Meet Gretel Adams | Flower Farmer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gretel Adams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gretel, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think that choosing to farm is a risk within itself. Not only is it a career that is not the standard path, we are first generation farmers so we built this from scratch. Also having to deal with the weather and other challenges of Mother Nature (soil health, pests, pathogens, etc.), make each day its own adventure. We say it takes a certain type of personality to want to farm because you have to want to continue to challenge yourself, especially when it gets tough. But you learn a lot about yourself during those times, which is what I appreciate about it… it keeps you humble and shows you what you’re actually capable of.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Sunny Meadows Flower Farm is a fresh cut flower farm located in Columbus, OH. We sell our flowers wholesale direct to florists and designers nationwide; seasonal and bouquets and bunches to local grocery stores; and retail bouquets and boxes available for delivery and shipping. We sell dahlia tubers and other fall bulbs online for gardeners to plant, holiday wreaths and planters in December, and an assortment of dried flowers year round. SMFF is a leader in the industry, creating an online shop for florists to purchase 3 weeks ahead, creating custom orders for customers nationwide.

Getting to this point was not easy, it’s taken a lot of hard work and grit. We are grateful for the employees that have helped us along the way to build the business to what it is today. With our online bulb and tuber sales, we are able to offer year round employment work, which allows for year round employment at a living wage.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Cobra for good food and drinks
into the flower fields for a happy hour at sunset
TacoRiendo for some of the best tacos in town!
Harvest Pizza in Bexley
Fillin’ station or Shirky’s in Carroll
Shades in Canal Winchester
Seventh Son Brewing and Budd Dairy Food Hall

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Being first generation farmers, a lot was learned through mentors and support we received from other farmers as there is a lot of learning by doing, and learning from mistakes. We consider ourself products of the ASCFG (Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers), a group of fellow flower farmers that information share and create resources within the industry. We also started by reading Growing for Market, which we then became writers for and have written over 40 articles in the past decade.

Website: https://www.sunnymeadowsflowerfarm.com

Instagram: @sunnymeadowsflowerfarm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunnymeadowsflowerfarm

Youtube: @sunnymeadowsflowerfarm

Image Credits
all images provided by Sunny Meadows Flower Farm