, as many of our Rooted customers are event designers and florists. It’s magical to see our dahlias, as well as other flowers and foliage, grace these beautiful event spaces.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745893565/7_e9356a5670.png" alt="7.png"><h1>Talk about anything you love about using&nbsp;Rooted!&nbsp;</h1>We live in a very small community about an hour south of Omaha, Nebraska, and two hours north of Kansas City, MO. Being able to connect with florists through our amazing collective,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flatlandfloralcollective.com/">Flatland Floral Collective,</a> has truly pivoted the business in such an amazing way. The tools of Rooted Farmers make it so easy for buyers to see and request availability. There isn’t a ton of the back and forth—that I hear about from other grower friends, not using Rooted— and it's so easy to see when orders come in. Everything is in one place, making it so easy to communicate with florists and our amazing team at Flatland Floral Collective.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745893558/8_7fb7e7f91e.png" alt="8.png"><h1>What advice would you give your past self or someone just starting out on their farming journey?&nbsp;</h1>Start small and go slow.&nbsp;This is something I have to remind myself—even now! It’s easy to want to grow all the things and then start feeling overwhelmed or defeated when things fail. You’ll learn quickly that you can do all the right things, but you’re not in control of things like the weather. Relying on a handful of crops that grow well even under stress will save your time and sanity!&nbsp;<h1><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745893580/6_89638fb7d4.png" alt="6.png"> Talk about your crop planning process - how do you decide what to grow?&nbsp;</h1>I always wish my planning process were a little easier. But it does get better year after year. Rooted Farmers has a very cool feature that tracks sales by flower type and color. It simplifies my planning process because I can track my sales, see what is actually selling, and go from there.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745893564/16_d88c78f14f.png" alt="16.png"><h1>Has your farm changed in ways you didn't expect when you first started?&nbsp;</h1>When I first started, I had always intended on trying to sell to florists. However, a bad experience with a local retail floral shop left me feeling pretty defeated—I had no idea how wire services worked at the time, and so that lack of understanding caused me to almost give in to defeat. But then, when I was able to connect to floral designers who yearned for local flowers through Rooted and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flatlandfloralcollective.com/">Flatland Floral Collectiv</a>e, it revolutionized my business. I am forever grateful for that opportunity for connection within the industry.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745893571/14_f2833f3d97.png" alt="14.png"><h1>Shout-out a flower friend or mentor that inspires you or made you a better farmer!</h1>I have to shout out the <a href="https://www.flatlandfloralcollective.com/">Flatland Floral Collective</a>. It truly is an amazing team of growers who all work together to make floral dreams come true for our buyers. Jamie of <a href="https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fharvesthomeflowers.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeOqYbIhvdN7Ml04r8WhjFvI2_5cbY8y4oUy5rbLB2nO532Rk4czquYpFUtwg_aem_ZaiqsTcTruFJmqzKaPsodg&amp;e=AT3MBPs_uDxWz061OCaeZ-_MDprKyGzDxdX2PmkYKgpIrNm4lNn7qwloTd68ee_ucqnN5xm7Q7qfmp9fUebY_sn9rXHZKwKF83p15QPNKEwK7UGQMwrJ">Harvest Home</a> is not only an owner of the collective, but a mentor to us all—with her knowledge and years of experience we all stop to listen and make note of all her wisdom and growing experience. I truly wouldn’t be as successful as a grower if it weren’t for the mentorship and teamwork of this amazing community!&nbsp;&nbsp;Thank you again Mandy! Be sure to follow Flower &amp; Forged Farms on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/flowerandforgedfarms/">Instagram</a> and their <a href="https://flowerandforgedfarms.com/weddings">website</a>.

Hear from Mandy Herron of Flower & Forged Farms located in Rock Port, Missouri. Through engaging, hands-on tutorials shared across her social media channels, Mandy inspires others to discover the beauty of growing and floral design. Looking ahead, she’s focused on growing the farm’s impact by fostering education, building connections, and celebrating the timeless appeal of flowers.

