The Local Bouquet was definitely feeling thankful this past Thanksgiving! We held our annual Thanksgiving Centerpiece class and partnered with Weatherlow Farms in Westport, Massachusetts for the second year in a row! This year we set up in Weatherlow’s newly constructed farm store, which served as the perfect backdrop for our cozy class. Surrounded by the last of Phoebe’s beautiful flowers and yummy food, made right at Weatherlow Farm, the night was the perfect kickoff to the Thanksgiving holiday. With vibrant Fall tones of pink and orange, lush greens, and fun dried accessories, these centerpieces made the perfect addition to our attendees tables!
Meet the Farmer
I have been dreaming about sharing a more in-depth, behind the scenes look into The Local Bouquet so that our readers and followers can get to know us more and feel a deeper connection with our brand. To do that, I have designed a special "Friday Feature" that I will be writing once a month showcasing one of the amazing flower farmers that I work directly with to source all of the flowers and foliages you see in our designs. These articles will be a Q&A style interview, highlighting topics such as girl-boss, flower farming, and even fun facts about the woman behind the brand. My hope is that this monthly article will inspire us all to get out and achieve those big, beautiful dreams we have for ourselves, because these ladies sure are!
This week I talked with the talented, kind, and generous farmer, Phoebe Poole, owner of Weatherlow Florals. Weatherlow Florals is located in the coastal and rural town of Westport, MA and is part of Weatherlow Farms. Their 200 rolling acres of pasture, field, woodlands, and wetlands are home to a growing abundance of livestock, wildlife and Phoebe's beautiful flowers!
Phoebe had eight years of growing experience before she started Weatherlow Florals in 2016. Her past farm experience included vegetable and livestock farming, as well as edible and cut flower production. During the off-season, she can be found traveling, visiting other farms for inspiration, and pouring over seed catalogs. Phoebe lives in Dartmouth MA with her farm dog, Daisy.
Read my interview with her to learn more about this amazing farmer making big waves in the local flower movement!
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A veterinarian and a marine biologist!
Why flowers?
Because they’re challenging, there are endless varieties and new things to learn, and you can fit a lot in a small space!
How did you come up with the name of your company?
I’m the flower arm of Weatherlow Farms, so therefore Weatherlow Florals.
What inspires you as you are building your brand?
Seasonality
What is your favorite thing about your farm?
Our high tunnels - they extend the season earlier into the spring, and later into the fall, and protect crops from our strong spring winds!
What inspires you as an entrepreneur?
Sustainability, both business-wise and farming-wise - making the community and the soil better through growing and selling flowers.
Name the biggest overall lesson you’ve learned in running your business?
Setting realistic goals and sticking to them.
Name your greatest success (or something you’re most proud of) in your business? Go ahead, brag a little!
Emailing incredible floral designers that I’ve admired forever and getting an email back!
What was the best piece of business advice you were given when you were starting out?
Write a business plan.
What does success mean to you?
Helping to meet the demand for local flowers and foliages, and inspiring more demand!
Favorite season for locally grown flowers?
Early spring - flowering branches and bulbs, sweet peas and anemones. Enough said!
If you could only grow one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?
Poppies for sure - which is cheating because there are so many varieties - because they are delicate but have amazing impact.
Name a woman or women whom you admire or look up to?
Very cliche, but Erin Benzakein of Floret Flowers in Washington state. She is an incredibly talented flower grower and business person.
What is one thing you couldn’t work without?
Good, sharp clippers.
What is one thing you never leave home without?
Same - good, sharp clippers! They’re always in the car, just in case I see some neat foliage by the side of the road!
What is your favorite thing to come home to after a long day?
A glass of wine and a flower magazine - and my sweet dog, Daisy.
What kind of music pumps you up?
Terrible 90s pop!
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Mint chocolate chip.
If you weren’t flower farming anymore, what would you be doing?
Raising dairy goats.
Which of your traits are you most proud of?
Perseverance
If you enjoyed this interview and want to visit Weatherlow Farms and learn first hand from Phoebe, consider joining us this summer at our Farmer Florist Series- "Dahlia Dreaming". For more information to reserve your seat for this beautiful and informative workshop click on the link below:
Photographer: Erin McGinn
Venue: Weatherlow Farms