Cultivating Growth with Locally Grown Flowers
Melissa Ginther, owner of Ruthie Mae Blooms near Warrensburg, Missouri, didn’t set out to start a flower farm. What began as a heartfelt gesture to grow flowers for her son’s wedding quickly blossomed into a new business. But turning a love for growing into a sustainable business proved to be a challenge.
Melissa isn’t new to entrepreneurship. She previously ran a successful vintage furniture business in Kansas City's West Bottoms. But running a rural flower farm came with new struggles—especially when it came to marketing, managing perishable products, and finding community support. Unlike vegetable gardening, flower farming required learning everything from harvest timing to post-harvest care, while also navigating how to price and sell her blooms. She admitted, "I can make anything grow, but selling it is a huge learning curve." Even finding a walk-in cooler to preserve her harvest became a significant hurdle.
And there was the isolation. Transitioning from a bustling urban market to rural life left Melissa longing for connection and guidance.
An Unexpected Connection Changes Everything
Melissa's turning point came through an unexpected encounter. When a neighbor reached out for a custom bouquet, Melissa gladly delivered it. That neighbor turned out to be Bridget Luff (pictured in the green on the right of Melissa above), the Farm Outreach Coordinator at New Growth. During a visit to Melissa’s farm, Bridget shared how New Growth supports beginning farmers and business owners.
Bridget listened as Melissa described her challenges and aspirations. She offered resources, connections, and ideas that could help Melissa grow her business. It was a conversation that opened doors Melissa hadn’t known existed.
From Uncertainty to Opportunity
Melissa quickly discovered that New Growth could help her navigate more than just funding. Participating in educational opportunities, like the Farm to Fork Summit, introduced her to a wider community of growers who understood her struggles.
“Being at Farm to Fork and hearing others share their experiences made me realize I’m not alone,” Melissa said. “I learned so much just by listening. It gave me new ideas to try and ways to think differently about my business.”
It was through her connection with Bridget that Melissa learned about a fieldscapes grant. She applied and was awarded $10,000 to help her incorporate sustainable practices on her farm over the next three years—a step that will improve her operation’s resilience and efficiency.
Building a Business with Support
Beyond grants and programs, Melissa has found the most valuable resource to be community. New Growth’s monthly beginning farmer events have connected her with others facing similar challenges. Conversations with fellow farmers have sparked solutions and encouragement, helping her overcome feelings of isolation.
“Being a small-scale flower farmer can be isolating,” Melissa said. “But connecting through New Growth’s programs has given me ideas and motivation. It’s inspiring to know others are figuring it out too.”
Melissa is moving forward with plans to open a boutique U-pick experience and sell directly to florists. And as she navigates how to market her flowers, price them appropriately, and build consistent sales channels she knows she's not alone. New Growth is available to help her handle the business side of farming too, connecting her to a network of expertise and support, offering ideas and solutions that help her navigate obstacles and grow her business with confidence.
Growing Stronger Together
Melissa’s story is one of resilience and community. The path of entrepreneurship isn’t easy, especially when it comes to building a new business in rural Missouri. But with New Growth’s support, Melissa has found resources, solutions, and most importantly, a sense of connection that keeps her growing.
And when a business like Melissa's succeeds, it doesn't just create a job for her—it opens doors for future growth. As Ruthie Mae Blooms expands, it holds the potential to create more local jobs, support other businesses, and contribute to a thriving local economy. It's a ripple effect of success that strengthens communities today and builds opportunities for the next generation. This is the heart of economic development, and it's how rural communities grow and thrive.
To learn more about Ruthie Mae Blooms, visit ruthiemaeblooms.com or find Ruthie Mae Blooms on Instagram or Facebook. You can email hello@ruthiemaeblooms.com
Want to learn how New Growth can support your farm or business journey? Email wbcinfo@newgrowthmo.org or call 417-282-5936
Together, we’re growing stronger, one beautiful bloom at a time.