ROLAND, AR — The Flower Farm grew out of the Eggers' desire to return to Arkansas and own a little acreage. The main challenge to this was the need to replace income that would be lost because of this return and Beth to be able to continue to home-educate their daughters. After researching the cut flower industry, attending seminars, visiting other flower farms this seemed to be a viable way to meet the income goal and still enjoy the desired home life.
Wye Mountain sits on over 8 acres of sandy loam soil; an old hog barn; temporary housing in a 10'x65' mobile home and a beautiful building site for a future home. The summer of 1998 Beth and the girls camped-out in the old mobile home while Butch continued working in Omaha, Nebraska. That year the farm began with 12 beds of flowers and they were blessed to sell everything they could raise. With all the travel expenses that year they did not come close to making a profit but they knew the potential was there.
Butch was transferred back to Little Rock in January 1999 and the family began to plan that year's flower crop and build a house. The following summer they again expanded and also began wholesaling to a specialty produce store and a large local florist. Currently they can produce more flowers than can be sold at River Market, so Beth and Butch are considering expanding their wholesale products and a u-pick berry operation. It is a joy to be a flower farmer and after all these years you would think it would be smooth sailing but there are always variables that cannot be controlled (mainly the weather and market competition). Every year the Eggers' try to bring a new attention getter to market and to raise better quality flowers to keep their customers interested and satisfied.
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