Rimrock Flower Farm

While there have been many struggles in 2020, there is always a ray of light, and one of those lights is the Rimrock Flower Farm. Owen and Andi Thatcher moved here two years ago from Northern California with her husband who was originally from Harlowtown. Without any previous experience and a desire to produce, Andi began researching flower farming, and with the help of her husband, who is a lineman for the power company, they decided to take the leap and start the farm. They have hand farmed the fields planting, cutting, watering, and nourishing the beautiful flowers. Andi harvests daily, she fertilizes her fields weekly, and when she is not working in the field, she is doing research and marketing.

Andi is expanding the farm next season. She is going to focus largely on peonies. She will Interplant with Iris'. She tells me that she will not cut peonies till year three, and she will be starting 900 peonies next month in her lower field, then next year planting twice the amount. She is also planning on 1000 tulips and daffodils coming next spring.

Some of the beautiful flowers currently in the farm include Celosia, Sunflowers, Bells of Ireland, Peonies, Dalia's, and even a Basil that is just for bouquets. Andi explains that flowers sold for florists can only be sold if they are perfect. They cannot have any chew marks from grasshoppers or bugs. Through trial and error, Andi is learning what flowers are best for transport, longevity, our growing zone, etc. During the winter Andi will spend time on dried goods as well as starting plants under a grow light.

Rimrock Flower Farm Markets directly to the consumer. Andi explains that this business model is similar to the idea of "Farm to Fork", a new trend in farm to consumer foods. She explains that 80 percent of flowers sold commercially come from outside the United States, so there is a big push to get more local farms to provide flowers. The Rimrock Flower Farm is not open to consumers but sells directly through website, text, & social media, payments can be made through PayPal, Venmo or her website. She then will drop off the order directly to the customer. She also sells to florists and her sister, who owns a coffee shop in Harlowtown, where she sells her market bouquets.

Andi and her husband have two children, a two-year-old, and a 1st grader. They all help on the flower farm. She has booked weddings for next year, and one day may have a "brick and mortar" shop for customers. No doubt with drive and talent like Andi has, the business will be a success however she chooses to go forward.

To shop or order from Rimrock Flower Company please contact via [email protected] (email), Rimrockflowerfarm.com (Website), https://www.instagram.com/rimrockflowerfarm/ (Instagram), or Rimrock Flower Farm (Facebook).