From Seed to Experience: The Story of Bar OA Farms
Project: Bar OA Farms
Year Completed: Ongoing
When Bar OA Farms was established in 2018, it began as a humble yet ambitious endeavor: a regenerative cut flower farm offering Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) memberships and direct sales to local flower enthusiasts. What started as a small-scale operation soon blossomed into something far greater—a destination for immersive agritourism experiences.
Today, Bar OA Farms is more than a farm; it’s a place where people connect with nature, celebrate local food, and create unforgettable memories. This evolution reflects our passion for sustainability, community, and innovation while showcasing the importance of supporting local businesses.
The Roots: Starting as a Cut Flower Farm
When we first opened Bar OA Farms, our mission was simple: to grow beautiful, sustainably cultivated flowers that brought joy to people’s lives. The CSA model allowed us to foster a direct connection with our customers. Each bouquet delivered was a reminder of the beauty that comes from supporting local agriculture.
We operated with a commitment to sustainability, embracing practices like:
Reducing single-use plastics and eliminating peat in our operations.
Promoting biodiversity through crop rotation, cover cropping, and planting native species.
Paying a living wage and hiring with diversity, including Indigenous employees.
These principles were the foundation of our farm, guiding every decision as we grew.
Branching Out: Adding Tourism Experiences
In 2022, we took a bold step forward by hosting our first pilot event, the September Moon Dinner. What started as an intimate gathering of 16 guests under the stars became the spark for a new chapter at Bar OA Farms.
By 2023, we expanded our offerings to include Brunch in Bloom and Garden Parties, along with the signature Moon Dinners. These events combined our love for flowers, food, and community into curated experiences that delighted the senses:
Brunch in Bloom: Guests savored farm-to-table meals surrounded by vibrant flower fields.
Moon Dinners: Elegant long-table dinners under the moonlight showcased seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
Garden Parties: Interactive events where guests could pick flowers, make herbal products, and enjoy live entertainment.
These experiences immersed visitors in the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds of our farm, turning a simple visit into a cherished memory.
The Value of Supporting Local
As Bar OA Farms evolved, we remained rooted in the importance of supporting local businesses. By collaborating with nearby chefs, artisans, and producers, our events became a platform to showcase the incredible talent and products of our community.
Here’s why supporting local matters:
Economic Impact: Every dollar spent locally has a ripple effect, supporting not just our farm but also other small businesses in the region.
Sustainability: Locally sourced ingredients and materials reduce transportation emissions and promote environmentally friendly practices.
Community Connection: By working together, we’ve built a network of partners and customers who believe in the power of community-driven growth.
Creating Value Through Experiences
Diversifying into tourism experiences not only enhanced the visitor experience but also strengthened our farm’s bottom line. These events allowed us to:
Increase Revenue: Agritourism provided a new income stream, reducing reliance on traditional farming alone.
Build Brand Loyalty: Guests who attended our events became lifelong supporters, returning for future experiences and recommending us to friends.
Showcase Our Story: By inviting people to the farm, we shared the story of our sustainable practices, deepening their appreciation for what we do.
Moreover, these experiences gave us the opportunity to educate visitors about sustainable farming and the value of regionalized food systems.
Looking Ahead: Growing Together
Bar OA Farms has come a long way since its beginnings as a cut flower CSA. Each year, we strive to innovate, expand, and create new ways for people to connect with the land and each other.
The future holds exciting possibilities, from larger events to partnerships that amplify our mission of sustainability and community connection. At its core, Bar OA Farms will always be about growing—not just flowers, but relationships, memories, and a shared appreciation for the beauty of local agriculture.
Join Us on the Journey
Whether you’re savoring a Moon Dinner, picking blooms in our fields, or simply stopping by for a visit, we invite you to be part of the Bar OA Farms story. Together, we can continue to celebrate the power of local, the joy of nature, and the magic of meaningful experiences.