Conversations with Emily White

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily White. 

Hi Emily, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
A wonderful coworker asked me once if I wanted to take a cut flower class with her. Unfortunately, I never took her offer. A few months later, I walked into our public library and on display was “Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden” by Erin Benzakein. I loaned the book, read it cover to cover, and I was hooked on growing a cut flower garden. Each season I slowly converted our garden from vegetables to flowers. This last summer I dedicated 170 square feet to growing flowers intensively. Our flower farm serviced weekly bouquet subscriptions as well as Mason Jar arrangements. This fall, we have moved from Greeley to the Foothills of Colorado. We are now starting fresh, with a new growing zone, new job, and new farm location. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Over the past season, the road has been pretty smooth. However, I think we have a lot of learning, challenges, and new endeavors moving our farm to the Foothills. This next season will be an adventure! We will be learning soil management, a new growing zone, protecting flowers from Colorado wildlife, and expanding our flower farm to tailor our flowers to the cooler and shorter growing season. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a high school teacher from August to May and a flower farmer from March to October! I specialize in hard-to-ship, fresh, local, and sustainable flowers. This includes dahlias, zinnias, basil, raspberry foliage, asters, and many others. I am most proud of turning a love for the beauty of flowers into a small business that serves our community through the joy of fresh flowers. What sets our farm apart is our commitment to bring our customers the most fresh and sustainable blooms available. 

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice for starting out is to not be afraid to reach out! There are so many talented and creative people who are more than willing to help answer questions and bounce ideas off of. I wish I knew earlier to share my dream of growing flowers with friends and coworkers. Word of mouth is more powerful than I could have ever imagined. 

Pricing:

• $125 4 Week Spring CSA Subscription
• $120 4 Week Summer CSA Subscription
• $180 6 Week Summer CSA Subscription
• $20 Seasonal Mason Jar Arrangement

Contact Info:

• Email: emilinafarmflowers@gmail.com
• Instagram: @emilinafarmflowers

Image Credits
Stephen Dickerson
Emilina Farm Flowers