YA BUSINESS MENTORSHIP NETWORK – SUMMER LOVE FLOWERS

“ Observation is my most important tool. Over the past couple of seasons, I’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation on my little half-acre. There are so many more species of bees and birds, and we now have a thriving population of snakes, tree frogs, and ladybugs. Hearing an orchestra of insects buzzing while hummingbirds feed and a little tree frog curls up in a petal tells me I’m on the right track. ”

– Laura, Summer Love Flowers, Salt Spring Island, BC

Young Agrarians is celebrating the eleventh year of the Business Mentorship Network (BMN) program in BC and the third year of the BMN in the Prairies! The BMN offers a year-long farm business mentorship to a diverse array of new and young farmers. Through one-on-one mentorship, peer networks, and online workshops, new farmers develop the skills necessary to operate ecologically sustainable and financially viable farm businesses.

Applications for Mentees across Western Canada open in October 2025. Mentor applications are accepted year-round. Want to be notified when applications open for the 2026 cohort? Click below!

Meet a mentee from the current cohort and learn about their farm and why they joined the Business Mentorship Network. Want more? Head over to our BMN Blog for more mentorship stories.

Meet a Mentee: Summer Love Flowers

Nestled on the beautiful Salt Spring Island in the Salish Sea, Summer Love is my little half-acre flower farm – a place where my passion for floral design and my dedication to growing sustainable local blooms can come to life. Salt Spring Island lies on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the SENĆOŦEN and Hul’q’umi’num speaking peoples. I’m Laura (she/her), and I’ve had the privilege of growing up on this land and raising my three children here. Summer Love is deeply rooted in my connection to this land, a way to honor its natural beauty and make art with flowers.

What inspired you to get into farming?

I think I’ve always been drawn to the magic of plants. One of my earliest memories is of a crabapple tree blooming outside my window when I was just two years old. At five, I missed our honeysuckle vine so much when we moved that I insisted we plant a new one. A few years later, my dad dug up a section of the backyard to plant some vegetables, and I was immediately captivated by seeds and their incredible potential. I planted popcorn and beans from the cupboard, and to my delight, that fall, I popped my own homegrown popcorn! The desire to nurture and grow has always been a part of who I am.

How did you learn how to farm?

My journey into farming has been a beautiful blend of experiences. Traveling and working on various farms gave me diverse perspectives, and when I decided to put down roots on Salt Spring, I continued farming and was fortunate to be mentored by several farmers I deeply admire. The internet has also been an invaluable resource. If you need to know how to improve germination for your Lisianthus, for example, the internet can definitely help!

What is your business structure, and where do you grow?

Summer Love is a sole proprietorship, and I’m currently cultivating about half an acre. I grow on land that’s part of Falcon Farm, a 72-acre property with fruit trees, sheep, ducks, and geese. The owners of Falcon Farm have been incredibly supportive, and together, we’re working to enhance the land’s fertility, support the natural ecosystems, and improve biodiversity through regenerative farming practices.

How do you grow?

Sustainability is at the heart of Summer Love. We practice low-till or no-till farming to protect the soil’s structure and health. All the compost we’ve used so far has come from the sheep, ducks, and geese on the farm, though this year, I may bring in some manure from the horses next door. We’re committed to avoiding herbicides and pesticides of any kind, even natural ones. Intercropping, cover cropping, and crop rotation are all strategies we use to invigorate the soil, promote biodiversity, and enhance fertility.

Observation is my most important tool. Over the past couple of seasons, I’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation on my little half-acre. There are so many more species of bees and birds, and we now have a thriving population of snakes, tree frogs, and ladybugs. Hearing an orchestra of insects buzzing while hummingbirds feed and a little tree frog curls up in a petal tells me I’m on the right track.

What business resources do you use?

My best resource is always the community of farmers around me. Their shared knowledge and support are invaluable. Second to that, I’m grateful for the women who’ve gone above and beyond to support other flower farmers. Erin Benzakein of Floret provides a wealth of information on a wide variety of cut flower topics, available for free at www.floretflowers.com. Jessica of Sierra Flower Farm has a website full of crop plans and growing techniques at www.sierraflowerfarm.com. And Brianna Bosch of Blossom and Branch Farm shares lots of ideas for eliminating plastics and growing more ecologically at www.blossomandbranchfarm.com.

Why did you apply for business mentorship?

I’m incredibly grateful for the mentorship of Thanu from Wild Bee Florals. She’s an incredibly organized, driven, and passionate business person with a huge heart. I applied for this mentorship to improve my marketing and sales, streamline administrative tasks, and grow my business. As a farmer, the greatest challenges for me lie in marketing and sales. It involves learning a whole new set of skills that don’t come naturally, but I’m committed to sharing these beautiful flowers with as many people as possible, so I’m learning every day.

How can we reach you?

You can contact me at summerloveblooms@gmail.com or find me on Instagram @summerloveflowerco. Check out my new website at www.summerlove.ca

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Summer Love Flower Farm. I invite you to follow along on my journey, visit the farm, or enjoy the beauty of my flowers from our farmstand or at one of the farmer’s markets. I welcome your comments and questions – please feel free to reach out!