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Farmer Feature: Flower & Forged Farms

We are so excited to feature Alexis Sheffield of <a href="https://wildrootsfarmerflorist.com/">Wild Roots</a>, the specialty cut flower farm and floral design studio located in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Along with her partner Tyler, and adorable pups, Remy and Finn, Wild Roots grows both annuals and perennials on about an acre of land.Their fresh, local, and sustainably grown flowers are used to fill their CSA program, as well as special orders and full-service and à la carte weddings. Alexis shared with us about her beginnings in horticulture, why she added more yellow flowers to the crop plan this year, plus, a little about the magic found in farming.&nbsp;Thank you, Alexis, for sharing from the heart! Be sure to keep up with Wild Roots on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wildrootsfarmerflorist/">Instagram</a> and their <a href="https://wildrootsfarmerflorist.com/">website</a>.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1080/1350;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745869204/8_30e1917316.png" alt="8.png" width="1080" height="1350"><figcaption>Photo credit: Wild Roots</figcaption></figure><h1>Talk about your flower journey - How did you get started?&nbsp;</h1>I got started farming because I have this terrible habit of turning all my hobbies into hustles—ha! But in all seriousness, I have degrees in horticulture, so it was pretty clear early on that plants were going to be a big part of my life.&nbsp;After grad school, one full-time job just didn’t feel like enough, so I started designing wedding florals for friends. When it came time for my wedding, I did what so many of us do and said, “I’m just going to grow it all myself!” I mean, what did I go to school for if not to grow things?&nbsp;That was ten seasons ago, and since then, we’ve grown from a tiny plot of rented land to a farm of our own.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1080/1350;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745869190/19_44177048f6.png" alt="19.png" width="1080" height="1350"><figcaption>Photo credit: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/seriouslysabrina/">Seriously Sabrina Photo</a></figcaption></figure><h1>Tell us about your farm and anything you specialize in.&nbsp;</h1>Like many flower farmers, we grow a little bit of everything—but we try to focus on the weird and wonderful, especially native Kentucky plants. While some KY natives are already staples in the cut flower world (hello, baptisia and solidago!), there are so many underused gems we’d love to see more of in floral design. If you’ve ever seen Queen of the Prairie or Rattlesnake Master, you know exactly what I mean.&nbsp;We moved to our 14-acre farm in the fall of 2020 and are currently producing on about one acre. That includes a few hundred woody shrubs, peonies, and around a third of an acre of perennials and annuals, as well as two high tunnels and a propagation greenhouse where we are experimenting with winter production. It’s just me and my partner running the show, with about 10 hours a week of extra help.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1080/1350;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745869181/16_ff71d25253.png" alt="16.png" width="1080" height="1350"><figcaption>Photo credit: Cassie Lopez Photography</figcaption></figure><h1>Talk about anything you love about using&nbsp;Rooted!&nbsp;</h1>I firmly believe—and have the numbers to prove it—that we wouldn’t have been able to grow our wholesale business without Rooted. Even more importantly, we owe a huge part of our success to the Kentucky Flower Market collective we’re proud to be part of.