Our HappiLife Story
In 2015, it seemed many of the things that mattered in our journey from Ontario to BC were getting lost - healthy meals, fresh air, and time to enjoy the the mountains and care for our planet.
Then this farm found us. Nestled in the stunning Pemberton Valley, our 14 acres sits on some of the richest agricultural land in B. C. My son started an egg business, and my talented husband learned to build barns and raise turkeys. In 2018, I received a scholarship to study with Floret Flower Farm and the farming dream was launched.
By 2021 I had developed the confidence to design florals for local weddings - it's a lot of pressure! Recently, I completed the Floret flower arranging curriculum and have a whole new quiver of tools for sustainably designing with perishable blooms.
I'm constantly learning from the community of world class flower farmers, florists and sustainable growers in the Sea to Sky region.
In deep winter, I frantically learn more about website design, e-commerce and my nemesis accounting. All the while my fingers are itching to get back into the dirt.
The HappiLife Farm focus is growing specialty cut flowers, but we grow veggies for our family and the farm stand as well. We proudly partner with our neighbours (and gurus) to offer RootDown Organics produce and Helmers Organic potatoes. Farm stand customers rave about our neighbours amazing local products: Pemberton Valley Coffee, Auberge du Pre culinary salts and Jams, and Tree Sap Farm eggs.
At the farm I can mix the best skills of my past as a professional freestyle skier and a television producer. I love working hard outdoors to conjure up a kaleidoscope of colour. Our friends and families keep this little dream going with their generous and much needed help!
In truth the dream is sometimes a nightmare here. Each summer we face threats of fire and choking smoke, extreme heat and drought, and rivers potentially overflowing aging dyke systems. Ironically sometimes we get fire and flood alerts at the same time! The rocketing cost of land, insurance, equipment and labour make it challenging to be profitable on farming margins. Ever-changing policies on building codes deeply impact the feasibility of agritourism. It's an extensive of list of challenges that Pemberton farmers doggedly face day to day.
Our commitment is to grow sustainably, and in small ways support local farmers and producers. Each day brings extraordinary beauty, new challenges, and a stronger connection to our community. We love meeting people from all over the world at the farm stand and sharing this awe inspiring landscape.
See you at the farm. Meredith
Sustainably grown flowers
delivered in 'upcycled' vases
Local wild flowers, herbs and foraged greens find their way into HappiLife's unique seasonal arrangements. I use recycled glass vases and am committed to eliminating single use plastics and containers.
We have made it through three 'spray-free' years, without applying even organically approved pesticides. Our flowers thrive on fresh water and good soil. We rely on birds, natural predators and healthy plants to keep the bugs in check.
By mid-morning the flower field is vibrating with bees who then fall asleep nestled in the petals by noon. In the evening the dragonflies hold court.
Our customers always comment how long Happilife flowers last; that's the advantage of being "grown not flown."