Rooted in Gratitude: Growing Flowers, Giving Back
By: Farmer Mark
People who have followed our story know the importance and impact the book ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ had on me. During Covid, I had a feeling that I wasn’t following the correct path (more on that in another blog!). On paper, everything was perfect - including my “great” job, with good benefits and pay - however, my career was not fulfilling. The more I explored careers outside of nursing, the more nervous, and excited, I became. While the shift away from the Intensive Care Unit was gradually happening, ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ catalyzed the idea that a career in nature wasn’t just calling, it was necessary! So, obviously, when Robin Wall Kimmerer’s next book, ‘Serviceberry’, came out, I was thrilled!
Serviceberry is a concise yet profound exploration of how we might reimagine our relationships—with nature, with one another, and with the economy—through the lens of the serviceberry tree (Saskatoon).
There’s a quiet kind of healing that happens in a field of flowers. I didn’t fully understand that until I left a career in nursing—a path built around caring for others—to begin again in the soil of Northern Michigan. What began as a personal search for peace and connection has grown into something far larger and more meaningful than I ever expected: a flower farm grounded in reciprocity, gratitude, and the beauty of the natural world.
Our farm was born out of a desire to live more intentionally with ourselves and the land. Though we run a business, our approach is deeply influenced by the idea of giving back—both to the earth and to our community. We grow our flowers organically and as sustainably as possible, honoring the rhythms of nature and the ecosystem that supports us. In our first two seasons, we’ve been fortunate to donate thousands of dollars to local organizations that care for both people and the planet—because the health of one is tied to the other.
At the heart of our work is a simple belief: that the beauty of nature should be shared. That’s why we’ve created a space where people can slow down, breathe in the scent of blooms, have a picnic, or simply walk among the flowers and feel present. We want our farm to be a place where people reconnect—with the earth, with one another, and with themselves.
Living and growing here in Northern Michigan is a gift we don’t take for granted. The lakes, the wildflowers, the seasons that shape every part of our work—this landscape gives us so much. It feels only right to respond with care, generosity, and gratitude.
In everything we do, we try to practice reciprocity: to receive with reverence and to give with joy. We hope that when people visit our farm, they feel the love we’ve poured into this land—and leave feeling a little more connected to the beauty around them. We hope that you can take that feeling and spread it to people, organizations, and passions you have. We invite you to participate in a more generous and interconnected world.
We hope to see you out at the farm soon to enjoy this beautiful nature we’ve cultivated to share with you!
