The Dirt on Flowers

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the business aspects of flower farming with Julia Shank, author of "The Farmer's Office." They emphasize the importance of data-driven decisions and reflect on their own challenges in running profitable farms. Julia shares insights on adopting an entrepreneurial mindset for financial sustainability, covering topics like marketing, financial management, and employee over...

In this podcast episode, Lyndsay and Shannon share their experiences and insights on running profitable flower farms. They discuss the importance of strategic planning, especially for the Christmas season, and reflect on past challenges and successes. The conversation covers sourcing Christmas greens, creating sales plans, and maximizing profitability through workshops and diverse offerings. They...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the challenges of running flower farms in early July. They tackle the pressures of summer heat, irrigation, and wedding bookings. Lyndsay shares her journey of prioritizing well-being by reducing her workload for her upcoming wedding. Shannon talks about managing a new property and hosting a "u-pick" event. They emphasize setting boundaries, managing expectations, and t...

Lyndsay and Shannon are joined by Shanti from Whipstone Farm. They discuss the challenges of flower farming, including weather-related issues and the impact on their crops. Shantae shares her experiences farming in the high desert of Prescott, Arizona, emphasizing the need for resilience and adaptability. The conversation covers various farming techniques, pest management, and the importance of st...

Lyndsay and Shannon share their journey of growing their farms into six-figure businesses. They discuss the challenges of irrigation and crop management during a hot season, while remaining optimistic about their heat-loving crops. The conversation covers various online tools and apps they use, such as Canva, QuickBooks, Squarespace, and ShipStation, to streamline operations and enhance customer e...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss their flower farming experiences, focusing on challenges like weather conditions, crop failures, and color preferences for wedding arrangements. They highlight the importance of maintaining high standards for farm-grown blooms and sourcing quality flowers. Guest Laura Beth Resnick of Butterbee Farms shares her journey from vegetable to flower farming, emphasizing the si...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the challenges posed by the Ohio heatwave on their farms and the measures they are taking to mitigate its effects. They emphasize the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone for personal and business growth. Reflecting on their eight-year journey, they highlight the balance between data-driven decisions and gut feelings. They also discuss overcoming business pl...

Lyndsay and Shannon chat with Janis Smith-Harris, a Canadian cut flower farmer from Harris Flower Farm in Saint Thomas, Ontario. Janis shares her journey from being an optician to becoming a full-time flower farmer, detailing the growth of her farm to nearly six acres. They discuss the challenges of weed control, the use of mechanized equipment, and innovative planting methods. Janis also highligh...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the challenges of flower farming, emphasizing the importance of resilience. They share insights on coping with weather impacts, the need for nutritious meals, and building inner strength. Key tips include acceptance, optimism, and taking responsibility for one's life. They highlight the value of community support, sharing a heartwarming story of a generous donation duri...

This week Lyndsay and Shannon share the gritty realities of flower farming. They discuss the intense challenges faced during the first quarter, from staffing changes and overwhelming workloads to weather impacts on crops. Lyndsay talks about her recovery from surgery amid farm duties, while Shannon describes the hurdles of farm expansion and unpredictable weather. They delve into issues with tulip...

Lyndsay and Shannon are joined by Emily Von Tapp of von Trapp Flowers and Linda D'Aarco of Little Farmhouse Flowers to discuss their experiences in flower farming, with a focus on growing tulips. They share their unique approaches to planting, cultivating, and harvesting tulips, including their use of different methods like hydroponics and crate growing. They also touch on the challenges they've f...

Lyndsay and Shannon share their expertise on marketing strategies for farm-based workshops. They discuss the importance of understanding the target audience, leveraging social media and email marketing, and the necessity of a well-structured launch plan. They share personal experiences and emphasize the need for authenticity in marketing messages. The episode covers the challenges of consistent ma...

