A Beautiful Arrangement at Pura Vida Flower Farm

Everly Greenlaw loves to spend her days skipping barefoot along rows of sunflowers, roses, and gladiolus, stopping occasionally to breathe in sweet scents and snip a wayward stalk. At 3, Everly is well on her way to becoming a seasoned gardener, thanks to parents Natalie and Jarred Greenlaw and Pura Vida Flower Farm. She’s not alone, as siblings Sawyer, 2, and Dawson, 1, are close behind. Baby Barrett has some catching up to do.

“Our children can name more varieties of flowers than the average adult, and we consider them master pruners,” says Natalie, her face lighting up as she talks about the family flower farm specializing in organic cut flowers. “There are so many lessons embedded in farming, and we love learning alongside them.”

The farm got its start thanks to a surprise discovery.

“Our journey began when we attempted to grow organic vegetables for ourselves and our young kiddos. We added a few flowers and quickly learned that they protect, strengthen, and even flavor the veggies. So, while we didn’t exactly set out to start a flower farm, now that it’s in our lap we can’t imagine doing anything different.

“We have an overwhelming sense that we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be, and we’re passionate about growing our flowers organically and regeneratively and being good stewards of our land. We’re keenly aware of the blessing that is our soil, and we know inevitably it will not always belong to us, so we want to leave it better than we found it for the next generation.”

In order to achieve their goal, the small farm at 8770 65th St. is strictly no-till, and that reduced ground disturbance improves soil health and reduces environmental impact. Synthetic fertilizers are a definite no-no, with the main source of plant food supplied by the couple’s worm farm, a nutrient-producing composting system that uses worms to break down food waste. As a result the flowers flourish.

“We’re involved in every square inch of what goes on with the farm and our business,” says Natalie. “There’s something to be done every single day, and it’s really a privilege to get to do those things. It’s been an exhilarating learning curve to jump not only into farming but social media management, marketing, photography, event planning, business ownership, and everything else.

“We have one part-time employee, Kayla, who is just a gem! She’s a hard-working creative who sees and fills the needs of the farm and business. We’re also blessed to have incredibly supportive friends and family members who jump in at a moment’s notice to watch the kids, seed a tray, or wash a bucket. We also occasionally hire additional part-time workers on an as-needed basis, but basically it’s just us, Jarred and me.”

With energy, enthusiasm, and multiple cups of espresso, the couple begins the weekday early. Jarred, a program analyst for Northrup Grumman, leaves home by 3:30 a.m., returning home in the early afternoon for farm and family time. Natalie, who “sleeps in” until 5 a.m., spends the quiet time in prayer, taking courses, editing images, and responding to emails. Once the sun comes up and little ones greet her with happy smiles and open arms, she’s busy changing diapers and dressing and feeding little people. She loves every minute.

On weekends the family heads out early for a walk around the farm, stopping to admire groups of gladiolus and rows of roses before ending up at the wagon for breakfast, a special treat the children look forward to.

With weddings and other special events usually on tap, Natalie says, “Jarred and I eventually divide and conquer all that needs to be done. You can frequently find us with a toddler or two, or three, strapped to our backs as we cut flowers or make bouquets. We like adding fresh flowering herbs, in-season fruiting branches, and native bits and pieces that add interest and texture.”

The couple has come a long way since being Vero Beach High School sweethearts. Natalie, a fifth-generation member of the Haffield family, whose roots are in the citrus industry, earned a bachelors degree in biology and spent most of her early adulthood working in the medical field. While she found it fulfilling, she also enjoyed a variety of creative outlets and hobbies. After falling in love with growing, she feels she has the perfect balance.

“Flower farming strikes all the right chords: intricate applications of microbiology, an explosion of creative outlets with floral design, photography, web design, social media content, and the opportunity to be a fully present and intentional parent,” Natalie enthuses.

Jarred feels the same way. After studying at a Bible college overseas, he returned home and joined the U.S. Air Force, where he acquired a variety of mechanical and technical skills related to aeronautics. Today he works as a software engineer. One way or another, he brings all of his skills into play on the farm. For example, he has mastered large-scale irrigation networks and plot plans.

Jarred’s true passion lies in the techniques of natural farming. Natalie is his biggest fan and cheerleader. “When it comes to the world of natural farming, Jarred is an encyclopedia of knowledge,” she says. “He is always whipping up a new concoction of native fungi inoculant or fermented seawater to continue healing the soil. He is lit up by the fulfillment of flower farming and the quality family time it allows.”

“Many of our customers are amazed at the varieties we’re able to grow,” Natalie explains. “They’re in disbelief because they’ve never seen many of them. But the majority of flowers don’t ship well, so if someone local isn’t growing them, there’s no way for them to get here.

“We love closing this gap and introducing people to all the gorgeous flower varieties out there, and there are so many!” she exclaims.

She adds: “We’re really compelled to share the knowledge we’ve gained about natural farming approaches to make local agriculture more accessible to both backyard gardeners and large-scale farmers alike, and we’d love to open the gates and welcome guests on the farm someday.”

That day will come eventually, and don’t be surprised if Everly and her brothers are your enthusiastic and informative tour guides, telling you all you need to know about their flower farm.

Natalie sums it up when she says, “Our ultimate goal is to continue forging a seemingly narrow path: God at the center of a healthy marriage, intentional parenting, and a successful, fulfilling business venture that offers true value to our local community. Establishing a meaningful legacy is deeply important to us, and if we can continue teetering that line forward, we’ll feel like we struck gold.”

Or perhaps in their case, marigold.