Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Beutler.
Hi Chelsea, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t start out with the goal of running a flower farm; I started with a love for growing vegetables, hosting wellness workshops, and having a creative outlet. Flowers entered my life after covid when my husband lost his sense of taste and smell…and it never came back. It changed the way our family ate. When certain foods that we used to grow became intolerable, and our garden went to rot (year after year), I decided to turn my love of growing into a different outlet. Flowers entered the picture and quickly became a way to connect people — to their celebrations, to grief, and to joy. What began as growing and arranging flowers gradually revealed itself as something much bigger: a way to steward land, tell stories through blooms, and build community. I now grow specialty cut flowers entirely for event florists and local brides. I also design custom flower arrangements for weddings, special event, and everyday life. It is a joy to grow and design with flowers every day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Farming is never a smooth road, and entrepreneurship is no different. I recently heard a quote that made me laugh because it felt so true: “If you haven’t seriously considered quitting and selling feet pictures, you’re probably not far enough into your entrepreneurial journey yet.” In my second year of growing, my top wedding flower crop got hit by a fluke hail storm the prime week it was ready to be harvested. The loss was painful… it included the lost product, the time planting and growing it, and all the revenue…. it was 5 months of work gone in 5 minutes. I’ve learned to be resilient to the factors outside of my control (especially Mother Nature) which can make or break a season. I’ve learned to support local growers, to trust farmstand prices, and to pay more for quality products… because I truly know all the work that goes on behind it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Sunnyside Urban Farm specialize in sustainably grown cut flowers with varieties chosen for their color, fragrance, and garden-inspired charm. I choose flowers with our local wedding industry in mind. These are not flowers you’ll see at your grocery store. Our flowers are harvested at their peak, offering designs that feels romantic and fresh – you can tell they are not imported.
I serve local florists and DIY brides with bulk flower buckets. I am also a farmer-florist creating custom arrangements and à la carte wedding florals. I’m honored to share what we grow with our community. Everything we offer is created with care, craftsmanship, and a deep love for cultivating local flowers.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Fave books:
NO DIG by Charles Dowding
Postharvest Handling of Cutflowers and Greens by Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG)
Flower Farming for Profit by Lennie Larkin
Podcast:
The Flower Podcast
Courses:
A Flower Farmers Year, Petal Back Farm
Sweet Pea School, Marryn Mathis
Flower Arranging Workshop & Flower Farming Workshop from Floret
Pricing:
- Petite Wedding $515
- Heirloom Wedding $1450
- Signature Wedding $4100
- Bridal Bouquet $345
- Bulk Floral Buckets starting at $200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunnysideurbanfarm.com
- Instagram: @sunnysideflowerstudio
