Linda
28 years ago, Deryl and I began to build a modest home on a 5 acre parcel of pasture and wooded land. Modeling our values after the 'back-to-the-land' movement, we fantasized about how we could make our small land parcel into an economic livlihood. We began growing vegetables and raising animals for our own needs, but as the years progressed, I kept adding more and more flowers to the vegetable area. Deryl said,"Linda, we can't eat flowers!" Ha! Prophetic words, since this is what we've been doing now (metaphorically, of course) for the past 18 years.
Time passed, and one day I came home to find Deryl planting 100 raspberry bushes that he had found on-sale. He thought we might sell raspberries at the Farmers' Market.
Though the idea of picking raspberries all day long did not appeal to me, I did start to imagine a livlihood associated with farmers markets. Meanwhile, our two children were born, and we felt very committed to raising them at home. When our youngest was 4 years old, we decided to try and sell flowers at our local Bloomington Farmer's Market.
The first few markets were a little pathetic, but apparently there was some subtle potential there because we kept selling out and were encouraged to climb the steep learning curve towards flower farming.
It's been an amazing climb...the work has been gratifying in so many not previously anticipated ways...the people we've met, the experiences our family has had as a working and social unit on the farm and at market , and the wonderful kids and adults that have worked on this little parcel of paradise throughout the years. The People of Harvest Moon Flower Farm.
Over the last 15 years, we've gone from a 1/2 acre of garden to over 3 acres of production fields and 2,400 sq/ft of hoophouse growing space- almost all intensively farmed by hand. Deryl built all of our buildings, and has done a remarkable job fitting many personal and business needs into a functional and beautiful layout. We have had more wonderful and memorable working and playing experiences on this humble little piece of land than we're probably worthy of. It's been a great adventure...The Grounds of Harvest Moon Flower Farm.