Ep.42: Growing A Successful & Profitable Cut Flower Farm With Lennie Larkin
Have you ever wondered how to create a profitable cut flower farm? Lennie Larkin joins us to share her inspiring journey to profitable farming.
Have you ever wondered how you can run a profitable cut flower farm? In this episode, Lennie Larkin, a business leader in the flower farming industry and founder of B-Side Farm, shares her inspiring journey from teaching to sustainable farming. Starting her career in Boston, Lennie transitioned to California, where she enrolled and then taught at UCSC Center for Agroecology, eventually establishing her own flower farm in 2014.
From Education to Agriculture
Lennie discusses her early experiences in adult education and social services, particularly her work in refugee resettlement, which laid the groundwork for her teaching approach in flower farming. She reflects on her deep-rooted passion for agriculture, which she discovered while working on farms as a teenager. This passion ultimately drove her to enroll in a rigorous farm apprenticeship, where she gained invaluable hands-on experience in managing a farm.
Throughout this episode, Lennie candidly shares the challenges she faced, including rapid growth and personal burnout. These experiences led her to seek advanced training in small business management, which dramatically transformed her farm into a model of profitability and sustainability. She emphasizes that while many flower farmers are passionate about growing flowers, they often lack the business acumen necessary to thrive. Lennie aims to bridge this gap by providing coaching and resources to flower farmers nationwide.
Lennie discusses the importance of setting realistic sales goals and understanding the financial aspects of running a flower farm. She encourages aspiring farmers to think strategically about their business models, emphasizing that while it is possible to be profitable in the first year, it is often more realistic to aim for profitability in the second or third year.
Moreover, Lennie highlights the significance of community and collaboration within the floral industry. She shares heartwarming stories of how local flower farmers can support one another, whether by sharing resources or collaborating on projects. This community-oriented mindset not only fosters a sense of belonging but also helps farmers navigate the challenges of the industry together.
Tune In To The Backyard Bouquet Podcast For The Full Conversation
Tune in to hear the full conversation, filled with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a wealth of knowledge that can inspire anyone interested in profitable cut flower farming.
In This Episode You’ll Hear About:
- 01:37: From Passion to Profession: A Journey from Education to Flower Farming
- 07:54: B-Side Farm
- 10:43: Bridging Agriculture and Business in Flower Farming
- 15:09: Lessons from Early Flower Farming Experiences
- 17:22: Achieving Profitability as a First-Year Flower Farmer
- 19:21: Strategies for Farm Profitability: Setting Realistic Goals and Efficient Practices
- 27:29: Optimal Farm Size for Beginners and Strategies for Efficiency
- 29:02: Small-Scale Farming for Profitability
- 32:04: Scaling Wedding Business: Strategies and Insights
- 35:58: Embracing Collaboration: The Value of Sourcing Flowers from Other Farms
- 42:52: Transitioning to Oregon: Challenges and New Beginnings in Flower Farming
- 49:23: Empowering Flower Farmers Through Coaching and Community
- 57:02: Embracing Marketing and Sales in Flower Farming
Learn More About Lennie Larkins & Flower Farming For Profit:
- Website: https://www.flowerfarmingforprofit.com/
- Website: https://www.b-sidefarm.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarming.forprofit/
- Better Boundaries Free Guide: https://mailchi.mp/flowerfarmingforprofit/backyard-bouquet-podcast
- Flower Farming For Profit Book: https://amzn.to/4fyNh1u
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Enjoy More Backyard Bouquet Podcast Episodes:
Growing Cut Flowers In A Vineyard
How a female flower farmer in the Columbia Gorge is growing cut flowers in a vineyard and quadrupled the value of every linear foot.
Soil Health for Flower Farmers
A soil agronomist on what’s beneath your feet, why compost isn’t the fix-all for soil health for flower farmers, and the mantra she taught me when my own land needed healing.
Graeme Corbett: Life In Bloom
Graeme Corbett left a TV career in London for a cutting garden in Kent. His story is a roadmap for anyone wondering if a career pivot to flowers is possible.
