Farmer-Florist

For a very long time, I was working out what our flower business is about. We started a side-hustle producing specialty-cut flowers in 2003 to sell to community markets at Penrith and Macarthur area. At the same time, our main source of income was growing flowers commercially for somebody else to supply NSW and interstate. In 2011, we went our own way. We decided to grow for ourselves and market them by ourselves. Because we were small and we were not earning enough to sustain our business, we found different ways to put our eggs in different baskets. I studied to become a qualified florist and started creating arrangements and bouquets. The advantage of that was I had a wide range of flowers and foliage to work with because we were growing specialty flowers. Anything common, I could easily source them from another grower. That gave me a good experience as a designer working with so many different colours, texture and variety.

Eventually, we got rid of the markets that are not sustainable and we just do three markets a week that are giving us good income. We now have an online shop and a farm road stall. I also do weddings and events. I now have more clarity in myself that we can define the business as a farmer-florist. It was hard to find the right word in the beginning because it is not common here in Australia. It was important for me to know 'what' we really are so I know 'where' we are heading and what I am able to offer our valuable customers.

We moved farm in 2013 to Tallong, NSW in a quest for a better farming land. Starting a new farm from scratch was a very big challenge. Like any other business, we had some trying times such as financial challenges. We also have the weather as a challenge. That was the time that there was no other choice but to persevere and stay determined. But, it has been four years and I think we have done a lot. We have achieved a lot. Our struggles have made us develop into better persons. As the saying goes, 'don't wish it was easier, wish you were better.'

Our goal is to grow, source and supply high quality flowers and foliages to our local community and local flower shops. We like support our local economy and we aspire to promote rural livelihood. By growing local, seasonal specialty cutflowers, we try we provide fresh and long-lasting blooms.

A & M flowers would like to thank our wonderful customers in Goulburn, Tallong, Marulan, Bundanoon, Mittagong and Wollongong who unwaveringly support our business and share our passion with flowers.

Bed of Purple Ornamental Kale

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