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Date: 9/5/2022
HARDWICK – From selling bundles of sunflowers on the roadside to maintaining a field with over 30 varieties of flowers to choose from, 27-year-old Emily Paquette now owns and operates a floral business known as Lone Birch Blossoms.
While her business has grown tremendously over recent years, Paquette’s passion and knowledge goes way back.
She explained that her boyfriend of eight years, Dana Prouty, is a fifth-generation farmer at Clover Hill Farms in Gilbertville. At the farm, there is a field of sunflowers that Paquette decided to claim in 2016. “I picked them all and sold them [in bundles] on the roadside for $2,” she said.
The following summer, when one of her friends was getting married, Paquette, with the help of Prouty, decided to plant an assortment of flowers to be used on the big day. “[Prouty] went to an agricultural college and has been farming forever. [He is very] knowledgeable and helpful,” she said. To learn how to properly care for the flowers herself, Paquette took classes online.
As her proficiency grew, she established a “smaller business” that primarily included wedding florals. Paquette said she also participated in flower community-supported agriculture (CSA)’s. She explained that people who signed up to receive a CSA would receive weekly bouquets, for about six to 10 weeks.
By 2020, Paquette was ready to grow her business even larger. After posting photos of the flowers on social media, she explained that several people expressed interest in visiting the field. “[My field] was off a beaten path,” she said. With a vision for a more appealing place for crowds to gather, she moved her flower fields to another piece of land owned by Prouty’s family off Route 32.
Beginning last year, Paquette now offers pick your own flowers in her newly occupied field at 1807 Lower Rd. in Hardwick. For either $20 or $40, families can come and filter through the diverse blossoms. The field is open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Paquette noted that this offering has been successful. In addition to picking flowers, the field has also been used for photo shoots. For a one-hour session, she charges the photographer $50.
In June, Paquette’s floral business became her full-time job. From weeding to planting, she does it all by herself – with the help of Prouty, she noted. The planting season begins in a greenhouse in late February to mid-March and is transported out in early to mid-May. The season typically wraps up after the first frost of the year, which is usually around the end of September, shared Paquette.
“June through October is my busiest season,” she said, as she does three or more weddings each month. While she does occasional showers, her work is primarily used for weddings. Paquette noted that most of them are local, however, she will travel if necessary.
In the winter, she also offers some holiday wreaths. If Paquette does not have a flower that someone wishes to have, she explained that she will buy it wholesale.
Paquette dedicates a lot of her business’ achievement to social media. “I wouldn’t be where I am [today] without social media. The power of social media is so insane,” she said. Paquette primarily uses Facebook and Instagram to share her work, as well as her website.
She explained that her business’ name, Lone Birch Blossoms, used to be the name of her grandfather’s farm. Like Prouty, Paquette would have been a fifth-generation farmer if her grandfather had kept it going. “[I thought it was a] good way to honor my family,” she added.
Moving forward, Paquette would like to expand her business. She shared that she would like to do more in the flower fields, such as offering spaces for picnics, or creating a structure for people to go in and enjoy on a sunny afternoon. Additionally, she would like to bring in food trucks, offer workshops or pick your own pumpkins in the fall. “I would like to extend my season,” she said.
To learn more about Paquette’s floral business, visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lonebirchblossoms or find them on Instagram @lonebirchblossoms.
Additional information on Lone Birch Blossoms can be found at https://lonebirchblossoms.com/contact-lone-birch-blossoms/.