Growing the gift of flowers

“We have gone out several times this summer to gather simples and linden blossoms …. In each excursion we discover something marvelous, beautiful, and useful in the magnificent forests of Indiana.” – Saint Mother Theodore Guerin

Most of us know that feeling of receiving flowers. Depending on the occasion we might feel emotions like happiness, joy, comfort or surprise. On our White Violet Farm we get to experience another aspect — the gift of growing these beauties for others to enjoy.

If you’re ever around when Flower and Fiber Coordinator Candace Minster is putting bouquets together after a harvest, it’s not unusual to hear her “oohing and aahing” as she’s inspecting each blossom. She spends a lot of time planning and preparing for the day when she gets to see her vision come to fruition.

Flowers are sold in our White Violet Farm Store and at our booth at the Terre Haute Farmers Market on Saturdays. It’s always so rewarding to see and hear others’ reactions to the flowers that are grown with such love and reverence. Candace also takes orders for custom bouquets and arrangements. Learn more at Flowers.WhiteViolet.org.

While receiving flowers is a gift, growing them knowing they might make someone’s day a bit brighter is definitely a blessing.

Originally published in the summer 2023 issue of HOPE magazine.