What started as a love for fresh flowers in a small backyard garden has grown into a large-scale agritourism business on 29 acres of land for a Newmarket woman.
Janet Tuenschel is the owner of Country Cut Flowers, which is nestled among picturesque rolling hills and flower fields filled with colourful dahlias, marigolds, sunflowers, and ageratum.
“There’s a variety of beauty within all the flowers and colour,” said Tuenschel. “I love colour. You can get so much colour with all the different kinds of flowers. The scent is incredible. Even just the movement of flowers on a windy day is beautiful.”
She said her favourite flowers are tulips, daffodils, lilies, lilacs, lilies of the valley and peonies.
The farm is featured in the newly released book Bloom Across Canada. It features 50 interviews and portraits celebrating diversity, innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
“I thought Janet’s story was really beautiful, especially because she really followed her heart and listened to her gut when things weren’t going right initially,” said Beka Shane Denter, author of Bloom Across Canada. “She was able to quickly stand back, assess, and go back.”
She said Tuenschel did a phenomenal job ironing out the kinks in starting a business and a flower farm dependent on external factors.
“She is a great example of pursuing your passion no matter the cost,” said Shane Denter.
The flower farm offers couples a private space to share an intimate wedding ceremony among the flowers. It is also a public space for the community to cut their own flowers, craft, and paint in workshops, and meditate in yoga retreats.
Tuenschel said that she feels a deep sense of joy when she plays a small part in a couple’s wedding day and sees families visit the farm with their children as they grow up. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from the community, drawing residents from across the Greater Toronto Area, is a testament to the farm's success.
“I had people say this is the happiest place on earth,” said Tuenschel. “I feel amazed actually that people feel that way.”
The women and non-binary people featured in this book represent different backgrounds, creative journeys, and walks of life from every province and territory in the country. Their stories celebrate the unique perspectives each Canadian brings to their creative and entrepreneurial accomplishments.
“We have such a wealth of talent and passion in entrepreneurs and creatives,” said Shane Denter. “It came together organically.”
Notable participants in the book include Amy Robichaud, chief executive officer of Mothers Matter Canada, Marika Sila, Inuvilauk actress, influencer, and activist, Tene Ward, ballerina with the National Ballet of Canada and Kellie Loder, singer and songwriter.
Tuenschel said she feels honoured and thrilled to be included in the group but also experiences a bit of imposter syndrome. She stumbled upon the business after leaving her office job in 2012 with little plans for the future. It's safe to say her business grew naturally.
“I started a little gardening business when I left my last company and realized it was the flowers I loved more than anything,” said Tuenschel. “I started to grow flowers here, sold it at the Newmarket Farmers’ Market for a couple of years, and then realized people wanted to be on the farm picking their own flowers and doing their own arrangements.”
The book celebrates ordinary individuals, focusing on how each Canadian brings a different perspective to their creative and entrepreneurial accomplishments. It is a follow-up to Bloom Where You Are Planted, which featured 50 conversations with inspiring British Columbians.
For more information about the book, click here. It is also available for purchase at Chapters and on Amazon. For more information about Country Cut Flowers, visit the website here.
