Episode 767: Floral tourism at FAM Flower Farm in Lisse, Holland

In this episode of the Slow Flowers Podcast, host Debra Prinzing explores the innovative floral tourism model of FAM Flower Farm in Lisse, Holland, co-founded by Linda Vanderslott and Marlies Veyers. The two friends, married into Dutch tulip and dahlia farming families, left their corporate careers to create a direct-to-consumer business that emphasizes a 'feminine touch' and storytelling through Instagram, photography, and in-person farm experiences. Their mission—'grow your own happiness'—combines sustainable bulb and tuber production with agritourism, offering limited seasonal tours to visitors from around the world. The episode captures both a pre-recorded interview and a filmed visit to the farm, highlighting the meticulous process of growing tulips and dahlias, including crop rotation, virus detection, and the emotional moment of harvesting blooms. The hosts reflect on shifting consumer attitudes toward imported flowers, with growing interest in locally grown, organic, and personally cultivated blooms. FAM Flower Farm’s success lies in its authentic connection with customers, blending education, community, and beauty. The farm’s expansion into new crops like ranunculus and gladiolus, along with their bestselling book 'The Joy of Dahlias,' underscores their role as both growers and advocates for slow, sustainable flower farming. The episode concludes with a celebration of place-based agriculture, the power of storytelling, and the growing movement toward conscious floral consumption. Debra emphasizes that FAM Flower Farm exemplifies how small farms can thrive by embracing transparency, community, and the joy of growing.