Meri Jo Flower Farm is a family business that started two year ago when the Kilmer folk purchase a 12 - acre Equus caballus ranch at Beaumont and Livingston roads in Highland , Michigan . Angie Kilmer had her middle on the property for eld , and one twenty-four hour period a for sale sign popped up . Kilmer , an accountant , bought the earth to grow and sell cut flowers . Spinal Column interviewed Kilmer on her business , this year ’s bloom course and the pandemic .

How does thebusinesswork?“I think snub flower land is following the “ farm to table ” trend . A large percent of cut flowers purchased in the U.S. are spell from other countries like Colombia . Flowers grown topically last longer because they do not have the travel time after harvesting like imported flowers do . Some flower do not ship well , which is an advantage for a local farmer since these flower can be enjoyed with minimum handling . ”

“ The ‘ microfarm ’ concept is very pop . You do not need a lot of estate to acquire heyday crop . With tighter plant spatial arrangement and chronological sequence planting ( reel crop and planting at intervals for a consistent supply of a peak variety ) a good amount of prime can be arise in a small blank – even a backyard ! ”

“ prime James Leonard Farmer betray their crops in a routine of room : farm stands ( we have a efflorescence go-cart at our farm ) , farmer ’s marketplace , flower subscription programs , CSAs ( Community Supported Agriculture ) , and wholesale to the floral design industry and market stores are among the most democratic . ”

This year ’s flower trends“We have n’t yet reached a point where we are providing flowers for wedding and larger events . I do go to a numeral of floristry grouping , so I am in tune with what is requested from flowered designers , and in crook requested by floral designers of flower farmers . I am seeing some fun things like prom bouquet , a small version of a bridesmaid bouquet . Wedding trends seem to be follow a muted color palette with magniloquent grasses and dried bloom . I have been keeping an optic on these trend to help with ordering for next year . ”

“ Of of course , the pandemic presented challenge , but not in a way of life you would expect . With more people continue home and enjoy the outdoors and nature , there was an increase in gardening ! While this is a wonderful transmutation , it create shipping delay and shortages of supplies . At one point , I could n’t get hold a Mason jar to save my living because so many the great unwashed were canning their vegetable harvests ! I also found that I had to order my seeds , bulbs and tubers much before than normal because there was so much more demand than there had been previously . ”To read the perfect consultation , go to www.spinalcolumnonline.com .