Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela and Frank Arnosky.
Hi Pamela and Frank, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
We are a first-generation family farm that began to grow and market our specialty cut flowers to our local markets and grocery stores in 1992. By 1993, HEB Central Market opened its first store on North Lamar in Austin, and we became the premier producer of Texas Grown flowers. Each year, we expanded our production to fill the growing demand for long-lasting, high-quality, locally grown fresh cut flowers. Since our farm is about a 45-minute drive from Downtown Austin, our Blue Barn Farm and Market is a scenic drive for folks who want to come out to walk the farm, experience “nature,” be in a peaceful location and then buy fresh cut flowers and plants to take back with them to the city. Since the spring of 2020, our Blue Barn Farm & Market have been 100% on the Honor System: folks come out, pay by cash or check, into the Red Cash Box that hangs by the front sliding barn doors. The doors are open every day, 9 AM to 5 PM, year-round. The selection of flowers and plants changes with the seasons. We have a farm newsletter that details what we have available each week, and folks can sign up via our website, www.texascolor.com. We are also the Marigold Capital of Texas! and grow acres and acres of marigolds for Dia de Los Muertos and also, Diwali celebrations. Our town, Blanco, is hosting the first annual Texas Marigold Festival this coming October 23rd-30th!! www.texasmarigoldfestival.com. The festival closes with the annual Marigold Dance, which is held this year at Twin Sisters Dance Hall, the oldest continuously operating dance hall in Texas!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Farming is never easy, but one is never bored because the challenges that one faces are so varied and all-consuming. While weather and insects challenge the production of the flowers, one thing is always great: People LOVE Flowers! Flowers make people happier, gentler, and more compassionate. Gardens provide refuges. So, no matter how “hard” our job is, we always know that it is “good work,” and is helping to make this world a better place.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Arnosky Family Farms and Texas Specialty Cut Flowers is known as being the premier cut flower farm in Texas. We also have spent many years helping to educate other growers, through writing, speaking at conferences, and hosting tours on our farm. We are part of the Certified American Grown Flowers grassroots organization to make people aware that they can buy American grown flowers, and help to support local communities of which farms are an important part.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Every endeavor requires that you expend time and money and energy, learning that thing that you are trying to do. Doing anything well requires your utmost effort. Farming is one of the most demanding jobs imaginable, and farming successfully requires knowledge about not only the soil and the plants, but also marketing, packaging, electrical repair, well repairs, etc. And to grow larger, you have to have employees, and that is a whole ‘nother set of challenges!
Contact Info:
- Email: arnoskyflowers@gmail.com
- Website: www.texascolor.com
- Instagram: @arnoskyfamilyfarms
- Facebook: arnoskyfamilyfarm
Image Credits
All photos except one where noted, are taken by Pamela and Frank Arnosky
