Jennie Love
Jennie Love started growing flowers professionally in 2008 with only an inkling of where Love ‘n Fresh Flowers would lead. Since then, her work has been featured in the New York Times, Martha Stewart Weddings, Country Gardens, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and elsewhere.
Here’s her story.
From Jennie
Hi! I’m Jennie Love, owner of Love ‘n Fresh Flowers. I’d love to share a little of my story with you if you have a minute.
I had my first flower patch at age four in my mother’s huge kitchen garden on our 5th generation family dairy farm in central Pennsylvania. My soul has ever since been connected to the shifting of the seasons and the nurturing of unfurling petals and leaves.
Ironically, I needed to run away to the big city to realize just how much farming meant to me. After a decade in corporate marketing roles in Philadelphia, I found myself missing the earthy scent of soil and the physicality of manual labor. But I wasn’t keen to leave the city. So Love ’n Fresh Flowers was born in the heart of America’s sixth largest city.
Urban flower farming has proven to be just about the best thing I could have ever dreamed up for myself. I find it immensely gratifying to be the thoughtful stewardess of five acres of dwindling urban green space. It means the world to me to be able to create and sustain a healthy ecosystem within this concrete jungle.
I’m enamored with the community that has coalesce around my farm over the years. The smiles and connections that have bloomed over the bouquets the farm produces has led me to believe that there is magic in flowers we can’t quite understand, but to which every single one of us responds.
I’m delighted you are here! I hope to hand you a flower soon!
Podcasts for Flowers Farmers and Florists
Jennie Love hosts two education podcasts for farmers, gardeners, and florists.
No-Till Flowers is a podcast all about regenerative flower farming and includes lively interviews with experts and authors on topics such as soil health, natural pest control, crop planning, seed starting, climate resilience and more. A great listen for any small diversified farm or gardener.
Floral Guild Radio is a podcast bridging the gap between flower farmers and florists. Tune in for educational episodes and entertaining interviews all centered on the business of slinging flowers. Topics include pricing, marketing, seasonality, customer education, design tips, and more.
Areas of expertise Jennie can present on include:
- Regenerative farming and gardening practices
- Floral design demos
- Small-scale, intensive flower farming
- Backyard cutting gardens
- Best cut flower varieties for beginners
- Seed starting
- Specialty foliage + fillers
- Perennials, especially natives, for cut flowers
- JADAM/KNF for flower farmers
- Wedding floral design
- Marketing for small farm profitability
- Urban farming
- Small business management for creatives
- Gardening for the greater good
Speaking Engagements
A nationally recognized leader in the floral industry, Jennie is available for speaking engagements from November through March. Educate your audience on the value of locally-grown flowers, how to grow them, and how to design with them!
A trained professional horticulturist and life-long farmer, Jennie also has a natural knack for teaching. She frequently presents at floriculture and farming conferences, garden clubs, trade associations, and other organizations. Some notable venues have bee the Philadelphia Flower Show, PASA Sustainable Agriculture Conference, and Longwood Gardens. Jennie is a past president of the international Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ascfg.org) and is the founder of the Regenerative Flower Farmers Network, an international community of growers dedicated to healing the earth one stem at a time.
Jennie is the instructor for seven online courses and has led hundreds of in-person workshops and seminars.
Please contact info@lovenfreshflowers.com with inquiries about speaking engagements.
“On behalf of the Talbot County Garden Club, a huge thank you to you for sharing your inspiration, fresh energy and experience with us. . . Everyone thought it was one of the very best programs we’ve ever had and we cannot thank you enough. . .The positive feedback from your visit continues to pour in. You know when the elders are happy we nailed it on the head. Your powerpoint presentation and demonstration were fantastic. Not to mention the dahlias. I may have to drive up to Philly and buy some at your farm because they don’t grow them like that around here. . .“
“I have been taking classes with Jennie Love since 2010. And for many good reasons. First and foremost Jennie is an extremely knowledgeable horticulturist. I never fail to learn something new. I suppose this could be said of other experts in the field. The ineffable part of the experience is just being with Jennie, her gentle, gracious spirit, her convictions of growing sustainably and regeneratively, her creativity and her humor.”
“Jennie Love is the best kind of teacher — passionate about not only the subject but her students.”