Sarah Barkhouse, Owner/ Farmer-Florist
Sarah has been growing and arranging flowers organically in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire since 2007. She has provided flowers for hundreds of weddings and events in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Sarah has a degree in Horticulture from UMass Amherst's Stockbridge School of Agriculture and has been captivated by gardening and flower arranging since she was a child. She also adores keeping a mixed flock of chickens. Sarah's favorite flower is a Peony. |
Vanessa Helgerson, All-around Powerhouse.
Vanessa has been working alongside Sarah since the beginning and is involved in every aspect of the flower farm (except the arranging, and she likes it that way!) From pounding posts and digging dahlias to bookkeeping and farm operations, Vanessa loves getting to use her head and her hands. Her favorite part of all this crazy flower-farming business is simply witnessing the Joy the flowers bring to our customers. Vanessa's favorite flower is a Dahlia. |
Willa, Picker, Processor & Arranging Apprentice.
Both Willa and Vera Flora were est. April 2012! Sarah recalls wearing Willa in the baby wrap while sowing seeds in the greenhouse that first season and Willa would end up with potting soil on top of her head! At 8 years she knows more flower varieties than most adults, is handy with a set of clippers, and is a talented floral arranger. She loves making "flower confetti" in her spare time. Willa's favorite flower: changes with the seasons! |
Heath, Flower runner & Equipment Operator in training.
Heath is Vera Flora Farm's youngest helper. He loves all things to do with trucks and tractors. His first car will probably be a dump truck. Much like his sister he is enjoying getting to use clippers to cut flowers and practice making arrangements. He is great at collecting bunches of cut flowers and running them over to the processing tables- a great job to get some energy out! Heath's favorite flower is a Zinnia |
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What's in a name?
The farm is named after Sarah’s paternal grandmother Vera Mae, whom Sarah believes she inherited her passion for flower gardening from. She was the only person in Sarah's family who cared about gardening and flowers. Sarah remembers being enchanted by grandma Mae's flower beds and fruit trees and berry bushes as a child- like a little homestead paradise! Vera also means Truth in Latin and refers to the flowers being grown organically and within their natural seasons. Vera Flora = True Flowers. |