In this episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Lori Bochner from Bochner Farms, a picturesque flower farm nestled in rural central Iowa countryside. Lori's journey into the world of flower farming was an unexpected adventure, born out of a love for cultivating beauty in her suburban surroundings. From a home adorned with blooming flowers to a sprawling farm bursting with thousands of blooms, Lori's transformation into a flower farmer is a true testament to the magic of following one's heart. Join us as Lori shares the story of Bochner Farms and the journey of turning a dream into reality. From the joys of country living to the challenges and triumphs of flower farming, Lori's tale is sure to leave you feeling inspired. In this episode, hear about Lori's accidental journey into flower farming, starting from a simple weekend retreat for camping and fishing on 50 acres of raw land to a full-fledged farm with a farmhouse and fields brimming with vibrant flowers.  Discover the beauty of the cottage garden at Bochner Farms, a healing place that emerged from a place of loss and grief, showcasing the power of flowers to bring comfort and solace. Learn about the Giving Color Initiative, where every flower purchased from the farm contributes to feeding the hungry through donations to Meals from the Heartland. Get ready to be inspired by the passion and dedication of Lori Bochner and the beauty of flowers in this heartwarming and insightful episode of the Backyard Bouquet Podcast. In this episode, you'll hear about: * 00:02:37 - Introduction to Bochner Farms * 00:15:51 - Managing U-cuts and flower harvesting * 00:25:20 - Favorite flowers to grow from seed * 00:30:24 - Creation of the cottage garden * 00:35:36 - Giving Color Initiative at Bochner Farms * 00:43:47 - Plans for the upcoming year * 00:49:05 - Hosting events at the flower farm and the size of gatherings * 00:51:11 - Advice from Lori Bochner Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/02/27/lori-bochners-journey-from-home-gardener-to-flower-farmer/ Learn more about Bochner Farms: * https://bochnerfarms.com/ * https://www.instagram.com/bochnerfarms * https://www.facebook.com/bochnerfarms ***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet*** If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode. New episodes every Tuesday to help keep your garden blooming! JOIN THE BACKYARD BOUQUET COMMUNITY ON FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowergardening Sign up for my newsletter: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.myflodesk.com/nlw4wua8s3 The Flowering Farmhouse: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thefloweringfarmhouse/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/thefloweringfarmhouse] | Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/thefloweringfarmhouse/]| Website [https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/]