&nbsp;Both my partner and I work full-time jobs in addition to running the farm, so managing wholesale orders before Rooted and KFM was honestly a nightmare. Keeping track of everything was overwhelming, and delivering to more than a few shops just wasn’t realistic—we simply didn’t have the time or mental bandwidth.&nbsp;Using an online platform has been a total game-changer. It’s simplified our lives and allowed us to focus on what we do best: growing beautiful, sustainable blooms. &nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1080/1350;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745869196/17_f3066d56fd.png" alt="17.png" width="1080" height="1350"><figcaption>Photo credit: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dani.ford/">Dani Ford Photography</a></figcaption></figure><h1>Talk about your crop planning process - how do you decide what to grow?</h1>Now that I have a solid amount of my own sales data—and access to Rooted’s national trends—I’ve really leaned into using the analytics tab to plan for the upcoming season. I looked closely at what was trending, what was new, and what sold unexpectedly well.&nbsp;For example, I never would have ordered more yellow butterfly ranunculus this year if I hadn’t checked my past sales and seen how quickly they sold last season. Yellow usually isn’t a top color in my market, so that insight was a total surprise—and exactly the kind of thing that helps me make smarter growing decisions.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1080/1350;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745869186/9_bab99764ee.png" alt="9.png" width="1080" height="1350"><figcaption>Photo credit: Wild Roots</figcaption></figure><h1>What’s one thing you wish more people understood about flower farming?</h1>Not just flower farming, but farming in general is a learned skill.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>What is a lesson in flower farming that you've had to learn the hard way?</h1>You will&nbsp;always&nbsp;feel behind—seriously. If there’s a farmer out there who&nbsp;never&nbsp;feels behind at some point in the season, no matter their scale or how much help they have, I’ll eat an aphid!&nbsp;I’ve learned to give myself grace. We work in an industry that’s completely dependent on the weather, and here in Kentucky, Mother Nature can be&nbsp;very&nbsp;unpredictable.&nbsp;But the truth is, it always works out in the end. Some of my best discoveries have come from planting something “too late” and ending up with blooms at a time I never would’ve expected. Farming keeps you humble, but it also keeps you learning—and that’s part of the magic.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1080/1350;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745869179/11_bc587e8e11.png" alt="11.png" width="1080" height="1350"><figcaption>Photo credit: Laura Bodnar Photography</figcaption></figure><h1>What is one small joy in your farming routine that never gets old?</h1>Gosh, I just love all forms of propagation—seed starting, cuttings, dividing plants—the whole gamut. There’s something so satisfying about it. It makes me feel productive and future-focused, while also being incredibly calming.&nbsp;And then, when those little seeds finally pop up? As a farmer, name a better feeling! That moment—along with harvesting the first stem of a crop—is always so special. Even if I’ve grown it a dozen times before, there’s still that little spark of pride when I can say,&nbsp;“I actually did it.”&nbsp;No matter how many plants I’ve grown over the years, that feeling never gets old. &nbsp;Thank you, Alexis, for sharing your journey with us! Be sure to keep up with Wild Roots on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wildrootsfarmerflorist/">Instagram</a> and their <a href="https://wildrootsfarmerflorist.com/">website</a>.

