The August Round-Up!

Opening day in front of the farm’s Little Blue Truck.

Long time no type.

As much as I truly love writing about our life, it seems to be the first thing to go by the wayside once we get our hands dirty on the farm.

The last few months have felt like we are truly living in a dream. We opened our U-Pick flower farm to the public in June, and since then it has been nothing but hard work and joy. There have been multiple pinch-me moments: opening day, our Little Farmers program, customers traveling hours to visit us, and the countless people who have cheered us on along the way.

Anyone can dream up a business. It takes a community to make it possible, and our community has shown up for us in more ways than we could have imagined.

How We Got Here

Some of this may come as a surprise.

As you may know, we used to lease 100 acres of land in Wheatland. Farmer Joe had tended that piece of land for around 13 years and grew his hay there. It was our little slice of heaven but it wasn't accessible to the public.

At the end of our lease, we were faced with the difficult decision of renewing or releasing the land. With the goals we had for our family and our business, we decided to release it.

It was a melancholy end to that season. Farmer Joe worked hard to help a farming friend get onto the lease, and I am proud that he has such a generous heart. He wanted to help the older landowner find the right person to care for the property.

Meanwhile, we had no land and no real plan.

We attempted to purchase five acres in Sheridan, but everything came to a halt when we discovered there was a lien on the property. At the time, it felt like another door closing. Looking back, I believe it was a God intervention.

We sat through months of winter not knowing if we would even be able to farm that year. So, naturally, we decided to take a family vacation.

Actually, not one vacation. Two.

Farmer Joe was having a “fun-urism.”

And right when we were licking our wounds, a miracle happened.

We found a kind woman who was willing to lease us the back two acres of her property so we could begin our U-Pick farm adventure.

Some people might call it fate. Once again, we say God.

Little Farmers

There has been so much happiness and chaos packed into this season for us: new irrigation, a new business model, new customers, new ideas… new, new, new!

With my background in education, I wanted to find a way to bring that part of my life onto the farm. So I began our Little Farmers workshops, and they have quickly become one of my favorite parts of what we are doing.

Each month, we invite 3 - 7-year-olds onto the farm for an educational, hands-on experience. We try to expose them to a little farm work. We identify flowers, create arrangements, paint, explore, and get our hands dirty.

Okay, “working” is probably a generous word.

Interacting? Playing? Those might be more accurate.

But they are learning!

And they affectionately call me Mrs. B… the same name my students call me in the classroom. Somehow, bringing that part of my life onto the farm feels like everything is coming full circle.

Our Little Farmers class smelling the marigolds.

What’s Growing Next

Looking toward the end of August, I am especially excited about the floral workshop I am offering at The Village Coffee Shoppe & Bistro on August 20.

This hands-on workshop will introduce participants to the fundamentals of floral design through a vase arrangement while exploring what is growing here in USDA Zone 9b. I’ll also be sharing some of my techniques for conditioning and working with what I affectionately call “dirty flowers.”

And while summer is still in full swing, we are already dreaming about fall.

Marigold garland workshops. Dried flower arranging. Farm field trips. Pumpkins.

There is always something growing around here, whether it is in the field or in our heads.

Thank you for following along with our family and this crazy little farm adventure. Thank you for cheering us on, showing up, sharing our posts, bringing your families, and making this dream feel possible.

Please come visit us whenever you get the chance.

Love,
The Bishop Family

We will be hosting marigold garland workshops on Wednesday nights in September.