WILL AND Kristin Nickels are two Southern souls with a passion for the land and a love that blossomed within the natural beauty of North Carolina’s Appalachian State University. With an entrepreneurial background engraved in their roots, it was only a matter of time before they found their calling as floral farmers.
Their journey began when life guided them to Manchester, where a farm leasing opportunity captivated them. This charming Tennessee town became the fertile ground for their dreams to take root.
Will remarked, “I grew up here in Manchester; our family is all here. I went to high school in Manchester, and then Kristin and I met while we were in college in North Carolina. Once we graduated, we got an opportunity to move back to Manchester and work on a farm and see what we could do.”
The couple’s initial plans did not consist of running a floral business, but they sought whatever opportunity that would allow their passion and experience to flourish.
The duo’s connection with nature and sustainability deepened during their college days. It was on a Carolina farm where Kristin discovered that farming could be more than a hobby — it could be a fulfilling career.
“I’ve always been interested in taking care of the environment, but it didn’t start to transfer into a passion for farming until I got to college and lived in Boone. And then, I got the opportunity to work on a flower farm in Beech Mountain. And that’s where I really learned that farming could be a career that we could pursue,” Kristin explained.
With a harmonious blend of expertise, Will’s bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Development combined with Kristin’s business education formed the perfect recipe for their family-owned floral business. This community hub blossomed into a sanctuary for flower enthusiasts and environmental advocates alike.
Southern Flora Farms is where Will and Kristin nurture their flowers without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Instead, they lovingly feed their crops with organic matter like compost, straw, and worm castings, embodying their commitment to sustainable farming practices.
The couple’s journey began with planting vegetables and flowers, but they soon found their niche in producing vibrant, eye-catching blooms. Their bountiful harvest graces local farmers markets year-round and adorns local store shelves throughout Middle Tennessee during peak growing seasons.
After starting an impressive 95% of their crops from seeds, any remaining plants are thoughtfully sourced as plugs, bolts, or corms. Will and Kristin’s pledge to their community is unwavering; they only sell what they grow, ensuring the freshest and most authentic experience for their customers.
Their retail locations, including admired spots like Harvest Local Foods here in Manchester, the Turnip Truck in Nashville, and Urban Market in Franklin, serve as thriving outlets for their beautiful creations. But the true essence of Southern Flora Farms lies in the farmers markets and, of course, the harvest season.
The couple’s seasonal mixed bouquet, their “bread and butter,” embodies the essence of their farm. Each week, it reflects the garden’s vibrant offerings, with fillers, foliage, and focal flowers that tell the story of their hard work and dedication.
For Will and Kristin, their farm is more than just a workplace; it’s an expression of their commitment to the community. Embracing a new style of agriculture grounded in organic practices, they have become pioneers in their field, inspiring others with what is possible when we connect with the land.
Kristin remarked, “I think we’ve changed a lot of minds, and we’ve shown everyone that we can grow a lot of products and value in a very small space… so I think we’ve proved that it works. We have shown people a new style of agriculture and what is possible when following organic practices.”
For the dynamic duo, every bouquet sold is a full-circle moment — a realization of the labor and love poured into their craft.
She added, “We’re giving them the opportunity to buy a product that was grown right in their own community. The consumers are the other piece of the puzzle to making this whole system work.”
The continuous cycle of planting, nurturing, and harvesting fills them with excitement and pride, especially when they surpass their previous achievements.
As harvest time approaches and Southern Flora Farms continues to thrive, Will and Kristin’s hearts remain rooted in the belief that community and connection are at the heart of their endeavor. Guided by their unwavering love for the land and a shared dream, they have cultivated a place where beauty blooms and Southern charm intertwines with sustainable living.
If you ask Will about his sentiments about harvest time, he’ll tell you it represents the hard work they put in year-round.
“It’s all of our work coming to fruition. It’s almost like a celebration, and we get really excited. There are always things that don’t perform like we want them to. So whenever they do, or whenever we grow something better than we did last year, we just get to pat ourselves on the back and be proud of our efforts.” GN