Wild Roots is a specialty cut flower farm and floral design studio located in the charming town of Harrodsburg, Kentucky. The Wild Roots crew is composed of Grower/Designer Alexis, CFO Tyler, and their Farm Managers, Remy and Finn the Corgis. Wild Roots has a love of native Kentucky flowers and enjoys using unusual elements in their designs, while focusing on sustainable growing practices to produce beautiful blooms.

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Farmer Feature: Wild Roots

What a joy to hear from Christina Natale, the farmer behind <a href="https://www.littlehenfarmct.com/">Little Hen Farms</a>, situated on 4 acres in North Haven, Connecticut. At Little Hen Farms, they specialize in growing cut flowers for special orders, DIY buckets, and wholesale, while also beautifying their surrounding area.While they only farm on about half of their available land, they do so intensively. Along with flowers, they have a small flock of chickens and a large garden where they grow food for their family and friends. &nbsp;They grow as naturally as possible, without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides, and with minimal tillage. Their flower arrangements are whimsical, wild, and bring the garden indoors!Check out Little Hen Farm's <a href="https://www.littlehenfarmct.com/">website</a> for more about their farm, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/littlehenfarmct/">follow them on Instagram</a> for flower farming inspiration!&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1080/1350;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745475403/3_2c3e0c5e44.png" alt="3.png" width="1080" height="1350"><figcaption>Photo credit: Little Hen Farms</figcaption></figure><h1>Talk about your flower journey - How did you get started?</h1>I've been farming on and off in some form or another since my first job in high school. After some indecision in&nbsp;college, I landed on a Plant Science/Ecology degree,&nbsp;which led me to realize that I have always just wanted to run a farm myself. I worked on and off vegetable farms for the next decade learning the&nbsp;ins and outs. Still, it wasn't until I had a side gig assisting a really&nbsp;talented floral designer in Philly (shoutout&nbsp;@textureflorals)&nbsp;that I realized the market for local flowers was there. I have always&nbsp;had a&nbsp;creative side, and I feel like farming flowers has united my love for working outside in the dirt,&nbsp;and also creating beautiful things. LHF is going into its 6th official season this&nbsp;year and we're more excited about growing flowers than ever!<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1080/1350;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745475396/9_d0ac1910e8.png" alt="9.png" width="1080" height="1350"><figcaption>Photo credit: Little Hen Farms</figcaption></figure><h1 style="margin-left:0px;">Tell us about your farm and anything you specialize in:</h1> We have 4.5 acres but only really grow on half of it. We intensively grow about&nbsp;an&nbsp;acre of annual flowers&nbsp;and have slowly been adding to another acre of high-value perennials for&nbsp;cuts. We love growing in the spring and fall seasons and have been slowly moving crops away from blooming in high summer when flower&nbsp;sales dip and temperatures rise.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1080/1350;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745475353/8_962def10b0.png" alt="8.png" width="1080" height="1350"><figcaption>Photo credit: Little Hen Farms</figcaption></figure><h1>Talk about anything you love about using&nbsp;Rooted!&nbsp;</h1> Rooted is amazing! Since our farm's conception, we've been a part of The <a href="https://ctflowercollective.com/farms">Connecticut Flower Collective</a>, which now uses Rooted as its selling platform. Before Rooted, we were using spreadsheets to handle our inventories and it was a logistical nightmare for someone like me who does not like being on the computer much. Rooted makes the inventory updating process so fast and easy. I love that we can easily change out pictures of the product we are selling and update quantities in seconds. It's also pretty amazing that as a Collective, our buyers can shop through all of our grower's&nbsp;inventory in one list.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745475387/2_bab34f6beb.png" alt="2.png"><figcaption>Photo credit: Little Hen Farms</figcaption></figure><h1>What advice would you give your past self or someone just starting out on their farming journey?&nbsp;</h1> The advice I would give to someone just starting out on their farming journey would be to go work on some farms for a season or two. Learning on the job is the best form of training I received and learning from farmers who have systems in place can&nbsp;help you figure out what kinds of systems you want to implement. Also, I would give my past self the advice of not trying to do everything at once when I first started. Grow a few things well and expand from there as your market demands it!<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1080/1350;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745475406/15_ea98edb6f8.png" alt="15.png" width="1080" height="1350"><figcaption>Photo credit: Little Hen Farms</figcaption></figure><h1>What’s one thing you wish more people understood about flower farming?</h1> Many people think that flower farming is just traipsing around a wildflower field in a dress picking and arranging flowers... oh boy are they wrong! Flower farming is still farming, and while yes, it is GORGEOUS sometimes, it's also muddy, cold, wet, windy, buggy, hot as hell, and so much physical labor. I love it and wouldn't trade it, but people have misconceptions about what actually goes into growing flowers at a marketable scale. There's also this misconception that local flowers have to be dirt cheap. Farming is expensive, and farming specialty flowers that our customers want to buy is expensive! We're all just trying to make a living.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1080/1350;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1745475398/10_4c69cc416b.png" alt="10.png" width="1080" height="1350"><figcaption>Photo credit: Little Hen Farms</figcaption></figure><h1 style="margin-left:0px;">What’s one small joy in your farming routine that never gets old?</h1> Oh boy- I love, love, love walking around my farm in spring and peaking at all the perennials waking up. I feel like every day I go out there's something new sprouting and it's honestly my favorite thing to watch.BIG thanks to Christina for sharing about <a href="https://www.littlehenfarmct.com/">Little Hen Farm</a>'s story.

Christina Natale of Little Hen Farms is a specialty cut flower farm in North Haven, Connecticut. They focus on growing annual flowers on one acre, with another acre of high-value perennials, rounding out their offerings for wholesale, special orders, and DIY buckets.

