Nested Acres Flower Farm Owner/Operator Danielle Munroe is seen at her booth during the Living Locally Fair held in Russell on Jan. 20.   Thompson Goddard Photo

RUSSELL – Nested Acres Flower Farm, located on the outskirts of Russell on MacDonald Road, provides clients with the opportunity to purchase perennial and seasonal annual cut flowers as well as participate in workshops or photographic sessions at the farm.

“I started Nested Acres in August 2020.  We hired a tractor to bush hog three acres of our 10 acre 100-year-old farm,” explained Danielle Munroe, owner/operator of the business.   She described a “deeply rooted connection to the land, nature and the outdoors,” and says the development of entrepreneurship skills while participating in a family business during her youth were important considerations to starting a small business.

After losing her father in an accident in 2017, Munroe realized the need for developing a closer connection with the Russell community and during the COVID-19 pandemic she and her husband “began searching for a purpose for our 10-acre property and 100-year-old barn.”  After much research, it was discovered that even with six months of weather a cut flower business could be profitable in this province and would combine her deep love of nature and gardening with a business opportunity.

Currently in the third year of the business, Munroe mentioned, “This year the flowers, trees, and shrubs I planted to start the farm in Autumn 2020 are going to explode with life and abundance.”  She noted how most of the flowers grown are started from seed indoors during the winter season, while also using “perennials, bulbs and pre-grown flower plugs.”

There are many aspects of flower farming that Munroe enjoys, such as being able to spend time outdoors, share her joy of gardening with others, and “teaching my boys the power of hard work and dedication to something you love doing and connecting with other people,” explaining that her husband and two children help her in the business.

When asked about a challenge overcome, she mentioned the greatest challenge was the death of her father, adding “I miss him more than words can articulate, but I know that when I am out in the fields enjoying nature with my boys, he is right there with us.”  For those thinking of starting a new business, Munroe suggests researching the field, connecting with others in your industry, and advises to “never underestimate the power of investing in yourself.”

At Nested Acres Flower Farm, services to the public include a Bouquet Subscription Program, made to order bouquets as well as “wholesale and bulk Do It Yourself buckets of flowers” which can be picked up at the farm.  Orders can be placed by visiting her website and cut flowers can be purchased at local farmer’s markets in Greely and Navan monthly during the growing season.

Noting how knowledge is power, Munroe provides Friday evening workshops between June and September in the heritage barn on the farm.  These provide the opportunity to socialize while learning about gardening and bouquet design. There are Private Photography Sessions which can be pre-booked by photographers throughout the year.

More information on Nested Acres Flower Farm can be found on their Facebook page or website at www.nestedacres.com

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