Our First Year on the Farm: Growing Beauty for Our Community

When Braylan and I got married in February 2016, one of our biggest dreams was to live on a farm and grow something that could enrich our community. At the time, we weren’t sure if that would mean trees, berries, or flowers, but as our love for photography grew, so did our appreciation for the beauty of flowers. Over the years, that dream solidified into what is now Aurora Valley Farm—a place where we cultivate stunning blooms and share their beauty with others.

While we still envision expanding into berries and trees in the future, we decided to start with flowers as our main focus. This past year marked the beginning of that journey, and what an adventure it has been! We spent two years preparing, diving deep into YouTube videos each evening, studying everything from composting and irrigation to seed starting, cold stratification, and hardening off seedlings. By the time spring arrived, we felt ready to plant around 30 different varieties of flowers, starting them from seed in our shop. (Next season, we’ll be using our dedicated flower shop, which will make the process much easier!)

March arrived, and we were eager to begin. By May, I was having my baby, and we were simultaneously planting a full flower field. It was a whirlwind, but seeing those tiny seedlings take root filled us with so much hope. However, the part we weren’t prepared for? The pests.

Despite our research on beneficial insects and natural pest control, nothing could have prepared us for the sheer number of grasshoppers. Walking along our carefully laid fabric-lined flower beds sounded like stepping through a rainstorm—the sound of thousands of grasshoppers jumping in every direction. They devoured over half of our crop almost instantly, feasting on our baby seedlings before they even had a chance to bloom. We fought for our flowers’ survival for the rest of the season, learning hard lessons along the way.

Even in the midst of these challenges, we gained invaluable experience. We learned which flowers thrive in our climate, which varieties offer the best vase life, and which ones truly make a statement. Looking ahead to next season, we’re incredibly excited to grow many of the same flowers again while introducing gorgeous new varieties. And this time, we have multiple strategies in place to combat the grasshopper invasion!

At the heart of Aurora Valley Farm is our commitment to farming and stewarding the land in a way that honors its natural beauty. The building we’re working on, which has been the subject of many conversations with the ALC and regional district, is primarily for farming—providing essential space for processing, storage, and operations that will support the farm’s long-term sustainability. Our vision extends far beyond a single season; we are cultivating something lasting, something that will continue to grow and evolve each year.

This first year was full of lessons, hardships, and triumphs, but it only strengthened our resolve. We can’t wait to see Aurora Valley Farm flourish as we continue to learn, adapt, and grow—both as farmers and as a family. Here’s to another season of beauty, resilience, and blooming dreams!