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Farmer Feature: Little Hen Farm

Situated on over 400 acres of preserved land in Scarborough, Maine, Broadturn Farm is more than just a flower farm—it's a living example of how beauty, sustainability, and community care can grow side by side. With about 4 acres in vibrant floral production, Broadturn serves its own design clients, CSA members, wholesale buyers, and loyal farmstand visitors.We connected with Alaena, who gave us insights into Broadturn’s thoughtful crop planning process, the evolution of their systems, and what she wishes she’d known starting out.&nbsp;Be sure to check out Broadturn's <a href="https://broadturnfarm.com/">website</a> for more about their offerings, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/broadturn_farm/">follow them on Instagram</a> for lots of flower inspiration.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:912/1296;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1744328457/Screenshot_2025_04_09_at_11_05_31_PM_49afe44aef.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-04-09 at 11.05.31 PM.png" width="912" height="1296"><figcaption>Photo credit: Broadturn Farm</figcaption></figure><h1>Tell us about your farm and anything you specialize in.</h1>We grow around four acres of annuals and perennials on a property of over 400 acres preserved by the Scarborough Land Trust. Our markets include our own design business, wholesale, CSA, and farmstand. We also host events. We are highly diversified in what we grow, but some of our top crops include dahlias, peonies, ranunculus, and tulips. Herbaceous perennials are a favorite for sure!<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1172/1534;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1744328477/Screenshot_2025_04_09_at_11_06_22_PM_bc3ea1421a.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-04-09 at 11.06.22 PM.png" width="1172" height="1534"><figcaption>Photo credit: Broadturn Farm</figcaption></figure><h1>Talk about anything you love about using&nbsp;Rooted!&nbsp;</h1>We used to use spreadsheets with links to Pinterest for our availability, which was really time-consuming and not user-friendly. We love that we can upload our own images to Rooted, and it is easy to change them throughout the season so they accurately depict what we are offering. We also love that we can edit inventory throughout the week rather than being tied to a list that is sent out just once a week. Consolidated harvest lists are very helpful.&nbsp; &nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1148/1576;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1744328489/Screenshot_2025_04_09_at_10_59_36_PM_c85cc2de4f.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-04-09 at 10.59.36 PM.png" width="1148" height="1576"><figcaption>Photo credit: Broadturn Farm</figcaption></figure><h1>What advice would you give your past self or someone just starting out on their farming journey?&nbsp;</h1>People often give the advice to "start small" or not "do everything at once," but I think there are thoughtful ways to try out a lot without harming your business. There's no way to know what you are good at or what works on your farm without some trial and error. Sometimes, you have to burn out on something to realize what it is you really want to be doing. Say 'yes' to as much as you can handle and get those extra varieties of seeds that intrigue you! Then, you can really relish in the joy of cutting things out down the road.&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1744328501/Screenshot_2025_04_09_at_11_20_35_PM_37541fd21e.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-04-09 at 11.20.35 PM.png"><h1>Talk about your crop planning process - how do you decide what to grow?</h1>It's a healthy mix of historical data, intuition, and yearly reports. Every season, we evaluate the numbers of what sold and weigh that with our gut feelings about how each crop "felt" that season - did it feel like we had enough? Did we have too much? Has it been a flop for too many years?&nbsp; Is it annoying to harvest? We are lucky to have plenty of land, so we don't usually have to make difficult decisions when it comes to space.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1148/1560;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1744328475/Screenshot_2025_04_09_at_10_56_23_PM_4303c66b5a.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-04-09 at 10.56.23 PM.png" width="1148" height="1560"><figcaption>Photo credit: Broadturn Farm</figcaption></figure><h1>What’s one thing you wish more people understood about flower farming?</h1>Sometimes, we get a little salty when people tell us, "How amazing it must be to work on a flower farm." Farming is hard work! And we aren't just standing around sniffing blooms all day. But the truth is, it really is amazing, and we feel grateful to have chosen a career that allows us to be both challenged and delighted daily.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1744328403/pf_f24fcbcd_Claudia_Colin4282_855b45d09c.webp" alt="pf-f24fcbcd--ClaudiaColin4282.webp"><h1>Shout-out a flower friend or mentor who inspires you/makes you a better farmer/has helped you.</h1>The local farming community we have met through the ASCFG, the Flowering in the North Conference, and MOFGA are the best! It's so nice to know that support is always a text away. I also want to give a shout-out to our incredible, hardworking crew. None of this work would be possible without them!&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1306/1628;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1744328482/Screenshot_2025_04_09_at_11_18_44_PM_d4e44d3014.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-04-09 at 11.18.44 PM.png" width="1306" height="1628"><figcaption>Photo credit: Broadturn Farm</figcaption></figure>Thank you, Alaena and the entire Broadturn crew, for sharing your insight, experience, and flower-fueled wisdom with us!

