Fern's Farmette probably started sometime in the early '90s, when owner Ashley Hutchison gardened alongside her Grandmother Peggy and first smelled the magic that is a spring peony in full bloom in Kansas. Since then, Farmette evolved from the first basil plant grown in Utah, to small market gardens in North Dakota and Indiana, to its new - and permanent - location in Kansas. After a spring peony or sweet pea bouquet, there is no better smell in the world than freshly worked earth, and I hope to share its gifts with you.
The move back home to Kansas has a tale, and one that's not completely our own. Click below for a preview of the history of our farm, and follow us on social media @fernsfarmette for ongoing stories and tall tales. As I like to say, I hope you come for the flowers, and stay for the stories. Part 1: The Universe Aligns Part 2: Love Actually Part 3: The One with the Snakes Part 4: Home |
Ashley's partner and Farmette's sole handy person is Justin Stein. Justin is a skilled carpenter and contractor, which are central to Farmette's logistical operations - aka keeping deer out of the flowers, general engineering, tool maintenance, and manure/mulch spreading. He gets very excited when I ask him to take pictures with the flowers.
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Christopher Robinson, also known as just Chris or Pickles (long story), was adopted after Maggie's death in Oct '22. We didn't realize at the time how well he'd fit into farm life. Chris' favorite past time is hanging out with us in the fields in the sunshine, supervising our work and taking naps. He's a social butterfly, so sometimes you can catch him down on Mass St at the Sandbar or Red Lyon patio.
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Kiki is the newest addition to farm dogs, adopted from the Lawrence Humane Society after we "failed" fostering her. She has a giant head as one can see from the picture, diligently guards our property from intruding squirrels, and is literally the happiest pile of pittie I've ever met. She is a bit shy to new people if you ever meet her, but she warms up quickly.
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RIP Maggie
Maggie was our beloved boxer, who witnessed the transformation of Fern's from a neglected, run down house and property through to the farmhouse restoration and land rehabilitation. She enjoyed a full year at Fern's with us before her cancer came back. She'll always be the "first dog of Fern's." |
RIP Dexter
Our 12 year old Boston, who was the largest farm dog trapped in a small dog's body, passed away in August '21. He had a habit of sleeping on the job and his garden antics - like eating all my strawberries straight off the plant - are sorely missed. |