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At Sacred Hollow Flower Farm in Lowell, Arkansas, guests belong among the wildflowers.
The location of the U-pick flower farm represents a segue from city traffic to the rural area of southeast Benton County near the woods and waters of Beaver Lake. A turn off the highway and a drive through the gate result in an unexpected meadow of whimsical color: a setting that invites, if even for a little while, a bit of tranquility.
That’s just what owners Caleb Schoeppe and Sydney Sloan hope for guests who arrive at their flower farm, now in its second season of operation. They invite everyone to come and choose wildflowers in different shapes and sizes for an organic experience culminating in an arrangement that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
Depending on the month and weather, from mid-spring through the first frost in the fall, visitors can expect to be welcomed by rows of robust yellow sunflowers, bright coreopsis and pale pink zinnias. Dreamy gladiolus add highlights with multiple blossoms on each stem, and crowds of milkweed show off clusters of color. Right now, as summer bows out for fall, the false dragonheads add a deep shade of lavender to the field, often with bees tucked inside their blooms.
Those are just a few of the blossoms available during the open season on the roughly three acres of wildflowers at Sacred Hollow.
But the farm is about more than selling flowers.
The idea is that a person’s experience includes the joy of seeing all the flowers growing in their natural environment: cared for yet a little untamed. Sloan says they believe customers will find something meaningful in selecting local flowers, for themselves or as a gift, rather than purchasing a bouquet identical to many others on display.
“We want this to be like a scavenger hunt. We hope the farm encourages people to be in the moment as they find colors and flowers for their perfect bouquet.”
An Unexpected Business
When the couple purchased the property across the highway from Vanzant Fruit Farms, they weren’t expecting to become wildflower farmers. Schoeppe worked in corporate leadership, and Sloan spent 20 years in her career as a hairdresser before the pandemic sent people home and shut down businesses. The time at home made them reevaluate their life. With interest and education in holistic healing and nature, neither wants to go back to the same kind of pace as before.
“Sacred Hollow Flower Farm is definitely a birthchild from quarantine,” Schoeppe says.
Putting to good use the sunlight and peaceful surroundings on their property, and after a brief and unsuccessful attempt to grow vegetables, they looked into what it would take to start a wildflower farm.
They found it took a good deal of patience, perseverance and ability to adapt.
The two have nurtured the farm through drought, excessive heat, and at times, continuous rain. Just when they think they’ve gotten rid of the weeds, the invasive plants return. Committed to remaining all-organic, they use sacrificial plants to help deter pests rather than chemical sprays and pesticides. Many of the wildflower species they grow attract swallowtail and monarch butterflies, benefiting the farm’s natural habitat and overall experience for customers. To accommodate guests on some of the summer’s hottest days, they extend hours later into the evening.
The reward has been a life with a simpler pace, a sense of community, and a farm that supports their commitment to biodiversity. A glance through their Instagram feed is as much a symbol of gratitude to their repeat customers and support for native species as it is a stunning showcase of the flowers they grow and the homemade products they sell.
Fully Local: Homemade Products, Event Venue, Photography Location
Flowers aren’t the only thing you’ll find at Sacred Hollow. Sloan and Schoeppe also grow herbs, keep beehives to produce local honey and sell seeds. They offer homemade goods, including jewelry, tea blends and art. And they have made the outdoor space available as an outdoor event venue: hosting musicians and weddings and renting out areas of the farm for photography sessions. In addition to preparing for events and photo sessions, the couple is happy to create floral bouquets for customers and has handled flower arrangements for weddings.
Keen about the values of Community Supported Agriculture, they offer memberships that include monthly U-pick bouquets, a glass vase and discounts on the products and special events.
Nothing at Sacred Hollow Flower Farm is outsourced. The services and products here are a result of the two-person operation, right down to the shop building that houses their creations, the care they take to prepare seeds for the next season, and their services. This allows them to give personal attention to their customers.
Sloan and Schoeppe agree they are still learning what it means to live with nature’s whims. There’s no firm closing date yet for the season: That will depend on when the first frost hits, possibly the end of October or the beginning of November. But they’re already excited about flowers for next year and the people a new season will bring.
“Our farm crosses genders and generations. We believe this is a place for everyone.”
Sacred Hollow Flower Farm Details
Location
3830 E Highway 264
Lowell, Arkansas
Season open and close dates
Late May through the first frost
Hours
Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
website: sacredhollowfarm.com
phone/text: 479-426-4045
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