SMALL FARMS, BIG ORDERS
Wholesale Sharing for Small Farms
Small Farms, Big Orders began when I realized just how hard it is to be too small in a system built for scale.
When I first started my tiny flower farm, I couldn’t justify buying wholesale. Most suppliers required $400+ minimums and quantities of 150+ of a single variety, which was far more than I could realistically grow or sell at the time. I wanted access to wholesale pricing (better profit margins matter when you’re small), and I loved the idea of plugs for efficiency, especially for unique or specialty varieties, but it just didn’t make sense to take that on alone.
So I started posting on facebook on local gardening and farming groups about pooling orders. Pretty quickly, I realized I wasn’t the only one in this position. There were so many small growers and businesses running into the exact same barrier.
Before moving forward, I did my homework, I connected with financial advisors, my father who owns a logistics company, and agricultural professionals to make sure it was both feasible and legal. What I learned was simple: as long as we weren’t brokering or reselling for profit, pooling funds to place a shared order was completely legal.
That realization lit something in me.
At the time, all I could think of using for a community was Facebook. I had a very basic understanding of spreadsheets, but it was enough to get started. What began as a small, collaborative solution has grown into something much bigger: a way for small farms to access better pricing, expand their offerings, and support each other in the process.
Small Farms, Big Orders is built on the belief that we don’t have to sacrifice our profit margins just because were small! Together, we can help each other be more profitable and expand access to locally grown, fresh-cut flowers!
Want to be part of it?
Join our the facebook group and connect with a network of small growers in your state pooling resources, sharing access, and making bigger orders possible together. Participation is open to growers across all 50 states!
DAHLIA STUDY
Heirloom Dahlia Field Study
In 2024 I became aware of the buzz around heirloom dahlias and their potential disease resistance. This prompted me to look further into the world of heirloom cultivars and why some are considered to have higher disease resistance.
Once I found some new friends who also shared a similar notion and intrigue around heirlooms, I ultimately decided to do a free public field study. I have no background in science but I have a thirst for knowledge and a love for flowers that has pushed me to create this study. I urge all of my fellow flower nerds to join so we can all learn together!
Dahlias that were hybridized in the year 1980 or earlier are considered heirloom cultivars. These varieties currently exceed 45 years in existence so for the purpose of this study, it's safe to say these cultivars are proper heirlooms and may have the disease resistance I'm looking to research. To check to see which of your cultivars may qualify as an heirloom for this study, please go to http://www.dahliaworld.co.uk/dahliadirectory.htm and search by the first letter of your varieties to find out!