Coyote Flower Farm and Design Studio
Est. 2021
Located in Oregon's beautiful and agriculturally rich Hood River Valley, our fields are full of organic flowers and home to a community of moon howlin coyotes. We hold creative workshops and sell flowers directly to the public. Our flower stand is open from late July through October.
Hi I'm Jess of Coyote Farm Studio. As humans we often have a vision or an idea, and we set out to make it reality. In the case of Coyote Flower Farm, it was the opposite, the land had the idea, I just became the tool to bring it into reality.
In 2021, our neighbor was sharing childhood memories of running through the apple orchards that once filled the fields around our home. The trees had been planted at the turn of the century and were active up until the 1960s when the land was subdivided into rural residential 2.5 acre lots. As I tried to imagine the empty weedy acres in front of me as lush orchards heavy with fruits and kids climbing trees, a little seed began growing in my heart.
That seed nagged at me for weeks and began to take root. Although I had never grown anything more than a few vegetables in a raised bed, I felt inspired to bring our field into something more. I decided I would grow Marigolds, in honor of my mother. I spent the winter of 2022 studying the art, science, and business of flower farming with Erin and Jill of Floret Flower Farm. As a mom of twin toddlers working a full-time job, I did not have the extra 120 hours that were required; with late nights, strong coffee, and the support of my husband, I completed the course. It felt good to learn something new in my early 40's and by the time the snow started thawing I couldn't wait to start.
We had 2.5 acres of weeds and gophers, but we had good dirt and access to clean mountain-fed river water for irrigation. We tilled, composted, and with the generous help of a neighbor's tractor, we prepped 5,000 sq ft of field. I started seedlings for the first time, (half of them looked dismal) but I was proud. I watched and waited, not sure if anything would grow. And then things started to happen. By July, what once was a quiet field was now a place of beauty and life. By August, color took over, seemingly endless bouquets were shared and every bloom felt like I was holding the universe in my hand. The field was transformed into an ecosystem alive with chirping birds and buzzing with bees, croaking frogs, and shy snakes. And then the season was over but I was officially hooked.
FIRST TILL IN -2022
FIELD PREPPED AND IRRIGATION LAID- 2022
FIRST YEAR SEEDLINGS- 2022
JUNE 2022
JULY 2022
AUGUST 2022
First Year Breadseed Poppy
Buplerum
First Year Dahlia and Zinnia Harvest
Breadseed Poppy Pods
For our second season, we built a workshop and doubled the size of the field. With the skillful help of my dad, we built a flower stand and began selling flowers to local florists and the public. I hosted the first round of natural dye workshops from flowers grown on the farm. All this while working my full-time job and raising kids. I can't explain what obsession is, but I know what it feels like.
WORKSHOP 2023
Farm Stand 2023
In 2024, I committed full-time to sharing the magic of nature through flowers. What I realized in my first season is what continues to motivate me today; that growing flowers is growing community. With every seed planted I'm encouraged by the joy and beauty it will bring.
My husband and friends still ask what my plan is. The truth is, it's not a traditional business plan built on a rigid set of goals, it's a fluid and alive thing, a commitment to keep moving forward and letting the seed tell me where to grow.