Hi! I’m Emma, your local farmer-florist
My story
I first learned about the the farm-to-table movement when I read Barbara Kingsolver’s book “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle”. I was packing to leave for Azerbaijan as a young Peace Corps Volunteer when my husband gave me the book. The tiniest seed of a dream of farming began to germinate then.
After returning to the U.S., I spent many years as an actress, stepping into the lives of others and feeling the significance of what a community of people working together can create. I became a mom of three magical children. I started searching for a way to exercise my passion for creating while still being as available to my kids when they were toddlers as I could. The farming dream began to put down roots.
On a whim during the winter of 2019 I asked each of my friends to pick out a flower from the Floret seed catalogue that I would add to my garden just for them. I couldn’t have known that by the time those flowers bloomed, these symbols of my friends would serve as a thread of connection where connection felt impossible. They were bouquets safely dropped at social distanced doorsteps. Bending towards the sun they were little “I love you”s when community felt dearer than ever and also far away. The dream was beginning to bloom too and I realized what I had to do. I was going to become a flower farmer.
Discovering local flowers changed my relationship to them. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t ever all that interested in the stiff, preserved and sometimes dyed buds I usually saw in the grocery store. Then I got to know real, living flowers. I realized that flowers that hadn’t been forced to ride on airplanes were gorgeous!
Local flowers are different. They have an energy that can stop you in your tracks. They slow you down. When you take in the scent of a flower, you are taking a purposeful breath. I have found much joy and hope and grounding in experiencing these simple, seasonal things. I hope to share these experiences with you.
Meet the Team
-
I’m the great-granddaughter of a farmer-florist and mom of three little kids. I love everything about flowers from planning the season and pushing seeds into dirt all the way up to chatting with wedding clients and arranging boughs for a stunning installation.
I’m honored to get to do this work and could talk about flowers all day. Please feel free to reach out-I look forward to connecting with you!
-
Lalania started working at Hidden Ridge in 2016 and has continued on as the Farm Manager for Cut Clover Flowers. She is a Master Gardener with a great eye for color and design. On any given day you can find her planting, harvesting, and making bouquets or arranging for events. A mother of two teenage boys, Lalania especially enjoys quiet time weeding on the farm.
Meet Melane
Cut Clover is where it is today because of Melane Kinney Hoffman, who grew flowers and foliage in the agricultural reserve for over a decade. As she moved towards retirement, she made space for us on Hidden Ridge Farm and is a constant source of mentorship and support. My farm journey has been completely transformed by our relationship.
Hidden Ridge is a 50 acre property that Melane and her husband Tom have stewarded over the last several decades. They continue to work to nurture the property, protect agricultural land and support their community.
Our Commitment
Locally Grown
Our flowers and foliage are grown right here in the Montgomery Agricultural Reserve less than an hour drive from DC. If an event requires more than we can grow, we source from our fellow farmers in the DMV region.
Unique
Every single bouquet is a specific moment in time: made from what is thriving the week they are cut. I love to grow varieties that you don’t see everyday.
Considered
I believe in an organic, holistic approach to farming. We work to promote a biodiverse ecosystem from the tiniest soil microbes up to birds and foxes. Our goal is to leave the soil healthier, the fauna more numerous and diverse, and the air a little bit cleaner through prioritizing the environment in our decision making.
Committed to the Environment
Reusing, recycling, composting: wherever we can, we do! We grow our seedlings peat-free. Bouquets are packaged in stamped paper with natural rubber bands. Whenever possible we thrift vases before buying new. Are you a zero waste household? We can accommodate that!
