Rising Stars: Meet Michelle Shackelford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Shackelford.

Hi Michelle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been flower-obsessed my entire life. My parents owned a nursery business for the first five years of my life. I think that solidified my passion for plants at a very early age. I always knew that I would eventually start some sort of farm revolving around flowers. I discovered cut flower farming around 2009 and knew that was it. 

We purchased our home in December of 2012, and that spring was my first year in business. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been an easy road. Farming is hard work! As a farmer, I deal with erratic weather, troublesome insects and diseases, deer, rodents, and rabbits, seasonal shifts in buying, procuring supplies, marketing, but there really is nothing else I’d rather be doing. Business owners wear a lot of different hats. 

Learning to balance it all out has been the hardest part. I’d rather be growing my flowers than sitting at a computer, but I do have to commit to giving both equal effort. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve always considered myself a creative person. New ideas are constantly flowing in my mind, and I definitely love the draw of a shiny new object (plant, craft, project). 

Flowering farming does give me an outlet for creativity. I get to decide on farm layout, flower varieties, and floral design choices. 

Making a bouquet is very much an art form. I find that the best bouquet makers have an artistic background. 

One of my signature crops is specialty winter tulips. The harvest begins in late January and continues right on through early May. We offer tulip subscriptions from February through April. This year, we planted around 10,000 tulip bulbs. 

The mixed bouquet subscriptions season begins in May and continues through October. I’m also adding a private you-pick this year. Tickets will be available via my website once I settle on the dates. 

My favorite aspect of the farm is my farmstand. A local artist painted a floral mural around the exterior of the shed, and it is so joyful. I’ve been working on the landscaping around the shed as well. The spring display should be beautiful! 

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Connecting people to local flowers and the joy that flowers can bring. Flowers can mean so many things. They don’t have to convey only love or condolences; they can mean friendship, honor, memory, admiration, appreciation, forgiveness, thought, heeling, value, adoration, and more. 

Flowers are not just for women. They are for all people and all ages. Sharing flowers with others can make a difference in that person’s life. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.leelanauspecialtycutflowers.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/leelanauscf
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Leelanauspecialtycutflowers/