Farms Fresh Flowers

Pumpkins and colorful blooms abound on this South Dakota flower farm, which has quickly become a beloved hub in its community with its special events and U-Pick gardens

- AUTUMN KRAUSE

Christy Heckathorn lives in "one of the prettiest places in Union County, South Dakota," a title bestowed by those familiar with her patch of paradise. Seeing these photos on these pages is all the proof you'll need to agree. The farmer-florist owns Fleurish Flower Farm with her husband, Chad, a cornand soybean-seed dealer and row-crop grower, and she spends her days on a half-acre fairytale farm bursting with blooms.

"Twice a week we host public U-Pick events, which run from mid-July to October, and also sell specialty pumpkins that we raise," Christy says. The farm has become a central heart of the community, coming alive not only with flowers but with the pulse of the guests who pick the blossoms while enjoying a local coffee truck, live music and sweet-treat vendors. Everyone gets to leave with their souls, spirits-and arms-filled by nature.

NEW GROUND