Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendall Lanier.
Hi Kendall, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I have always had a passion to grow and cultivate things. I graduated from college with a degree in Environmental Horticulture, but like most graduates, I got a job that better paid my bills and didn’t necessarily align with my furthered education.
After twelve years of bookkeeping, I decided to put my degree to use and try my hand at flower farming. I got the inspiration to start my own farm after finding the Instagram page of another flower farmer located in Michigan. I did some research to see if there were many flower farms located near me and found very few. So, in January of 2021, I decided on a name for my farm, purchased seeds, and supplies said a lot of prayers, and gave it a shot!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The answer to that is a very confident, No. I have probably killed more flowers than I have grown. I’ve learned not to view this as failure or lack of knowledge. It’s simply a case of trial and error. My Daddy used to tell me that the only way I can learn is by doing. And when you do, you’re going to fail.
Every failure is a lesson learned and a fall forward. Five mistakes in your first year will be five mistakes that you don’t make next year. It’s all about growing and evolving and not giving into fear and giving yourself some Fresh Grace every single day!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Fresh Grace Farms?
Fresh Grace Farms is a cut flower farm located in Brooklet, GA. I grow and sell cut flowers, which are flowers that are used for decorative purposes such as vase displays, wreaths, or garlands. I can directly sell my flowers to consumers, or I can sell to florists. There are several things that set me apart from a traditional florist. When you purchase flowers from me, you’re getting the freshest flowers possible. My flowers usually get cut out of the field 12 hours before they are in your hands. This ensures the longest vase life possible. Flowers from my farm are locally grown and not imported and are handled with extreme care.
You can purchase flowers arranged as requested, wrapped in bunches, or as buckets of loose stems if you have your own project that you’re working on. However, since my flowers are locally grown and not ordered, you can only purchase what I have in season on the farm. Different flowers grow well in different zones and here in zone 8b we can’t grow all the same stuff that tends to thrive in cooler temperatures such as zone 6. Florists can order whatever flowers they need, but I only use what is growing at the time according to what is in season.
My whole family is involved in the production of my flowers from start to finish. My husband often helps with anything tractor or fencing related. My three kids love to sow seeds and help cut the flowers when they are ready.
And my dog is great at keeping me company at whatever I may be doing for the day. I’m still new and learning more and more every day, but I already know that this is what I was born to do.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Probably that I may seem confident in what I do, but I am not. Starting this business made me so nervous. I was so overly worried that none of my seeds would germinate, I would install the drip irrigation incorrectly, no one would like my flowers, I could go on for days! My motto is to just pray and jump. I always ask God to guide me in whatever it is that He would have me do and then I just do it.
Am I terrified when I do it? Most of the time I am. But I have overcome so many obstacles and found out so much about myself because I went for my dreams. Being in your comfort zone too long can be a bad thing. Try doing something that you never saw yourself doing and you may just enjoy it!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshgracefarms
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshGraceFarms
