EVENT RECAP: Blooming Business – Lady’s Hat Farm

Posted by Marsha Shack on July 25, 2024

Under skies that drenched us in liquid sunshine, the Alberta-based apprentices of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program had the pleasure of touring Lady’s Hat Farm, a beautiful specialty cut flower farm located near Castor, Alberta. Nestled amidst the endless prairie skies and sage-filled badlands of central Alberta, this farm offers a breathtaking backdrop for its vibrant fields of flowers.

Our tour was hosted by the owner, Nikki Wiart and her apprentice Rachel.  We learned about the history of the farm, which has pivoted from growing veggies and lambs to flower cultivation. Nikki’s dedication to growing thousands upon thousands of cut flowers in zone 3 is admirable and her commitment to ecological growing practices by growing flowers without the use of chemical inputs is commendable.

We had the opportunity to see a wide variety of flowers in various stages of bloom, each one more stunning than the last. Nikki and Rachel explained how these flowers are cultivated for various purposes, including supplying florists, markets, weddings, and weekly bouquet subscriptions. It was fascinating to learn about the different stages of growth and the care that goes into producing such high-quality flowers. Nikki was generous enough to talk more about her business practices and the apprentices took this opportunity to ask their questions. The apprentices also spent time sharing what they’ve learned so far this season from their respective host farms.

At the end of the tour, we got to try our hand at harvesting and arranging a bouquet, each of us eager to bring a piece of the farm’s beauty home. To round out the afternoon, we were treated to wood fired pizzas, crafted by Nikki, and a potluck of delicious salads and treats.  Our afternoon at Lady’s Hat Farm was both educational and inspiring. We left with a deeper appreciation for ecological flower farming practices and the natural beauty of Alberta’s prairies. If you ever find yourself at the Market in Red Deer, a stop by their booth is a must. 

Follow Lady’s Hat Farm Online

Website: ladyshatfarm.com

Instagram: instagram.com/ladys.hat.farm/

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Photos and write-up provided by Sasha, the Alberta Apprenticeship Program Coordinator at Young Agrarians