Two local businesses cultivate community joy.
Within the growing market of locally grown cut flowers, two neighboring flower farms, Mostly Meg Flower Farm and Almost’a Farm, are not only similar in business, they are friendly in business. When Lisa Dey and Sarah Harbour of Almost’a Farm were just
beginning their trial phase, Meghan Dudenhoeffer of Mostly Meg
didn’t hesitate to lend a little guidance to help get them started.
“It’s community over competition,” Meghan says. “I believe we are both very different and paving our own ways on how to grow, arrange, and get flowers out in our local community.”
Mostly Meg
Meghan Dudenhoeffer’s flower farm is a century farm. In 1976, the University of Missouri Extension and the MU College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources created the annual Centennial Farm Program, awarding certificates to those with farms that had been in the same family for 100 years or more. Ten years later, they created the annual Century Farm Program and recognition. Meghan’s farm has been in her family since the late 1800s, and she received her late father’s portion of his land inheritance after her grandfather’s passing. The land has been healing for her and her family members as they have struggled through losses and her son’s chronic illness. Meghan describes the land as peaceful when she can hear the wind blowing and cicadas chirping. She feels connected to her father on the property when she sees him in a passing hawk or hears a hello from within the church bells a few miles down the road.
“I feel like whenever I’m here, it is where I’m supposed to be,” Meghan says.
Social media has been instrumental in Mostly Meg’s growth and success. She began by posting pictures of her flowers, hoping her posts would be a positive light in a space so often riddled with negativity. Meghan’s posts showing her beautiful bouquets quickly grew in popularity and prompted her followers to ask if they could purchase their very own. As more people became interested, the flowers continuously sold out, and Mostly Meg snowballed into a booming business. Meghan has been beyond grateful, and her husband has encouraged her every step of the way — especially when she has doubts.
“My husband is my biggest supporter,” Meghan says. “Even if it sounds like the stupidest plan ever, he will work with me to figure it out and make it happen. If we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it.”
In addition to her husband’s support, Meghan and her entire family can often be found working on the farm together. Meghan is an artist and an art teacher, so flower farming allows Meghan to feed her creativity. And she has high standards when it comes to creating her stunning bouquets. Her focus on details goes into every step. When ordering seeds for her flower arrangements, Meghan makes sure to keep flower textures and colors in mind. Determined to make every arrangement a piece of art, she doesn’t feel comfortable selling anything that she deems mediocre.
“I love to share the beauty of flowers with people,” Meghan says. “It fills my cup when people send me a message saying that their day was made because of my flowers. It makes me feel so good that the happiness went on to someone else.”
Almost’a Farm
One of Lisa Dey’s silver linings during the height of the pandemic was her DIY flower education. Lisa and her partner, Sarah Harbour, were searching for something to fill their time and supplement their income when flower farming piqued their interest.
Having grown up on a farm near Hermann, Missouri, Lisa knew about growing vegetables, but growing flowers was something new. Watching thousands of hours of YouTube videos, Lisa taught herself the art of flower planting and grooming. With Sarah’s help, Lisa extended Almost’a Farm to not only grow vegetables but to include flowers too. Their first year of selling flowers in 2022 was a constant balance of trial and error.
“I wish people could see pictures of what our farmers market booth looked like then compared to now,” Lisa says. “It’s like night and day. Back then, we put up a Chiefs football tent and had buckets of flowers everywhere. We were making our bouquets at the market.”
For Lisa and Sarah, word of mouth has been a powerful tool in growing Almost’a Farm’s business. Their connections and favorable reviews have allowed them to expand the business with pop-ups and private farm events. They also now offer flower subscriptions, which include one bouquet a month for five months that can be picked up or delivered locally. 2022 was a learning experience; Almost’a Farm sold 300 mums in the fall of 2023, and they have already sold out of spring and summer flower subscriptions for 2024.
“I’ll admit and say I probably do too much,” Lisa says. “The only time Sarah and I can really relax is when we leave the property. There are even times I am outside early in the morning with a headlamp on.”
Lisa is especially fond of sunflowers and zinnias. She has been asked more than a few times if she grows her flowers herself. On many occasions, people have been amazed to see flowers so strikingly beautiful. The flowers they sell, free of spray paint and chemicals, are unlike any flowers that can be found at a grocery store, and they love to hand deliver the flowers to customers.
“If I deliver the flowers, I get to see the enjoyment on their faces,” Lisa says. “The enjoyment of seeing somebody’s face light up when they’re handed flowers is the best part of the job.”
