Anna Jane Kocon
Little State Flower Company
Anna Jane Kocon is the owner of Little State Flower Company. A sustainable 5 acre flower farm based in Tiverton, Rhode Island that produces cut flowers almost year round. Anna Jane has been professionally growing and selling cut flowers for 18 years by pushing the boundaries of her seasons through the use of heated greenhouses, companion planting perennials and diversifying her market based on the time of year. All while maximizing her small and rugged farm space to its utmost potential. Little State Flower Company focuses steadfast on environmentally-friendly growing in an effort to create local, exciting, and creative options for its thriving farmstand and the wedding and event industry in and around Rhode Island.
Show Notes
Floral design experience gave Anna Jane an insight to how she has established buying relationships with florists and manages boundaries with her inventory.
The highest demand in florists may be the least attractive in retail. Blushes, neutrals and whites don’t sell in the farmstead but she can’t keep them in stock due to the demand from florists.
Considers herself to be a highly diversified year round flower farm much due to her perennial production.
Having an inventory of only annuals or seeds can be negligible to your bottom line at times. Anna Jane believes she must have a good established perennial base to achieve her goals.
Remember a well-grown healthy 3 gallon perennial is just a big plug but ultimately it’s a creative way to get a head start as a grower.
Anna Jane gave a few details about growing Foxglove year round with some varieties producing 12-15 stems per plant.
She talks about how growing in crates has created opportunities to extend the growing season and eliminate some stress. But she does recommend one be an intermediate or advanced grower and understand it is a high risk investment.
Once you can afford it, hire help especially for bookkeeping.
