Part 1: From Seed to Success: A Blossoming Flower Farming Journey with Amanda Powell

Text Agony Aunt Roz with your Cutflower Questions. In part one of this two part discussion, Amanda Powell, a seasoned flower farmer, joins Roz Chandler for an insightful conversation about her journey in the world of cut flower farming. Amanda shares her inspiring story of transition from a corporate career in higher education to pursuing her dream of becoming a flower farmer. Her decision to venture into cut flower farming was driven by a passion for working with plants and an eagerness to create a business that aligned with her values. key takeaways from this episode: Passion and Determination: Amanda's journey from a corporate career to cut flower farming is a testament to the power of following one's passion and being determined to pursue a dream. Embracing Change: Amanda's ability to adapt and make necessary changes in her business model, whether in flower varieties or sales channels, has been crucial to her success. Market Understanding: Understanding the market demands and pricing strategies is essential for a sustainable and profitable flower farming business. Amanda emphasizes the importance of doing the necessary financial calculations. Diverse Sales Channels: Exploring and utilizing various sales channels, including local markets, national mail orders, and collaborations with garden centres and farm shops, provides flower farmers with opportunities to reach different customer segments. Continuous Learning and Experimentation: Amanda's willingness to experiment, try new varieties, and push the boundaries of her flower farming practices has been key to her ongoing success. Customer Engagement: Engaging directly with customers, whether through markets or other sales channels, provides valuable insights and helps in building a loyal customer base. Adapting to Nature: Recognizing that nature is unpredictable and being prepared for challenges, such as weather conditions, pests, and other natural factors, is crucial for a flower farming business. Planning and Strategy: Amanda's approach of creating seasonal "recipes" and having a clear plan for each part of the season helps her optimize her production and sales. Amanda Powell Resource Links: https://www.facebook.com/theflowerfarmershoeburyness/ https://www.instagram.com/theflowerfarmershoeburyness/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/essexflowerfarm Website: https://www.flowerfarmer.co.uk/ https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/newsletters The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub Lots of free resources on our website: https://thecutflowercollective.co.uk/cut-flower-resources/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers Facebook Group 'Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business' https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874 Facebook Group 'The Cut Flower Collection' https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowercollection