Today we’d like to introduce you to Mallory Toops.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Tate Flower Farm was started in hopes of carrying on a family legacy. I am Mallory Toops, owner of Tate Flower Farm. I have grown up on my family’s 4th generation farm in South Charleston, Ohio. My great grandparents, John and Elizabeth Tate, bought the farm in 1957. They raised beef and dairy cattle, swine, and chickens. In addition to their livestock farm, they took great pride in their vegetable and flower gardens. The harvests were plentiful of a variety of produce and fresh-cut blooms.
My great grandma, Elizabeth, is 99 and still lives on the farm today. We have always shared such a special bond. I decided to start my flower farm with one goal: to give her a “purpose” in the final years of her life. It has been the most memorable summer incorporating her into my flower farm. From the design of the logo to making floral arrangements, she has been part of the journey with me every step of the way. She enjoys when I bring her fresh-cut blooms from the field. My favorite flower is the cafe au lait dahlia. When the first one bloomed, I knew she had to have the first dahlia of the season. She still talks about the dahlia several weeks later!
I am a special education teacher, but in my free time during the summer, you can catch me in my flower garden. I may be pulling weeds, deadheading, cutting fresh flowers, or making a bouquet for a member of my community. I am happiest when I am doing what I love– flower farming. I plan to expand my farm next season to have a longer growing season. I am currently hosting U-pick events, bouquet-making parties, selling cut flowers to local florists, and bouquets by order. Agriculture has always been rooted within me, thanks to my family, and I have found my passion with growing and selling cut flowers.
I have been greatly supported by my friends and family during this new journey. I couldn’t do it without them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Flower farming has had many ups and downs. My main struggle was in the beginning of the season, right after I planted 1,200 zinnias, 25 Dahlia tubers, a cosmo patch, and a pollinator patch. I noticed that nearly half of my seeds weren’t sprouting several days beyond their germination period. I couldn’t quite pinpoint what or why they weren’t growing. I was certain that we have quality dark soil, so surely that wouldn’t have been an issue. After analyzing my field with my dad, he pointed out that I had a rodent issue. Moles were my biggest issue this season. I decided that I was going to start an additional crop of zinnias in starter trays to ensure that the seeds had long enough to germinate before the moles could attack them once they were transplanted. This ensured that the plants were not going to be affected by the rodents when they were transplanted into the big field.
As you know, we’re big fans of Tate Flower Farm. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
My farm specializes in growing cut flowers for purchase. I grow dahlias, zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers.
At Tate Flower Farm, we sell cut flowers in arrangements, stems to local florists, and stems at u-pick events.
My farm is unique in the fact that it is a 4th generation farm, and I am carrying on my great grandparents’ tradition while still incorporating the matriarch of my family into the daily operation.
I am most proud of my logo, which was designed with my great grandma’s handwriting and floral sketches.
I want readers to know that I am happy to share my flowers with them. It brings me joy that my flowers are blessing them.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
As a child, I was always interested in the farm. I had several pets on the farm from ponies to kittens to hogs. I was in 4-H as a child to my early adult years and showed hogs at the county level every year. As I got older, my family started raising our own show pigs. Raising our own show pigs taught my brother and I a great sense of responsibility. Caring for the livestock was something I had always loved.
In addition to being involved on the farm, I was active in several sports. I was a busy, happy kid who loved staying busy. I was a homebody. The farm was the happiest place to me. I can recall some of my most favorite childhood memories on the farm with my family.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: tateflowerfarm
- Facebook: tateflowerfarm
Image Credits
Becca Lynn Photography