Broadturn Farm is a thriving flower and produce farm in Scarborough, Maine, growing around 4 acres of flowers for wholesale, CSA, farmstand sales, and their wedding design business. Situated on over 400 acres preserved by the Scarborough Land Trust, the farm also serves as a stunning event venue, showcasing seasonal floral designs known for their texture, fragrance, and delicate details. Located on land historically occupied and contested by the Pequawket people of the Abenaki Nation, Broadturn honors this legacy as part of its ongoing political and spiritual practice of learning, engagement, and care.

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Farmer Feature: Broadturn Farm

We're thrilled to catch up with Marisa Keris, the flower farmer behind <a href="https://www.farmerladyflowers.com/">Farmer Lady Flowers</a>, based in Allentown, New Jersey. Marisa's informal education in flowers has been enriched through years of gardening, working on farms, and teaching art - specifically botanical drawing and working with natural dyes. Trained as a studio painter, Marisa holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA from Tyler School of Art.&nbsp;Inspired by her deep love for nature, and background in art, Marisa became a professional grower after growing up on her family's fourth-generation farm in Allentown, where she currently grows her flowers.&nbsp;Marisa is one of the founding members and President of Jersey Cut Flower Market, a successful cut flower coop comprised of 11 small-scale flower farms.&nbsp;Her mission is to grow flowers sustainably and seasonally, to create beauty, and bring that beauty to the community, while assisting in the stewardship of the family farm. Be sure to follow along with Marisa's beautiful flowers on her <a href="https://www.instagram.com/farmerladyflowers/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.farmerladyflowers.com/">website</a>.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743656728/1_Screenshot_2025_03_26_at_10_20_58_PM_f2d5e8d5c4.png" alt="1Screenshot 2025-03-26 at 10.20.58 PM.png"><h1>Talk about your flower journey - How did you get started?? &nbsp;</h1>I’m in my seventh year of growing cut flowers professionally, but I have always been a gardener. It took me years, two fine art degrees, multiple jobs, and moves to figure out how to bridge my artistic background with my love for the family farm and growing things. I grew up on the Christmas tree farm where I currently grow!<h1><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743656742/1_Screenshot_2025_04_02_at_9_35_27_PM_740f59ea73.png" alt="1Screenshot 2025-04-02 at 9.35.27 PM.png"> Tell us about your farm and anything you specialize in:</h1> I grow on about two acres of the 24-acre family Christmas tree farm. We specialize in high-end varieties and colors of “wedding” flowers. We mainly sell wholesale at my co-op Jersey Cut Flower Market and also sell via farm pickup and a farmer’s market. We also take a few small weddings and workshops every year.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743656652/1_IMG_3366_1695497013_906acadbf2.webp" alt="1IMG_3366_1695497013.webp"><h1>What do you love most about using Rooted and being part of a collective?</h1>Rooted opened up so many possibilities, like efficiently operating our co-op! Meeting and working with other local growers has been life-changing for my business, social life, and overall well-being.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743751202/1_Screenshot_2025_03_26_at_10_23_03_PM_bdc7e5b926.png" alt="1Screenshot 2025-03-26 at 10.23.03 PM.png"><h1>What advice would you give your past self or someone just starting out on their farming journey?&nbsp;</h1>I’m a self-taught flower farmer who has the amazing privilege of having grown up on land and having access to farm that land. I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to explore this career. Even with all this access, I struggled to figure it out. My advice would be to just keep moving forward, just keep going after what you want.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743656740/1_Screenshot_2025_04_02_at_9_36_06_PM_62790d965b.png" alt="1Screenshot 2025-04-02 at 9.36.06 PM.png"><h1>Can you talk about your crop planning process? How do you decide what to grow?