Congratulations to Virgina Goeke of @DriftlessBlooms, our final winner in the #farmerbaileyscoopcontest.
Thanks to all entrants, it has been a joy to see your Scoop Scabiosa blooms, grown from coast to coast! We are humbled and grateful to provide plugs to our fellow farmers and gardeners.
Read on for more about Virginia!
"My name is Virginia Goeke and I’m the farmer-florist of Driftless Blooms, near Viroqua in the driftless region of SW Wisconsin. My husband John, our two sons, Sylvan and David and Sylvan’s wife Breanna operate our highly diversified family farm, Sylvan Meadows Farm. Our desire is to glorify God with everything we do and with Driftless Blooms specifically, we want to share the beauty & joy of flowers and Jesus to those we meet.
John and I are full-time farmers and sell our farm goods to retail stores, restaurants and direct to customers. We grow seasonal flowers for Weddings (designed & diy buckets) Restaurant clients, Florists, Events, Workshops & our Markets.
In our first season selling flowers about 10 years ago, John cut flowering branches from our orchards and hedgerows to sell at our downtown Madison market stand. Our first flower client, Chef Dan, spotted the tall blooming branches and wanted them for his restaurant.
What started as a few buckets of Spring branches has grown into weekly deliveries of seasonal flowers to upscale Madison clients. We love that our clients trust us to bring what is seasonal, lovely and unusual for their restaurant and event spaces.
Being a Farmer-Florist is not for the faint of heart! Our clients’ florals start with soil, seeds, plants and plugs. Our designs are sometimes years in the making! (think peonies, lilacs, hydrangeas). Ordering unique varieties in luscious colors from trusted suppliers is key to growing beautiful blooms.
Many of our Brides celebrate their day in colorful, wildflower themes, lovely pastels, glowing autumnal hues and more rarely, white & ivory. Our Brides appreciate an out of the box bouquet: Organic, garden inspired? Wildflower meadow? Whimsical?English Cottage garden?
Wild & untamed?
YES please!"
Quite sad that this farmer refuses to provide floral services to LGBTQ couples.