The Farmer
Welcome to The Joy Farmer - I am Sarah, the farmer with a passion for sharing flowers with my local community. I reside in Wanaka, New Zealand.
Born into farming on a high country station in Central Otago, I was surrounded by flowers and passionate gardeners before trading it for a career associated with suits, heels and glass towers. On reflection, no matter where I have lived, I have sought out green spaces and fresh blooms.
With a love for business, the outdoors and being surrounded by creatives, I have discovered flower farming encapsulates it all.
Thanks for visiting my tiny corner of the world.
The Farm
The cutting garden is located on our family’s high country station at the bottom of the sun drenched Lindis Valley in Tarras, Central Otago.
The property has been in mother's family for over a century and there is a long history of growing, however is the first foray into cut flowers that I know of. The flowers and foliage are grown along side merino sheep and beef cattle.
The property runs from the valley floor up over the Dunstan Range and looks out across the Upper Clutha basin to Wanaka.
There have been many green fingered family members through the generations who have formed the bones of the homestead garden where my parents still reside. The cutting garden where my flowers are grown has taken inspiration and is an extension of this rambling country space.
My ethos is to work with nature, not against it. My flowers are grown with consideration for the soil and environment around me. We farm with reference to regenerative philosophies. Our intention as a family has always been to preserve our land for future generations.
As my cutting garden is an extension of the homestead property, to respect the privacy of my family, unfortunately it is not available to visit.
The Flowers
Our flowers are grown by hand from seeds and cuttings outdoors exposed to the whims of nature and its seasons. It dirty, harsh, and labour intensive but the outcome is beautiful.
A small volume of a broad variety of blooms are grown. The varieties are curated based their beauty, texture, and ability to thrive in the local environment, with a focus on bulbs, perennials, and shrubs not easily found commercially in New Zealand. The growing season runs from September through to April. With the height of availability in December to March.
TJF is not a florist. The style of flowers offered is relaxed clutches of what is abundant and in season at the time of picking. As a lover of casual paired back fashion, modern vintage homes, all things white, textured & organic in form, my choice of flowers also naturally lean towards a relaxed loose aesthetic, full of movement, texture and character.
Personally drawn to muted colour palettes, overtime this has evolved as I discovered with considered application the most unexpected flowers can look remarkable together.