Rediscovering Passion and Purpose | Lessons From a Zinnia Breeding Workshop
Embracing Solitude in Flower Farming
Flower farming can be a very isolating business. Most of our time is spent quietly in our fields: sowing seeds, planting, weeding, harvesting, and ruthlessly squishing bug foes. Though we may have helping hands join us occasionally or interact with customers, much of our time is spent alone—sometimes by design. The field is our escape, our paradise—at least, it is for me.
Then, you get an opportunity to spend some time with fellow flower enthusiasts and realize how incredibly wonderful it is to interact with people with similar interests! It's revitalizing and refreshing to be with others who get it and want to geek out right along with you. Last week, I spent two days at one of my favorite places with my favorite flower friend and made new flower friends.
A Memorable Workshop Experience
In the last few years, as we all know, in-person events have been greatly reduced. Thanks to incredible technology and the internet, the world has come to our fingertips without ever needing to leave the keyboard. It's astonishing, truly. Still, there is something magnificent about spending time with others in real life, meeting new people, and hearing their stories. It’s been quite a while since I have attended or hosted a workshop with flower farmers.
Participating in one recently reminded me how much I enjoy being with fellow flower lovers. I was a fly on the wall helping Tiffany from Blomma Flower Farm with her Zinnia Breeding Workshop. I have been watching her prepare for it since the dark days of winter. Now that it's over, I still can’t believe how quickly it has come and gone!
For those couple of days, I often found myself breaking through the cobwebs of my brain with biology. It was thrilling to share the experience with others, and I suspect we all worked hard to recall what we had learned about genetics and the history of the royal family back in our high school days.
Despite the sweltering heat, everyone dived in with fabulous questions, kept up with the fast-paced information, and put it all into practice. One of the first hands-on parts was ripping the zinnia flower heads apart to understand their anatomy, which seemed to break a few hearts at first but ultimately helped to gain a better understanding of how to hand-pollinate flowers and collect seeds. This exercise also deepened our appreciation for the pollinators’ effectiveness, especially with Tiffany’s heavily petaled blooms! As a flower farmer, I can’t say I have ever personally sacrificed a flower head just to explore it and understand it better; now, I am inspired to do just that with all the different pretties in the field.
Seeing each student take in the treasures of Tiffany’s breeding patch was incredibly special. I no longer feel so alone in loving every single flower she has out there, and I am no longer ashamed of being unable to pick a favorite. Okay… well, I have a few favorites…
Sharing Knowledge and Building Friendships
Helping with the workshop was not just about learning the technical aspects of zinnia breeding, though it definitely did; it was a profound personal experience. I felt a renewed sense of purpose and community. Watching Tiffany’s meticulous preparation and her passion for sharing knowledge reminded me of the importance of continuous learning and growth, as well as the value of sharing that knowledge with others.
This experience also allowed me to reflect on my own journey as a flower farmer. It’s easy to get caught up in the routine, and before you know it, you’ve been in it for almost a decade. Sometimes, fresh perspectives are needed to rekindle that initial passion.
One of the most impactful moments for me was seeing the excitement and curiosity of the workshop participants. Their eagerness to learn and enthusiasm for zinnia breeding and flower farming, in general, were infectious. It made me realize that, no matter how experienced we are, there is always something new to learn and someone new to learn from. This humbling experience reinforced my belief in lifelong learning.
We have had some bug pressure recently, and I didn’t have an epiphany moment about what was different until one student mentioned letting her chickens out to tackle pest pressure. Ah-ha! We normally allow our chickens to free-range, but when they were flying over the fence and proving why the chicken(s) crossed the road, we kept them locked up in chicken jail—aka, the coop. Well, last night, we let them out on parole, and so far, they are happily gulping up earwigs! This was something already in the back of our minds, but it took someone else sharing their perspective to remind us.
I also gained a deeper appreciation for the sense of community that flower farming can foster. Seeing Tiffany's dedication to her craft and her willingness to share her knowledge so openly emboldens me to double down and do the same. It’s not just about growing beautiful flowers; it’s about growing together, supporting each other, and building a network of like-minded individuals who can share their experiences and insights along with their love and passion. We are not competitors; there is enough room for each of us. We are a community.
Reflecting on this workshop, I am reminded of the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones and seeking new experiences. These moments of connection and learning enrich our lives and help us grow, both personally and professionally.
The Importance of Community
Flower farming can be solitary, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. The sense of community and shared purpose I experienced at Tiffany’s Zinnia Breeding workshop with other growers was invigorating. It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day tasks on the farm or in the business, but stepping out and connecting with others who share your passion is an overflowing-of-the-cup kind of fulfillment.
I look forward to making time to foster more of these connections locally and within the broader flower farming community. If you ever get the chance to participate in a workshop like this in person, I highly recommend it. The knowledge you gain is invaluable, but the connections you make are priceless.
Helping Tiffany with her Zinnia Breeding Workshop was a highlight of my summer. It reminded me of the joy of learning and the strength found in community. I encourage all flower farmers, whether seasoned or just starting, to seek out opportunities to connect with others in the field. The friendships and knowledge you gain will enrich your flower farming journey in ways you never imagined.
What are some of your favorite experiences with flower farming? Share your stories in the comments below—I’d love to hear them!
Until next time, we are looking forward to helping you hand blooms soon.
Jessica & Graham
Interested in learning more about zinnia breeding?
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Be sure to follow Blomma Flower Farm on Instagram; Tiffany is a wealth of knowledge and is very open to showing all the exciting zinnias she is working on. This is also her main outlet to announcing seed fundraisers/sales and future workshop opportunities.
Tiffany also wrote the book on zinnia breeding. With a teacher’s heart, she did an incredible job of making zinnia breeding understandable and doable for anyone who wants to start breeding their own specialty zinnias!
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