Hello, we so are happy you stopped by!

Ever since I can remember, plants, flowers, and all things gardening have been a part of my life. Growing up mom always had plants inside and outside our home, and tending these with her is what I have the fondest memories of. Through gardening my mom taught me so much about nature, about life, and about myself. My mom has continued to pass on her love and enjoyment of plants to my husband, causing him to develop an interest and deep appreciation for plants and growing.

The summer of 2018 was when Dusitn and I embarked on our first growing season. Rather than sell, we shared our harvest of Snapdragons, Gladiolus, Dahlias, Zinnias, Cosmos, and Sunflowers with our neighbors. Usually this was on a Friday, and quickly became known as Flower Fridays on our road. We learned so much that year—about nature, about life, and of course about ourselves. The family bonding we experienced with our young son is something we will never forget; it has kept us learning, and trying, and failing, and growing. It’s funny how life has a weird way of showing you things before you really know the purpose (thanks Mom!).

Flowers are what started it all for us. In contrast to mushrooms, which require a strict, sterile, and exact precise set of conditions, flowers are guided by a completely different subset. While mushrooms perform their militant march towards total colonization, flowers dance in and out of our lives with the seasons. Science has made comparisons with us to the mushroom, and though we share similar biological traits with them, it’s the flower we have more in common with.

Flowers are as diverse as we are — they are patient, but persistent, finicky yet adaptable, delicate but resilient. They’re fleeting yet everlasting, and often times they speak for us when we are lost for words. They show up unexpectedly and surprise us with their beauty. They comfort us in times of tragedy and loss, and celebrate with us in times of joy and happiness. Mushrooms may nourish our body, but flowers feed our soul. And the two are infinitely intertwined…yin and yang, light and dark, a circle of reoccurring life. The mushroom mycelium is the foundation in which the flower stands upon. Their life cycles are bound together and repeat over and over. They need one another and they support one another much like we do through family and friendship.

Through gardening, we have learned the importance of family and working as a team. Having a shared vision and seeing it through is one of the best feelings! We appreciate each other’s strengths and know that together, anything is possible. Most recently we have learned that a garden can be a sanctuary from the world; where we can re-center, recharge, reevaluate, and reappreciate—it’s essentially our refuge. Sharing a bit of what brings us joy and peace with others is extremely rewarding. Our farm is an extension of who we are and our core values.

We are Flora & Fungi.

~ Marisa & Dustin