In this podcast episode, Lyndsay and Shannon, share their expertise on pricing strategies for farm workshops and events. They discuss cost-plus, hourly-based, and value-based pricing models, emphasizing the importance of planning and not underpricing. They explore targeting different audiences, like men for Mother's Day events, and adjusting marketing strategies accordingly. They also cover the co...

In this podcast episode, Shannon and Lyndsay share their passion for hosting various workshops on their farms, from flower crown making to Christmas wreath workshops. They recount memorable moments, like the challenge of fitting a stick into a car, and the unique styles of participants. They also look forward to discussing how to plan profitable workshops in an upcoming episode, acknowledging past...

In this episode Lyndsay and Shannon are joined by Amanda Sergeant from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). They discuss the FSA's programs and services, emphasizing their benefits for farmers, including those in the flower industry. Amanda provides insights into the registration process, eligibility, and available programs like the Farm Storage Facility Loans and the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistanc...

In this episode Lyndsay and Shannon share their insights on tulip farming and the broader aspects of running a flower farming business. They emphasize the importance of tracking critical numbers for informed decision-making and discuss the challenges of managing emotions in business. They provide practical advice on focusing on key metrics, avoiding over-analysis, and learning from both successes...

In this podcast episode, Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the mental and logistical preparations for the upcoming growing season. They explore the excitement and concerns associated with making large flower orders, managing farm changes, and the financial implications of their investments. Lyndsay talks about adapting her farm operations due to health reasons and a team member's maternity leave, while...

Lyndsay and Shannon interview Loretta Ball, owner of The Never Ending Flower Farm. They discuss the unique aspects of running a u-pick flower farm, including customer experiences, operational challenges, and creative solutions. Loretta shares her journey from starting with a small patch to expanding her farm, and the hosts exchange stories about the quirks of agritourism. They also touch on the im...

In the 100th episode of their podcast, Shannon and Lyndsaycelebrate their journey as farmers and podcast hosts. They share behind-the-scenes stories, reflect on personal and business growth, and discuss overcoming challenges like technical issues and self-doubt. They emphasize the importance of self-compassion, hiring help, and surrounding oneself with supportive people. The hosts also touch on so...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss the intricacies of flower farming with special guest Linda Doan. They share their personal journeys, the challenges of maintaining a work-life balance, and the empowerment they feel as business owners. Linda recounts her romantic start with her husband in the flower farming business and introduces listeners to their farm's local traditions, such as the Thanksgiving pump...

Lyndsay and Shannon, welcome guest Alix Northrup, a freelance illustrator delve into the intricacies of branding for businesses. They discuss the comprehensive nature of branding beyond just a logo, covering visual elements, messaging, and the feelings a brand evokes. Emphasizing the importance of custom branding, they explore the benefits of a unique brand identity, potential legal issues with no...

Lyndsay and Shannon welcome Corina Bench from My Digital Farmer. Corina shares her journey in applying online marketing strategies to her farm, Shared Legacy Farms, and her transition to mentoring other farmers. The discussion focuses on the importance of understanding marketing frameworks, customer education, and the creation of customer avatars for targeted marketing. Corina emphasizes the need...

Lyndsay and Shannon engage in a heartfelt discussion about the role of fear in their lives as flower farmers and business owners. They explore the different ways fear manifests, from the pressures of social media and comparison to the challenges of decision-making and the impact of fear on their actions. They share personal stories, including the concept of analysis paralysis, discussion of impost...

Lyndsay and Shannon discuss SEO strategies with guest Julia Bocchese, an SEO consultant for agriculture and horticulture businesses. They cover the importance of keyword research, website navigation, and maintaining up-to-date online profiles. Julia shares tips on optimizing website copy, title tags, meta descriptions, and image alt text for better search engine rankings. Practical advice includes...

Lyndsay and Shannon dive into the intricacies of wedding consultations for their flower businesses. They discuss strategies for acquiring leads, managing client expectations, and refining the consultation process. They emphasize the importance of setting clear expectations, using software for organization, and confidently guiding clients through flower selection. They share personal experiences, i...