Growing flowers since 2016, Courtney Mellblom has created a distinctive and highly regarded business, Farmermaid Flowers. Her farming is rooted in regenerative practices; her floral designs are loose, organic, and natural; and her outlook is rooted in supporting the local community. She found that FarmLink’s courses could provide a good resource for next steps in her business development. She explained, “I was eager for an opportunity to learn more about the business side of farming, which is complex and industry-specific, and probably not the reason most of us are drawn to farming. But it’s as necessary as irrigation!”
Courtney purchased acreage in 2021, to expand on her leased land, and in the winter of 2022 she participated in the Resilerator course. Like each member of her cohort, she started with the Resilience Self-Assessment. Looking back, she reflected, “I wanted to deepen my understanding of taxation, accounting, financing, and sales contracts. The course far exceeded my expectations. The content is great, and the opportunity to ask questions and get one-on-one time with a mentor is invaluable.”
When hiring for the first time, Courtney knew that becoming an employer was a big step, and she received support from a Small Business Development Center. “But I wanted to learn everything I could about agriculture-specific regulations, and deepen my understanding of the responsibilities and requirements of being an employer,” she said, and enrolled in the Employment Resilerator. “With the help of California FarmLink, I’m proud to be a business owner who creates quality jobs in my community!”
The RWB team is deliberate about crafting welcoming, supportive and effective learning environments. The team builds community among clients, with a blend of online and in-person courses. “I never thought I was one for online learning,” Courtney reported, “but these classes are phenomenal and the course material is well-suited to this type of learning.”
Learn more about Farmermaid Flowers and where to buy their products here, including local, organic flowers for weddings, events, and wholesale.
This story is featured in our 2023 Annual Report.
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