Inspiring the Next Generation of Flower Farmers

Starting a business is fraught with challenges that many of us recognize but few are brave enough to tackle.

And then there’s an entrepreneurial life with flowers, an industry that relies on so many uncontrollable factors such as weather and pests—it can overwhelm us to the point of walking away.

So, starting a flower business with a group of 11-year-olds as business partners is an exercise of insanity, right? Well, it turns out, it can be a stroke of genius.

Our little school campus is tucked away on a beautiful swath of land in our city center, which rests in the Southern Appalachian Highlands of Northeast Tennessee. This community is rich in its history of agriculture, with a moderate climate boasting in four seasons, plenty of rain, and reasonable soil.

Folks in the region have been connected to the land from the beginning of time, but as with many things, that connection has evolved and, in many cases, dissolved for younger generations. I witnessed this in its rawest form in my work as a pediatric ER physician. The disconnect between what goes in our mouths and how we feel, both physically and mentally, is profound and is directly related to that loss of connection to the land and how it serves to provide us with healthy foods.

“Folks in the region have been connected to the land from the beginning of time, but as with many things, that connection has evolved and, in many cases, dissolved for younger generations.”

Our "little" garden project was initially conceived as a small demo space for teachers to utilize as they saw fit in their classrooms and reconnect our students to growing their own foods and flowers. While the intention was pure, we quickly realized this was too cumbersome for a curriculum focused on traditional academic success and test scores and, frankly, fatigue from those amazing teachers charged with meeting all those standards.

The garden, which had been turned into a much bigger space due to the generosity of community volunteers, was floundering with a lack of consistent tending and no real long-term goal. The standard model of a school garden wasn't working for us anymore. We had to get creative and think out of the box if we were going to save our little plot.

The Birth of a Flower Farm

Through a series of conversations and brainstorming sessions, the idea for a cut flower farm was born.

We knew we had to incorporate this into the curriculum with consistency and structure. We added the class to the schedule, and we set to work developing (what would eventually be called) Anchored In Flowers, our very own agribusiness.

Over the three years of middle school, the students learn the ins and outs of entrepreneurship and the specifics of running a small farm. The students are responsible for all aspects of the agribusiness, from sowing seeds and harvesting to making bouquets.

They develop marketing strategies, present to various stakeholders (staff, parents, customers), and evaluate each step of the process. We started with a small on-campus CSA with just ten members. We now have a robust CSA program, farmers’ market stand, and seasonal products we offer to the general community. The founding members of Anchored In Flowers worked hard to fully fund their 8th-grade trip, which was unfortunately impacted by Covid-19.

“We started with a small on-campus CSA with just ten members. We now have a robust CSA program, farmers’ market stand, and seasonal products we offer to the general community.”

Working with students presents a unique set of challenges, but all of those proved to be relatively small trade-offs for the final outcome. What these young people lack in experience, they make up for in creativity, enthusiasm, and joy—all unencumbered by the constraints of knowing too much.

These students genuinely don't understand how to limit potential, and it is amazing to watch them tackle a problem or create a response to an opportunity. Here are a few quotes from students who just completed the program. All of them were founding members of the "business" and exposed to every step of the process.

"Over the course of three years, I've learned many amazing skills about entrepreneurship, business, overcoming failure, hard work, financial organization, etc. When I go and get a job in the future, I can put on my resume that I've helped run a business and know valuable skills."

"Being a part of Anchored In Flowers has taught me how to grow flowers and make bouquets. it has taught me how to draw in customers and about sales pitching."

"One of the most important things Anchored in Flowers taught me was how to work with everyone and help to use the talents and abilities they have to help the group prosper. I have learned dedication and responsibility because of things such as the farmers’ market and having to do things such as videos, measurements, and agendas."

"I remember the first day of Anchored in Flowers. We came in, and Coach Heather gave us a flower, and she asked us how we felt after receiving this flower. I remember that was the highlight of my day. I have learned so much from this business. I learned how to present in front of a large group of people, how to make a bouquet (which is actually harder than you think), and how to sell at the farmers’ market. Those are just a few things I've learned, but I have learned so much more. Building this business has inspired me to keep pushing myself. While working on this business, we have faced many ups and downs. But in ways, we were always able to exceed past our hardship. "

"As we began to build the business, it became a way for each of us to share our ideas and find creative solutions. Watching the business grow from creating a logo to selling our bouquets at the market was a rewarding experience. Over the last three years, I've learned a lot about creating a business, flower farming, and teamwork."

What started as a small grant-funded garden project over six years ago has evolved into a productive and successful agribusiness, allowing our students to experience the process of owning a business while sharing the beauty and happiness of flowers with our community.