Hope in Full Bloom: A Camp Verde Family Finds Healing in the Fields

Pronounced dead on the scene, Jacob was revived and he and his family faced two long years of recovery. Encumbered with the responsibility of two young children and two months from delivering her baby boy, Brandie was transplanted from her comfortable home in Camp Verde to hospital rooms and clinics in Phoenix.

“We had to move to Phoenix to be near Jacob, as he was transported from hospital to hospital for treatment. He broke his pelvic girdle and had a traumatic brain injury and he was told he would be in a vegetative state for the rest of his life. Leaving our home in Camp Verde on the spur of the moment for many months, all of our houseplants in the house died.”

Upon returning home, Brandie missed the greenery of her houseplants, and a new idea began to take root. “I told my parents I wanted to purchase an acre of property adjacent to our home to grow flowers,” she said. Her parents frowned on the idea, calling it a bad financial decision, but Brandie pushed through to her dream and Bloom Flower Farm sprouted.

“I wanted something that my children and I could connect with,” said Brandie.  “When Jacob came home, the house had to be 100% sterile for his recovery, especially since this was during COVID.  I felt so cooped up and I think the children did, too. I wanted to be outside in the fresh air. Planting seeds was hard, but there is a reward – beautiful flowers. All three children participate in the clearing of the land, planting and picking flowers. Their faces just light up when they’re out in the field of flowers.”

Brandie was introduced to gardening at a young age. “My dad always had a big garden and was always growing things, so we developed a green thumb. I always liked the idea of growing plants and homesteading.”

Jacob is now still in recovery and continues treatment, but he helps with Bloom Flower Farm – running the tractor to clear the land, packaging flowers and delivery. “The doctors predicted Jacob would never recover, but through a lot of physical therapy, he is recovering well. He is a walking miracle and one of the sweetest guys.”

“When Brandie told me she wanted to start a flower farm, I told her I would help her and do as much as I can. I thought it was a good idea because it would help to support our family,” said Jacob.

“Our first year, we sold mostly to farmers markets, then florists and floral designers started contacting me and the business grew,” said Brandie.

Today, a vast variety of flowers grow on Bloom Flower Farm. “We started with zinnias, then cosmos, and this year we added three types of baby breath. We have eucalyptus, roses, batch button, multiple types of basil, floral dill and sunflowers. We also grow edible flowers.”  

“I think Brandie set a wonderful example for how to build a modern-day family business with intention, skill, patience and resilience,” said Arizona Flower Collective co-founder Terri Schuett, a longtime florist and flower grower. “Her curiosity, dedication and enthusiasm are contagious. I can tell you that the fresh botanicals I see coming from Bloom Flower Farm are absolutely stunning, extremely high-quality and amazingly long-lasting.”

Bloom Flower Farm is 100% organic. “We do not spray any chemicals and we use ducks for pest control and fish emissions for fertilization,” said Brandie.

Along with Brandi’s gift for running her flower garden business, she is also working toward a nursing degree as a perfusionist, one who works with doctors to protect a person’s health during surgery and other medical procedures.

“When our community learned of Jacob’s accident, many people reached out to help and they even planned fundraisers. We are forever grateful,” she said. “My kids have been through a lot of trauma, more than other kids their age. Bloom Flower Farm gave them hope and something to look forward to.”

Brandie notes that planting seeds is not easy, but there is a reward, and she wanted her children to be raised in an environment where hard work pays off. “Watching their dad slowly get back to normal gives them hope and connection. Planting our flower farm has been such a blessing for all of us.”  

Moving forward, Brandie says they are planning a subscription service and also a self-picking service.

For more information, visit the Bloom Flower Farm on Facebook. VVBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, VVBN

Photo by R. Veronica Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Brandie Wolfe found comfort in planting seeds. What sprouted next became a business.