About Us

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the long and winding road this friendly neighborhood flower farm has traveled. Read on to learn about our story, our growing standards, the importance of local flowers, and about the farmers behind the flowers.

flower farm New Lexington Ohio Lancaster Farmers Market fresh bouquets

Our Story

Down the Road Farm was established in 2013 in New Lexington, Ohio by first generation farmers Lauren and Zack, who grow high quality, specialty cut flowers on a portion of a wooded, secluded 12 acre flower farm in the rolling hills of southeast Ohio surrounded by Perry State Forest. We use sustainable growing techniques to bring you the most Earth-friendly, local beauty possible, and grow varieties of cut flowers not widely available from groceries and florists.

We chose our name, Down the Road Farm, for three reasons. First, back when we started as beginning farmers, we knew we had a lot to learn, so we joked our "budding" enterprise would be a farm “down the road.” Second, the name represents our commitment to local, to being the farm next door, and selling within our community. Finally, our name is about our commitment to sustainability; we are tending this piece of land and choosing production practices that help protect our soil and other natural resources for the future.

Sustainable growing practices agriculture southeast Ohio

Our Growing Standards

We are committed to nurturing our land, our environment, and our local community. We practice responsible land stewardship including soil building practices which promote soil organic matter and prevent erosion.

We focus on integrated pest management to utilize beneficial insects and support pollinator health, and use ground cover to decrease weed pressure rather than herbicides or mechanical cultivation.

We take the road less traveled, using no hazardous synthetic chemical herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, or genetically engineered seed because we want to lessen our impact on the planet and do the right thing for future generations. Instead, we use cover crops, crop rotations, mulch, compost, and other natural methods to manage weeds and pests and improve soil fertility.

Local cut flower bouquets near Lancaster and New Lexington Ohio

Why Local Flowers?

Flowers can delight us at our happiest hours, comfort us in our darkest days, and nourish our souls in the times in between. Flowers are a reminder to cherish the beauty around us.

Unfortunately, about 80% of flowers sold in grocery stores and to florists are grown, harvested, stored, and shipped (without water!) for days and even weeks from thousands of miles away. They are often treated with hazardous chemicals which pollute our environment and harm farm workers. The result is lifeless blooms that only live a few days, but leave a big environmental footprint.

We want to be your "grown not flown" local flower option. Our flowers are grown in New Lexington, Ohio and are harvested fresh at their peek, usually within 48 hours of you receiving them, and rarely leave water post-harvest. We design unique and lively bouquets and arrangements on site and sell locally, bringing you the freshest flowers with the longest vase life available.

Team DTRF

Lancaster Farmers Market fresh cut flower bouquets

Zack

Field and Produce Manager

When he's not busy making it all happen on the farm, Zack is an experienced archaeologist, with a career spanning Ohio, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and the Midwest. He has a degree in archeology from Ohio University.

Farm fresh flowers near New Lexington Ohio

Lauren

Floral and Business Manager

In addition to farming, Lauren has worked in Ohio's sustainable agriculture community for 13 years in communications positions with the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association. Previously, she has worked as an environmental advocate to help protect Perry State Forest from coal mine development and enact clean car standards in New Mexico. She has sociology degrees from New Mexico State University and Ohio University.

Ammi

Chief Mole Patrol Officer

Ammi is our wild flower, named after Ammi majus (false Queen Anne's lace). She is in her terrible twos, a German Shepard/Blue Healer mix, and a rescue from the Ashland Animal Rescue Fund. She enjoys digging holes and killing moles, chewing anything she's allowed to, lots and lots and lots (and lots) of exercise, and at the end of the day, a good belly rub.

We believe that good, local food should be affordable and accessible, so in addition to cash, we accept the following payment options at the farmers' markets we serve:

Credit and Debit (good for flowers, produce, and soap)
SNAP EBT (administered centrally by the Lancaster Farmers Market, good for produce only)
Ohio Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Coupons (Buckeye Hills Regional Council and LifeCare Alliance, good for produce only)
WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program Coupons (good for produce only)

We are proud members of:

HERE'S WHAT ONE OF OUR CUSTOMERS HAD TO SAY:

"I'm in love with your fresh flower bouquets!... Thank you for the beautiful work you do.”