Grocery store flowers not cutting it? These Pierce County farmers sell their own

Flowers bring joy to loved ones, celebrate milestones, and comfort us during grief in ways that words sometimes can’t.

What many don’t realize is that their journey from field to bouquet is usually riddled with environmental impacts.

Most grocery store flowers are shipped overnight, with a whopping 90% of roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums coming from Colombia or Ecuador. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, $3.3 billion worth of cut flowers, plants, and nursery stock were imported into the US in 2022. The importation is daily, leaving behind a carbon footprint.

Enter local flower farmers and the Slow Flower Movement. The movement began to reclaim flower growing in the U.S. and recognize floriculture as a respected and relevant branch of agriculture. The movement connects consumers to the source of their flowers, putting a human face (and sometimes a new flower farmer friend) to a bouquet or arrangement.

I first discovered flower farming in 2021 when trying to sustainably source florals for my wedding bouquet. A year later, I started my own flower farm – Sunset Snips – and today, I’m proud to be connected with more than a dozen other local flower farmers through the Gig Harbor Flower Farmer’s Guild (GHFFG).

The GHFFG was created to connect local flower farmers and support their efforts in sustainably growing flowers for wholesale, florists, and the Gig Harbor community. Their farms span from Artondale to Fox Island, stretching up to north Gig Harbor and into the Key Peninsula area, and even into Allyn and Belfair.

“The idea of creating this network was to form a community of women in all different stages of life that we could relate to and learn from,” explained Lindsey Mesa, founding member and owner of Fox Island Flowers. “We are forging friendships, but also building something meaningful for us and our community.”

The idea for the Guild began in early 2021 when several local flower farms connected with each other through social media. With each passing year, the momentum took hold to grow these connections into something bigger.

“It wasn’t until November 2022 that the majority of us gathered in person to address important topics that led us toward the exciting decision to pursue our journey in ‘growing together,’” said Mailani Akey, Guild President and owner of Akey Acres.

The Gig Harbor Flower Farmers Guild becomes a nonprofit

In June 2023, the Gig Harbor Flower Farmers Guild became an official nonprofit organization, tirelessly spearheaded by Shari Bogataj of White Glove Pink Apron and Kristen Rubin of Sweetwater Stem Co. It has since grown to 15 active flower farmer and florist members, with the overall flower farming community including 30 flower farmers and growing.

Members include Mesa, Akey, Bogataj, and Rubin, as well as: Laurie Parkinson (Harbor Girl Blooms), Ashley Peterson (Gardenside Flowers), Karen Davis (Wild Handful Farm), Katy Fox (Hidden Acres Flower Farm), Amy Linhart (Humming Harvest Farm), Karoline Sly (Sly Hill Flowers), Kristin Rogers (Noelle’s Flower Farm), Leya Stefanski (Rae of Sunshine Flowers), Erica Pollan (Vintage Blooms Fox Island), Allyson Kemp (Thistledown Farm), and my own flower farm, Sunset Snips.

The Guild actively participates in the Slow Flower Movement by promoting best flower practices, the use of locally grown flowers, and farmer/florist relationships. They also actively work together to minimize the environmental impact that imported flowers create in the industry.

“Since our formation, we have been presented with many opportunities that have allowed us to spread awareness for locally grown cut flowers, establish long lasting flower farmer to florist relationships, and promote brand awareness for each flower farmer within the Gig Harbor Flower Farmers Guild,” Akey said.

Akey began her own gardening journey in 2016 with a hobby, 90 square foot garden mostly dedicated to vegetables. By 2018, she had shifted her focus to mostly flowers. Today, her growing area is nearly an acre in Allyn. Akey Acres is veteran-owned and operated by Akey and she sells her flowers at her flower stand near Fair Harbor Marina, as well as to wholesalers, florists, and local retailers like Valley Feed in Belfair.

“Gardening has been such a healing and therapeutic process for me after experiencing trauma. I never imagined that trauma would lead to positivity. But now that I am growing flowers for a living, I consider this to be my craft and my way of peacefully protesting and supporting those who have experienced similar adversities,” Akey said.

Flower markets in Gig Harbor

Purchasing from local flower farmers like those in the Guild not only lowers the environmental footprint of the floral industry, but it also supports our community. Many of these farmers have partnered with local businesses to bring flowers to historic downtown Gig Harbor as well as Uptown. The Guild even has their own flower markets from March-October at the Uptown Pavilion for locals and florists alike.

Plus, locally grown flowers will always have more personality than those found in big stores. The variety of flowers grown right here in Gig Harbor goes beyond roses and carnations, including snapdragons, ranunculus, zinnias, dahlias, and so many other florals in bouquets. Each farm is unique in what they grow (for example, last season echinacea and flowering mint were staples in my bouquets).

Flowers are also a beautiful gesture that sometimes words can’t match.

“Being in the floriculture industry, flowers are widely used to celebrate occasions and also communicate the words that are often hard to say,” Akey expressed. “It gives me great joy to help make that happen for my friends, family, and community. From seed to stem to customer, the entire lengthy process is so beautiful and rewarding for everyone involved.”

The Guild has many avenues available for purchasing flowers. Their Flower Markets take place every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out) at the Uptown Pavilion. They also celebrated May Day on May 1 with a special grand opening and ribbon cutting at Uptown.

Carly Vester has been writing an environmental column for The Peninsula Gateway since 2019. Her storytelling focuses on the intersection of people and the outdoors — from adventures across the West, to our environment and the rich history surrounding it. Her documentary films have screened internationally, and her writing has been published locally and regionally.

This story was originally published May 1, 2024 at 5:00 AM.