</h1>With little kids in the mix, sometimes I’ve resorted to an intuitive (last-minute) approach. But now I work up plans and seed orders in January and look at the Rooted data from our co-op sales. I still grow a few unfamiliar things each year to explore new possibilities.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743656721/1_Screenshot_2025_03_26_at_10_13_49_PM_9b46446e2b.png" alt="1Screenshot 2025-03-26 at 10.13.49 PM.png"><h1>Can you share a success story that you’re particularly proud of? Maybe a moment when things came together in a way that exceeded your expectations?</h1>The day we got our shipping container cooler hooked up was a game changer, and just in time for tulip season! Where there’s a will there’s a way.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743656692/1_E44_D09_C9_B5_FE_4_BF_5_BE_7_F_C9_CFF_8769_B19_1695497116_1c613506fa.webp" alt="1E44D09C9-B5FE-4BF5-BE7F-C9CFF8769B19_1695497116.webp"><h1>Has your farm changed in ways you didn’t expect when you first started?</h1>I didn’t expect to actually make a living doing what I liked, because I failed at it a couple of times. Paying myself a living wage has been the single most important thing for my business survival and my personal creative freedom. It’s all because of our wonderful customers and local co-op.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743656694/1_IMG_3386_1695496991_copy_f2425ebe37.webp" alt="1IMG_3386_1695496991 copy.webp"><h1>What’s one thing you wish more people understood about flower farming?</h1>It’s dirty, sweaty, and a test of your physical abilities and boundaries. It’s mentally exhausting and fulfilling at the same time. You have to learn about things like irrigation and assemble these things yourself with the help of mentors, suppliers, and the internet!<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743656729/1_Screenshot_2025_03_26_at_10_26_21_PM_fd206b5276.png" alt="1Screenshot 2025-03-26 at 10.26.21 PM.png"><h1>What’s a lesson you’ve had to learn the hard way in flower farming?</h1>For every beautiful success, there’s a problem to solve or a thing to repair. It’s expensive! I’ve really come to prioritize spending and value the tools I’ve invested in.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743656731/1_Screenshot_2025_03_26_at_10_23_52_PM_18814e6524.png" alt="1Screenshot 2025-03-26 at 10.23.52 PM.png"><h1>What’s one small joy in your farming routine that never gets old?</h1>I love the physicality of farming, and I do not take for granted that I have access to fresh air and movement every day.&nbsp;<h1>Do you have a favorite go-to book as a growing resource?</h1>This year I’ve added to my library: The Cut Flower Sourcebook, Lean Farming, Flower Farming for Profit, SWGM’s Floral Standards.<span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(51,65,85);font-family:&quot;DM Sans&quot;, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif, &quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;, &quot;Noto Color Emoji&quot;;">Be sure to check out Farmer Lady Flower's <a href="https://www.farmerladyflowers.com/">website</a><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(51,65,85);font-family:&quot;DM Sans&quot;, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif, &quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;, &quot;Noto Color Emoji&quot;;"> for more about Marisa's offerings and follow on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/farmerladyflowers/"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(51,65,85);font-family:&quot;DM Sans&quot;, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif, &quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;, &quot;Noto Color Emoji&quot;;">Instagram</a><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(51,65,85);font-family:&quot;DM Sans&quot;, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif, &quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;, &quot;Noto Color Emoji&quot;;"> to keep up with her beautiful blooms!

Marisa Keris of Farmer Lady Flowers is a sustainable flower farmer and floral designer based in New Jersey. She grows specialty cut flowers on two acres of her family’s Christmas tree farm, supplying wholesale buyers, weddings, and her flower stand.

