Hi, I’m Carolyn.
I’m the owner & farmer of Whipple Bee Flower Farm and I want to share my story with you.
I grew up in northeast Pennsylania, a beautiful area of farmland, forests, and nature preserves. My mom and dad, who enjoyed gardening and beekeeping who took me on overnight camping trips, canoeing, and birdwatching, inspired me to love and appreciate our natural surroundings. I studied environmental science and went on to serve as an environmental advocate and as a fundraiser for conservation non-profits, like the Appalachian Mountain Club.
As a young professional in Boston, I had little space to garden at my home. Fortunately, I was able to rent a community garden plot, where I began growing vegetables and flowers. I loved having my hands in the dirt and watching a seed grow into a vegetable. Nature in action!
Fifty and Farming and It Feels Great
Fifty and Farming and It Feels Great
When I moved to the North Shore, I volunteered with the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, a program of Tufts University that provides support for people at who want to pursue farming. Their incubator farm at Moraine Farm n Beverly, Mass. leases small plots of land to new and beginning farmers.
I took New Entry’s business course for beginner farmers and said, “This is it! I want to farm.” In particular, I wanted to become a flower farmer because it aligned with my passion and interests. Ah, flowers!
After planting my first 500 specialty tulips in 2021, I leased a small plot of land at the incubator farm, where I learned to grow unique varieties of local, seasonal flowers using organic methods. I also studied with The Floret Workshop, Tulip Workshop, Association of Speciality Growers Association, and through a one-on-one farm mentorship in the field.
When I graduated from the New Entry incubator farm three years later, I transitioned to new land in Marblehead, thanks to the generosity and kindness of land hosts Susan and Jan at Five Foot Flower Farm. Growing flowers a short distance from where I live in Marblehead feels like home because it is my home.
I’m thrilled that I’ve been able to honor my family’s legacy and pursue this new career. I’m always looking for better ways to farm local flowers year-round, improve my business and environmental practices, delight my customers, and serve my community.
My journey has been full of ups, downs, surprises, and love. I wouldn’t be here without the support from Whipple Bee Flower Friends (thank you, loyal customers!), fellow small business owners, friends, family, and my husband Gary. I’m proud to say that I’m 50 and farming and it feels great.