Cottage industries
Murphy – Holly Strawn opened Harpp Flower Farm in 2022 and completed her fourth growing season this year.
“It started very small and has slowly expanded each year. I have always gardened, though in the past I grew more vegetables than flowers,” Strawn said. “When I first started, I had no idea how different farming is from gardening, but I love it so much.”
The name Harpp comes from the first letter of her name, the first letter of her three daughters’ names, and the first letter of her mom’s name.
“The name of the farm is my attempt at honoring the three generations of women who are living and growing here together,” Strawn said.
Harpp Flower Farm grows and offers specialty cut flowers for weddings and events with a focus on unique varieties and colors.
“I use my flowers to design arrangements for events of all sizes. I provide custom designs for full-service weddings, a la carte options in four color palettes for smaller weddings, elopements or other events,” Strawn said.
Individuals who are interested in using Harpp Flower Farm’s flowers can purchase bulk DIY buckets for events and parties or get one of their bouquet subscriptions. Strawn sells flowers that she grows to other floral designers, who help provide them with seasonal blooms that are difficult to ship or source.
From June through October, you can find Harpp Flower Farm florals at the Union County Farmer’s Market in Blairsville, Ga.
“When I first started, I said I never wanted to do weddings,” Strawn said.
“I was very small and only sold through some local shops our bouquet subscription program and supplied a few restaurants with weekly flowers.”
Today, she has provided florals for 180 weddings, fully designed and grown by her farm.
“I farm and design full-time and almost solely use the flowers that I grow,” Strawn said.
In the future, she wants to continue to fine-tune her growing and designing process.
“I want to provide the highest-quality florals possible for weddings and other events,” Strawn said. “I’d also love to help people learn how amazing locally grown flowers are.”
Each day, week, and month look different for Harpp Flower Farm because it relies on the seasons, both the farming and wedding side of the business. Spring, summer and fall are full of planting, harvesting, farm management and designing. While winter is slower for the hands-on work, this is when Strawn plans everything she will need for the upcoming seasons.
Each week, she spends a few days focused on farm tasks such as planning, weeding, harvesting, conditioning flowers, seed starting, etc. The other days are focused on designing and planning for the weddings and events that are on the schedule for that week.
“It really depends on the size of the event. That’s what dictates the amount of time I spend in each area,” Strawn said. “I also try to spend time each day on the behind-the-scenes business tasks like sending emails, writing proposals, designing, planning, ordering supplies, etc.”
Like with any farm, Harpp Flower Farm faces challenges that are both in and out of her control.
“Despite all of the beauty, flower farming is still farming. It’s hard, physical work. I’m outside working in the cold, rain and heat,” Strawn said. “The weather is always changing, and there is so much that is out of my control with regards to crop success, failure, bugs, disease, rain or lack thereof, surprise frosts, extreme heat, etc.”
Event with the hard work and unpredictability of owning a flower farm, she expressed her favorite parts of her job.
“Picking a favorite part is so hard to decide. I love that it is ever-changing and no day looks the same. I love the beauty that I am surrounded by each day. I love seeing the joy on people’s faces when I deliver flowers,” Strawn said.
“I love being outside with my hands in the dirt, and I also love being in the studio creating something out of what I have grown. I love working with couples to help bring their wedding vision to life. I love seeing the colors and textures of the different flowers and combining them all,” Strawn said.
“I just really love what I do.”
Details: Visit harppflowerfarm.com; it can be found on Facebook and Instagram @harppflowerfarm.