When opportunity knocks; you open the door and say ‘hello’. That is exactly what we did last year after my husband and I signed the contract on a larger piece of land to raise our children and expand our future in cut flower production.

It all began five years ago when I was looking for a side hustle. I thought I could use my knowledge from being a horticulture teacher to grow potted chrysanthemums and sell them at my house during the fall months. We named our tiny business Barnside Nursery since we were only going to grow one type of crop.

*Mums varieties are typically have girl names. I love to call them my gal pals when I’m checking on them in the field. A couple of my favorites are Hannah and Bonnie Red!*

Just like any small business owner, this ‘little’ endeavor taught me so many components about running a successful business. But at the time, I was trying to balance a full-time job, be a fulfilling mom and wife, and maintain a small business, to say the least, we definitely had our ups and downs. Even when life was crazy being a teacher, FFA advisor, and balancing kids’ activities, flowers were still planted, grew, and customers continuously came and admired our quality of flowers. This truly warmed my heart. I have always felt so honored when people took time out of their busy schedules to buy mums from my family. And for that, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that has supported us from the very beginning. You guys kept coming each year, recommending us to your friends, liking and sharing my Facebook posts; all of it, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I love meeting you all and I hope my flowers will always bring a smile and warm your heart.

Since they were six, they have not just my helper, but my planting partners! I couldn’t have filled and planted all the pots without these two! There are turning into plant gurus, but they definitely would not admit it! :-)

As years past and seasons change so does what the heart wants. My first love, besides my husband and children, was agriculture education. I love working with high school students! Helping students grow from a timid freshman to a graduated senior ready to conquer the world and teaching them the importance of agriculture along the way! It brought me so much joy! But after my husband and I found out we were expecting our son Jase, we both knew it was time to make a change. My heart needed to focus on the four precious gifts from heaven that Aaron and I received. Therefore, after twelve years of teaching, I knew it was time to stay at home and make my family the central component of my life.

*Jase and me hanging out in the mum field last year!*

After baby #4 made his grand entrance into this world, we were officially a family of six. I took extra time for our snuggle time, late-night feedings, and quiet time with him since he was the baby. During this time, I thought about how really do I want to raise my children and what is important for them to be a part of? How can I make it better for all of us? Right then and there, while listening to my babies’ sleep from each of their rooms, I knew what I wanted for them, a farm. I wanted each of my four children to appreciate hard work, be inspired by nature, and find each of their passions to be a good steward of agriculture.

At the time our little house only sat on an acre and a half. Not quite large enough for a flower farm. Aaron and I started looking and praying for the right piece of land. This land had to speak to me; be a good location, good soil, and frankly, it literally needed to talk to me and say I have potential!

That is exactly what happened and so...much..more! Aaron and I became owners of a farm that had so much sentimental value and inspired many farmers before me. What has truly made this so special is this farm is where my great grandparents raised my grandpa and his eleven siblings! That’s right, I will be keeping the Schaefer (my maiden name) farm legacy alive! This farm may have started as hogs, dairy, and grain, but I will continue the heritage of agriculture slightly differently, but just as robust!

Now that we have a farm to call our own, our vision can start taking shape. Flowers bring joy, comfort, serenity, and love to people. We wanted to provide potted and cut flowers for most of the four seasons, therefore Barnside Flower Farm was born!

Aaron and Brayden putting the final touches on the greenhouse.

This past year we have been busy! We have worked diligently building a greenhouse, planting peonies and other perennial flowers, buying and planting seeds, preparing flower beds, and a plethora of other tasks to start supplying cut flowers to local communities and florists. I could not have made it this far without my best friend! I am forever grateful to my husband, Aaron. He is supportive, listens and helps me plan my crazy ideas, and plays foreman on all my big construction jobs. Also thank you to all of my family for helping in any way! Having a family that has a variety of talents is so invaluable! I am forever indebted to you all. (hugs)

Each day brings us a day closer to the opening day to harvesting beautiful flowers. I hope you all are just as excited as I am! But for now, I’ll keep checking the greenhouse, planting young plants in the field, and checking items off my to-do list.

We may have started with Mum’s as our first love, but Barnside Flower Farm will always be your BFF!

Friends Always,

Carrie

From Mum’s the Word to being your BFF

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