Planning for Your New Year

As the warm months begin to tie up and we’re putting our beds to rest, we start to clear a schedule to support custom consultations for growers. The fall and winter months are when flower dreams happen. This is when we evaluate our past production, set goals for changes, and take the first steps to help our business grow. Because- for flower farmers— next year— is always better. And it’s true— the promise of a new season is an annual boost of optimism.

In the last week alone, we’ve received a half dozen requests from flower farmers, both established and new, for information about our custom consultation services.

We offer 1 hour consultations or visits and 4 hour or full day in-depth farm tours and planning sessions here at our place. Our time together - virtually or in person is based on the problems our clients want to solve.

Sometimes those questions are centered squarely on flower farming practice. In this case we may be offering our system for bed preparation, soil amendment recommendations, our companion planting practices, suggestions for high-value/multi-use perennials, suggestions for weed abatement or pest pressure, and so on.

Other clients are looking to talk with us about increasing the profitability of their farms. They want to know if their farm/business can be adjusted to support their families’ needs. They are interested in learning how I’ve been able to serve as my family’s primary breadwinner, attract and maintain an awesome staff, which types of plants and plant products offer the highest profit margin for the kind of work they’re comfortable doing, etc.

Still others are looking for assistance with a nitty gritty project- like jumping into fresh flower shipping without an extensive trial and error period or “learning the hard way” and risking a loss of consumer confidence. For this type of request we can offer information on how to acquire reduced overnight shipping rates, how to expedite shipping services through your website and accurately account for expenses, how and where to purchase packaging and make branded packaging, how to make easy, automatic shipping label printing a part of process, and more!

Or a consultation client may want a custom plan for marketing and sales. Or a proven means to earn high end (or low end) wedding/event clients and an understanding of the industry/customer expectations around that kind of work. Or an organized system for wholesale sales to florists.

I’ve had the experience of learning how to make my rural farm (read: few customers) in a challenging climate (read: very short growing season from June 1 to September 1) work (read: profitable from it’s very first season). Throughout my journey, I’ve held strong to the notion that experimentation is necessary and to be celebrated. It was through risk taking and curiosity and jumping in feet first that I waded through those early years of flower farming— the years when no one, least of all myself, expected much to come of this soggy little patch in the northern Adirondacks. I hope that, at the very least, the things I’ve learned here can make someone else’s venture easier. It’s never too late to make a change to your farm or to your career. My advice- think about the future— at this time next year will you be wishing you made a change that you’re nervous about making now? I never want to be someone who’s looking back and thinking…”I sure wish I’d just asked for help with _______.”

Few people in this industry are willing to offer custom services/advice/help. I think it’s my prior life as a teacher (12 years in secondary education and communications work) that makes me want to fill that void. So don’t be a stranger! Take a look at our learning opportunities and let me know if you’d like to chat or visit and see how things work for yourself.

And- if you’d like to set up a small group visit, we’re offering a discount of 30% to two or more farms who sign up to come together! (limit 5 farms at a time) Please inquire at hello@littlefarmhouseflowers.com for a discount code for your small group. Offer valid for bookings in 2022. Pricing and booking information available here.

Here’s to next season! Let’s make it the best yet!