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Farmer Feature: Farmer Lady Flowers

Bumbleroot Organic Farm has been growing food, flowers, and community since 2015. We caught up with Melissa Law who runs their flower operation. Melissa and her partner Ben own and operate Bumbleroot along with Jeff and Abby. The two families live on the land with their children.The team grows 7-8 acres of diversified vegetables, herbs, and flowers on their 89-acre parcel, selling directly to their local community in Maine.Bumbleroot's flower program, makes up about a quarter of their operation. Melissa came to farming through her studies in herbalism, and flowers were a natural evolution from there! Melissa was also one of the founding members of the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maineflowercollective/?hl=en">Maine Flower Collective</a>.&nbsp;Learn more about Bumbleroot's background on their <a href="https://www.bumblerootorganicfarm.com/">website</a>, and be sure to follow them on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bumblerootorganicfarm/?hl=en">Instagram</a> for some serious farming inspiration.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1000/667;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743139342/MW_5_3237_c3551b1399.jpg" alt="MW5_3237.jpg" width="1000" height="667"><figcaption>Photo credit: Bumbleroot Organic Farm</figcaption></figure><h1>Talk about your flower journey - How did you get started??&nbsp;</h1>Bumbleroot is a certified organic vegetable and flower farm with 5-6 acres in production, including 6 high tunnels and 6 low tunnels to help extend our growing season. We are entering our 11th season and have been growing cut flowers since the beginning! The land we grow on was originally stewarded by the Abenaki people, and our mission today is to connect people with the land and food that sustains us.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:3000/2000;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743139713/MW_4_9665_2_0fbd1e092a.jpg" alt="MW4_9665 (2).jpg" width="3000" height="2000"><figcaption>Photo credit: Bumbleroot Organic Farm</figcaption></figure><h1>Tell us about a moment you are particularly proud of:</h1>I have learned so much about growing and selling flowers over the past decade, but the highlight of my flower farming journey so far has been working with other growers and designers to start up the <a href="https://www.maineflowercollective.org/">Maine Flower Collective</a>. It's been such a collaborative effort, and it has been amazing to build flower friendships and see the local flower movement flourish here in Maine. Shout out to all the amazing humans who've worked tirelessly to get the MFC off the ground and all the way to year three!<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1308/1636;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743139716/Screenshot_2025_03_24_at_10_41_03_PM_6a9452dbb2.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-03-24 at 10.41.03 PM.png" width="1308" height="1636"><figcaption>Photo credit: Bumbleroot Organic Farm</figcaption></figure><h1 style="margin-left:0px;">Share a bit about your experience about using Rooted Farmers:</h1>Rooted Farmers has been a huge catalyst of growth for both Bumbleroot and the collective. It has enabled us to make connections with buyers across the whole state - far beyond our original customer base and delivery routes focused in the Portland area.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:2000/3000;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743139720/MW_5_4585_3_73d01b3075.jpg" alt="MW5_4585 (3).jpg" width="2000" height="3000"><figcaption>Photo credit: Bumbleroot Organic Farm</figcaption></figure>Since starting to use Rooted, our business&nbsp;model has shifted significantly towards wholesale flower sales - its inventory system, pricing tools, and analytics have helped us get a much better grasp on the demands of the market and the profitability (or lack thereof) of the crops we grow. We'll always grow flowers for our local community through our CSA and farmstand, but wholesale has become our bread &amp; butter. And dahlias - we like those too!&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1234/1590;" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/djd5ioypi/image/upload/v1743139718/Screenshot_2025_03_24_at_10_40_18_PM_fe3d22578f.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-03-24 at 10.40.18 PM.png" width="1234" height="1590"><figcaption>Photo credit: Bumbleroot Organic Farm</figcaption></figure>Be sure to check out Bumbleroot's <a href="https://www.bumblerootorganicfarm.com/">website</a> for more about their awesome operation and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bumblerootorganicfarm/?hl=en">follow them on Instagram</a> for farming inspiration.&nbsp;

Hear from Melissa Law of Bumbleroot Organic Farm, rooted in Windham, Maine. The team grows 7-8 acres of diversified vegetables, herbs, and flowers on their 89-acre parcel, selling directly to their local community in Maine.

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