Meet the Members: Kari & Tim Desmarais of Feral Flowers Farm

Kari and Tim Desmarais are the founders of Feral Flowers, a growing flower farm in Lincoln County focused on cultivating specialty blooms while embracing sustainability, creativity, and community connection.

Originally from Florida, Kari and Tim moved to Tennessee looking for a different pace of life and a way to build something meaningful on their land. Although neither came from an agricultural background, they were inspired by the beauty of the area and the idea of creating something that could bring more beauty into the lives of others. That vision became Feral Flowers.

What began as an experiment has quickly grown into a carefully planned flower farming operation. This season, they are focusing heavily on dahlias, with more than 100 dahlia seedlings currently being cultivated. Alongside those blooms, they are also growing zinnias, snapdragons, sunflowers, and other specialty flowers. Their goal is not only to provide locally grown flowers, but also to discover which varieties thrive best in Tennessee’s unique climate and soil conditions.

The process behind flower farming is far more detailed than many people realize. Kari explained that much of the work begins months before anything blooms. Seeds and tubers are often purchased the previous fall, while planning, mapping, and seed starting begin as early as January. The farm currently uses indoor growing spaces filled with seedlings waiting to be transplanted outdoors once temperatures are safe.

In addition to growing flowers, Feral Flowers is committed to supporting the environment around them. Kari and Tim prioritize natural growing practices whenever possible, including natural pest management methods and pollinator-friendly gardening. They maintain bee hives on the property and are actively working to help support local bee populations. The farm has also incorporated wildlife-friendly practices and sustainable gardening methods to create a healthier ecosystem overall.

For Kari and Tim, Feral Flowers is about more than flowers alone. It is about creating something rooted in intention, beauty, and community. Their hope is to contribute positively to the area while encouraging people to shop locally and connect with the land around them.

The couple joined Fayetteville Main Street as a way to become more involved in the local community and support other small businesses. As newcomers to the area, they saw Main Street as an opportunity to build relationships and contribute to the continued growth of downtown and Lincoln County as a whole.

Feral Flowers plans to begin participating in local markets and pop-up opportunities later this summer, with hopes of debuting their blooms at the July 4th Farmers Market. As the farm continues to grow, Kari and Tim are excited to share their flowers—and their passion for sustainable, local agriculture—with the community.