A Unanimous Decision was Made Last Night - Our Flower Farm is Here to Stay!

It's no secret that flowers are incredibly healing.

They teach us so many lessons about life, about blooming after darkness, and, most of all, about perseverance and never giving up.

That is why our home - our flower farm - has been so special to me, and to so many others who have expressed their hearts, shared their stories, and found peace while simply having a conversation here.

For the past 2 years, we have had the looming and overwhelming feeling that someday soon, the property that surrounds our flower farm would be developed into an auto auction and salvage yard.

Not anymore! Let me explain.

The property that surrounds our home and farmette (because we're just shy of 2 acres) is beautifully surrounded by neighboring farm fields, woods, wetlands, and neighbors who would give you the shirts off their backs if you needed it.

The kind of place you want to slow down, pause time, and let your children run wild and free - safely in a space that allows their little minds to bloom in their own time.

For the past 9 years, we have been fortunate enough to be stewards of this land, to call it home, and to provide an organically grown haven for all sorts of wildlife, pollinators, and birds - as well as our own livestock.

When the news hit me that the property next to us (approximately 75 acres of it) had been purchased at public auction, at first I thought nothing of it. It was quiet after all. There are wetlands and power lines, and who would be able to develop on any of that? A company named Copart auto auction, that's who. At least that's who purchased it and what their intentions were.

Since last Summer, our family got word that not only were the property plans coming together, but there would soon be official township meetings, zoning meetings, and the like. I am NOT a political person by any stretch, but when it comes to a family farm, environmental destruction, and ruining the integrity of a rural town - well, that's when the fiery "mama bear" kicks on.

We sat in countless meetings, had numerous discussions with officials, and shared our story with numerous residents in Franklin Township - and guess what? Nearly 7 months later, it worked!

The initial and final zoning variances were up for review last night, and the zoning board unanimously voted to deny the variances that would allow this auto auction to destroy and devastate the land surrounding our farm (not to mention our property values and well-being, as well as the well-being of the surrounding residents).

When I tell you the mix of emotions I felt immediately rush in [my heart rate was at 130 bpm after speaking, you know].. Phew! We dodged a major proverbial bullet.

The peace and integrity not only remain intact for our rural town, but for our home and the surrounding residents' homes as well.

What does that mean for this 2026 flower season, and how does that relate? Well, truly, it means that for the foreseeable future, we no longer have to worry - we no longer have to feel the pressure of "we have to move before this thing happens".

We get to enjoy and share the peace and home we have created here, and that means something.

Envision, if you will, slower times.

Moments where you can bring a friend or two and enjoy the quiet sounds of nature, while picking your own flowers to take home.

Moments where your little ones can play again, and where their moms, grandparents, and caretakers don't have to worry when they're here.

Moments where time ceases to exist, and the flowers are abundant amongst the horses.

That's what I envision for 2026 at Bits & Blooms Flower Farm, and I hope you can see it as clear in your mind's eye as I can.

I can't wait to enjoy this journey with you in the year ahead, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting our dreams.

-Rachel