Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Parks.
Hi Kari, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Kari Parks, and I’m the owner of Flourish Organic Farms, a small specialty cut flower farm nestled in Washington’s beautiful Stillaguamish Valley.
My Journey to flower farming was not a straight path. Before becoming a flower farmer, I worked as a first mate aboard a catamaran offering snorkel charters in Maui, Hawaii. My husband David and I returned to Washington State to raise our two children in my childhood home. I saw this as an opportunity to cultivate something meaningful.
In 2019, Flourish Organic Farms was born from a simple dream: to grow beautiful flowers in a way that honors both people and the land. What started as rows of seeds and a lot of learning has flourished into a seasonal flower farm serving our local community through farmers’ markets, weddings, wholesale florists, and floral education.
Along the way, I’ve discovered that flowers have a remarkable way to connect people. They celebrate life’s happiest moments, offer comfort during difficult seasons, and remind us to slow down long enough to notice beauty.
Recently, my curiosity led me to an unexpected and creative direction. Using a biofeedback device called PlantChoir, I began translating the natural electrical signals of living flowers into music. Those recordings have now been published on Spotify, allowing listeners to experience flowers in an entirely new way. For me, it’s become another expression of something I deeply believe: nature has stories to tell, if we are willing to listen.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Flower farming is physically demanding, financially unpredictable, and deeply dependent on weather. Every season brings new lessons, crop failures, unexpected pests, challenging market conditions, and moments of uncertainty. There have been seasons when I questioned whether I could continue.
I’ve also learned that building a small business means wearing nearly every hat imaginable: farmer, florist, marketing manager, bookkeeper, photographer, educator, and advocate.
One of my biggest personal lessons I’ve learned is that success doesn’t always mean growing bigger. Sometimes success means creating healthier boundaries, simplifying your offerings, and building a business that supports your life instead of consuming it.
Each challenge has deepened my appreciation for our local farming community and the customers who intentionally choose to support locally grown flowers. Their encouragement has helped sustain the farm through both the beautiful and challenging seasons.
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?
At Flourish Organic Farms, we specialize in organically grown seasonal cut flowers inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. We grow heirloom and specialty varieties that celebrate each season rather than importing flowers from around the world.
Beyond growing flowers, I’m passionate about building community. I co-founded Floral Current, a collective of Snohomish County flower farmers who work together to provide locally grown flowers to florists and event professionals while consistently representing seasonal flowers at our local farmers’ market. I believe collaboration is more meaningful than competition, and together we’re strengthening the local flower movement one season at a time.
What I’m most proud of is creating experiences that help people reconnect with nature. That might be through a bouquet picked up at the farmers market, flowers designed for a wedding, an educational workshop, or even listening to the “songs” of flowers through my recent PlantChoir recordings.
My hope is that when people experience Flourish Organic Farms, they notice the quality and beauty growing in the community in which we live.
I hope people leave with flowers from our farm feeling inspired to notice the beauty growing right here in our valley.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Stay authentic.
It’s easy to compare yourself to the “experts”, but your greatest strength will always be your own story. Build something that reflects your values instead of chasing trends.
Give yourself grace while remaining accountable. Remember that success doesn’t happen overnight. The most meaningful businesses are cultivated slowly with consistency, curiosity, and a willingness to keep learning.
Dont be afraid to evolve. Every season has taught me something new, and each chapter has opened doors I never would have anticipated.
Trust the process, celebrate small victories, and remember why you started.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.flourishorganicfarms.com/flowers
- Instagram: @flourishorganicfarms. https://www.instagram.com/flourishorganicfarms?igsh=NnhoMXF3OHIyOWxt&utm_source=ig_contact_invite
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18j4LSKEAZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kariparks206?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
- Other: https://ditto.fm/flourish-kari-parks
