Bio:
I'm a Ph.D. biochemist embarking upon my second career after reaching director level in the Pharmaceutical industry while dabbling in my farming "hobby" at commercial scale on the side. Now I am pursing what I have always wanted to do full-time. I ALWAYS figure out an answer - I'm a master MacGuiver. Our farm is focused mostly on floriculture because my past experiences have shown that making a profit from vegetables is nearly impossible. However, I'm committed to contributing to our mountain community, and so we are growing enough vegetable crops to drive a specialized CSA that helps support (with grant input) low-cost produce sales and donation locally.
Unique Offerings/Market Analysis:
Most flower farmers don't have the time or resources to sell their flowers at the highest retail value (i.e. formal arrangement and delivery); let alone to establish add-on gift sales from local vendor partners. By establishing the floral/gift side FIRST, I'm establishing a ready market for our harvest. Our local flower farmers are limited by the season and most have not attempted to recapture floriculture sales from South America or across the globe that the U.S. initially lost in the 70's due to labor costs. However, HUGE increases in shipping costs and environmental impact justify a reanalysis of the cost basis of local production. Because of my combined backgrounds in business, as a grower and as a scientist, I know and can utilize current research on growing methods that can be implemented HERE LOCALLY to grow currently almost exclusively imported flowers year round. Our goal is to be be completely locally grown by 2027.
