Growing a Community Through Flowers
Apr 20, 2025
Why we believe in opening our gates and creating shared experiences among the flowers.
When we first started dreaming about Franklin & Co. Flower Farm, we knew we wanted to grow a place where people could gather, slow down, and feel a little more connected to nature and each other.
This farm was never meant to be just ours. It was always meant to be a space for others to enjoy alongside us.
Agri-tourism was always a part of the plan for Franklin & Co. Flower Farm.
What is Agri-Tourism?
Agri-tourism is the blend of agriculture and tourism. It’s when working farms open their gates to the public to offer on-farm experiences. It can look like flower picking, farm tours, educational workshops, sunset picnics, or just the simple joy of wandering through a field of blooms.
It’s about creating connection: to land, to people, to place. And for us, it’s about building something meaningful and memorable with the people around us.
Why We Need More Agri-Tourism in Northern BC
Living in Northern BC (zone 3), we know how deeply people value the outdoors. But opportunities to visit working farms, especially flower farms, are few and far between. We believe agri-tourism can help bridge that gap, bringing people closer to the source of their food and flowers, while also supporting rural economies and celebrating local agriculture.
This kind of tourism is gentle. It's rooted in real experiences, slow moments, and meaningful memories. It invites people to be part of farm life, even if only for a day.
And that’s what we want to create, because this farm was never meant to be just ours. It was meant to be shared.
Why People Need This Right Now
Most of us spend too much time in front of screens, rushing from one thing to the next. People are craving something real. They're longing for simplicity, peace, and the chance to reconnect with nature, with their families, and with themselves.
At least I know I was. This is why Franklin & Co. Flower Farm was born.
Agri-tourism experiences meet that need in the most natural way. There’s no pressure to perform or keep up. Just flowers, fresh air, and time together. For kids, it's a chance to explore and be curious. For adults, it’s a reset and a reminder of the beauty in slowing down.
These experiences are good for the soul. And we want to create a space where that kind of goodness is always growing. A space where everyone feels welcome.
The Power of Flowers and Nature
Walking through rows of blooms, breathing in fresh air and getting your hands dirty is grounding. Being around flowers and in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, and spark creativity. We don’t need a study to tell us what we already feel in our bones: flowers make people feel good.
We envision families coming to the farm, kids with armfuls of zinnias, couples picking the perfect stems for their kitchen table, and friends laughing together as they build bouquets. It’s about the memories made between the rows.
A family strolls hand-in-hand through the flower field as the sun begins to set, casting a golden glow over the field. Overhead, soft string lights flicker gently above the blooms, stretching across the rows like a canopy of twinkle lights. You can smell the soft perfume of the flowers in the air, feel the cool stems between your fingers as you gather your bouquet, and listen to the hum of bees and happy chatter all around. It's peaceful. It’s present. And the bouquet you bring home is a memory you harvested with your own hands.
What We're Building at Franklin & Co. Flower Farm
Agri-tourism has always been a big part of our vision. It's always been THE vision. We're creating a farm experience that welcomes you in. Here’s what we’re planning:
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U-pick flower events where you can build your own bouquet from what’s in bloom
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Flower bouquet workshops for groups and individuals who want to learn hands-on design skills and take something beautiful home
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Sunset date nights designed for couples to share a peaceful evening among the blooms, with cozy picnic setups and golden hour photo ops
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Family focused events that invite all ages to engage with the farm, whether it's scavenger hunts, flower picking, or interactive learning moments for kids
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Markets and seasonal events to bring the community together
Every piece of the farm is being built with this in mind: from the way we plant our rows, to the layout of the fields, to the cozy corners we’re creating for gathering. Because, after all, this farm was meant to be shared.
Our Invitation to You
We want it to be a place where people come to reconnect, with nature, with each other, and maybe even with themselves. We hope you’ll join us this season as we start to bring that vision to life.
We’re just getting started, and the best is yet to bloom.
Live Simply, Bloom Wildly
– Cory
Franklin & Co. Flower Farm
Want to bring a friend next summer? A U-Pick gift card is an easy way to share the flower field.
About Cory
Cory Franklin is a retired RN who had never grown a flower before she started Franklin & Co. Flower Farm, a zone 3 u-pick flower farm in Charlie Lake, BC. She is also the founder of Stemwise, a cut flower planning app. She shares what happens in her flower field, real dates and all, so you can grow with less guessing.
