Today we’d like to introduce you to Audrey Nelson

Hi Audrey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

My partner, Evan, and I started our little farm back in 2020 just months after the pandemic hit and shortly before a nearby fire forced us to evacuate our home. The land has belonged in Evan’s family for decades, but we are the first to farm the land. While we both work full-time, we loved the idea of giving something back to the land and community that we are so lucky to call home (Native Molalla lands).

I have always loved sunflowers and pumpkins so the first year that’s all we grew (in addition to our own vegetable gardens)- and we expanded from there. Every year has been a learning experience, adapting as we learn and grow.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

It has been far from a smooth road, with economic, personal (time, budget), and farming challenges. The land we now farm was largely neglected for years, a problem we are still working to resolve by improving the soil health and using organic farming methods. As with any garden, we face the usual pest problems- from invasive beetles to hungry slugs and deer, and as a no-spray farm we have had to be creative, often relying on mechanical removal of insect pests (by hand) or temporary fencing. Each season our profit varies greatly based on the state of the economy- a challenge facing most small businesses, as well as a learning curve on marketing (never my strong suit). As we both work full time, managing the farm has always been a challenge, but we have learned creative methods over the years to work smarter-not-harder without the technological advancements and machinery of larger farms.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

We are technically a flower farm but over the years have adapted to prolong our season, provide unique products, and increase our audience range. While each farmer-florist has their own unique style, I still often find it challenging to compete with larger or more marketing-saavy bouquet-makers, and the time-constraints of selling a perishable product. While still providing some fresh bouquet options, I have largely shifted to working with dried flowers. A large portion of my fresh flowers are now saved for dried material, which I then sell directly in bunches, in dried bouquets or dried wreaths. I have long-admired dried florals and the beauty the continues long after most flowers perish. Some of my favorite pieces to make are my crescent moon wreaths.

I also feel very strongly about the lack of non-toxic consumer options on the market, so I offer hand-poured all-natural soy and beeswax candles (scented with therapeutic-grade essential oils). Both dried florals and candles have allowed me to provide offerings all year-round despite our growing season only lasting 6 months out of the year.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?

Living on a farm has always been a dream of mine, and there are many perks living away from the hustle and bustle of the city- lots of room, fresh air and clear skies (hello stargazing), to name a few, but it does create challenges for marketing. While I love the local community and always get support from our neighbors, I have found that heading closer to the city greatly broadens my audience and increases sales. Living on a relatively-busy rural road, logistics of operating a farmstand have been difficult at times- including theft and lack of visibility from the road. I have future plans on improving access, visibility and security of our self-serve farmstand, but have largely focused my energies on going to in-person markets this season. This has allowed me to connect with people face-to-face, meet fellow makers and growers, and build relationships with repeat customers. My next goal is to increase our online presence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.affolterfarms.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/affolterfarms
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/affolterfarms
• Other: https://affolterfarms.bigcartel.com