No-till, regenerative, micro-flower farm
Arizona
Hello! Bonjour!
We are a family of 2--me, and my 5 year old daughter. I own and operate a micro-flower farm in a small picturesque town in the high desert of Southeastern Arizona. The property is under one acre, with large established trees and a wonderful microclimate thanks to them. The first thing I did here was plant 13 fruit trees so they are just starting to produce! I hope to build a sustainable urban farmstead with predominant flower cultivation but vegetables enough for family and friends.
I also own a flower shop in town so I split my time between shop hours and farm hours. (yes, it's a lot!) We are not yet to capacity in regards to having the entire property built-out, but progress is underway, tiny step by tiny step. We practice no-till, organic methods for cultivation. This year is technically year 4 (but 2.5 at this property) so there is still so much to do and systems to develop. We have a helpers on the farm periodically, and a lazy farm cat too.
Before moving back stateside and having my daughter I used to live in the French Pyrénées for many years. It is my hope to travel during summer months back to Europe as our tourist season is during the mild winters. Locals also seem to take time off at this time so our "off" season is loosely from June to August/September. Summers can get hot here but we do have the most incredible monsoon season during this time. (I think it's our best kept secret honestly!) The desert and sky bursts to life and color and you can find waterfalls and swimming holes near and far. Spring season is (very) windy and somewhat disagreeable and sometimes the fall can be windy too. Winters can get very cold here but not for long. Plus the sun is always shining!
There is a little house on the property that is maybe going to become a rental, so I cannot yet speak as to who lives there, for now. I will update as needed!
Days of the week will probably differ but one can expect:
-Mornings when it's still cool, we harvest flowers. Sometimes late afternoon too. Post-harvest care is different for different flowers.
-Weekly feedings and foliar sprays (molasses) as well as compost tea.
-Lots of watering: the established rows here are irrigated, but there is much more hand watering at the moment. I believe the perennial beds comprise more square footage in area than the rowed areas on our farm. (This years' project is getting the rest of the property and perennial beds on irrigation.)
-Weeding
-Washing buckets
-Seeding and planting.
-Perennial and annual bed construction.
-Market bouquet making and wrapping day-of or day-after harvest.
-One day a week Farmer's market
-CSA shares another day of the week.
I am willing to teach what I know, but truth be told, I am still learning as I go. Also each year has its own challenges and successes so it's very hard to build off of something and have it go completely differently the following year! Since I started this business when I had my daughter, I feel like everything is still very much in its infancy, for better or worse!
Side note: I grew up in a family who gardened a lot and have had many gardens in various places over the years, but production farming is admittedly completely different. I wish I had more wwooffing experience so hopefully wwoofers can help me with theirs!
I will provide food staples (rice beans, lentils, pasta) in bulk and fresh veggies. I will happily cook some meals during the days of the week I have my daughter, but I expect wwoofers to cook for themselves as they see fit. Accommodations are in the back casita, or a spare bedroom or bell tent, depending on season.
I used to knit tirelessly, read voraciously, but these days running two businesses and raising a small child have taken up most of my time! I do enjoy having friends over, tea, coffee...there are often children here playing in yard and tearing up the house so prospective wwoofers must enjoy the company of kids of all ages. I practice yoga and love to hike and go camping in my spare time. ha!
There are famous birding sites nearby in the winter, endless camping, hiking and rock climbing in the sky islands (mountains) around here. The town is a haven for artists and musicians with lots of live music and annual events and festivities. Mexico is a stone's throw away and we love to go there for Sonoran style tacos!
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Learning opportunities
Flower farming
Seed saving or production
Natural cosmetics fabrication
Methods or systems
No-till farming
Regenerative agriculture
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
Host type
Production farm
0.1
Hectares
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0.3
Acres
Accommodation
Jade
Member since 2025
Languages spoken:
English, French
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Jade is not accepting visit requests at this time.
Response rate: 10%
Response time: typically within 1 day
Arizona
Tucson
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