Our Family
My name is Chelsea Belle and I am a joyful and hopeful farmer. I have over fifteen years of experience tending to vegetables, flowers, animals, and temperamental farm machinery.
I sought to learn both the art and science of growing, taking the time to work for some talented growers on several diverse vegetable and flower farms in southwestern Virginia, the northeast, and abroad in New Zealand. While farming in southwestern Virginia I earned a Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech with concentrations in Horticulture and Civic Agriculture and Food Systems.
After years of studying and farming other soils and exploring mountains and rivers, I returned to my homeplace in Bluemont, Loudoun County, Virginia in 2014 to fulfill the dream of having my own flower farm. With access to a lease on the land that I was raised on, the seed of Bee’s Wing Farm was sown.
Later that same year, while farming part-time for another grower in the area I met Chris Griffin, a wandering musician with agrarian fantasies who had just returned home from some European travels. After planting across the row from each other for a couple of months we decided that we wanted to spend time together beyond planting and weeding. Many hikes, shows, and river swims later we are still planting across the row from each other.
Chris brings his steady tempo, deep patience, and mechanical mind to keep the irrigation system running, the tractor engines turning over, and our rickety farm buildings in working order. Chris has a degree in double bass jazz performance and is a bluegrass/old-time player and homebrewer.
In June 2020 we added a little boy named Wendell to our family and farm. Wendell has a lifetime of farm experience. He brings his sweet zeal to the farm in his delight of the outdoors, tractors, dogs, and blueberries. He loves driving tractors, making tractor noises, smelling flowers, pulling freshly planted plants out of the ground, calling for the dogs, and hand watering plants or really anything within range of his water wand.
We in partnership, are thankful to be keeping a small piece of Clarke County open, and caring soulfully for its soil, waters, and the creatures both two and four-legged that share this place with us. We are truly grateful to have the opportunity to spend so much time together doing something we believe is bigger than ourselves-putting beauty back into the world and to be received so generously by our community.
** In December of 2022 we purchased twenty-eight acres in White Post, VA. Over the course of 2023, we will be moving our farm and family to White Post. We will miss our homeplace of Loudoun County but high taxes and steep land prices made our staying impossible. We will miss Bluemont but our flowers will still make their way over the mountain to be enjoyed by our Loudoun Community.
Employment
We are primarily looking for someone to be involved with the farming aspect of the business which includes:
- Planting
- Weeding
- Harvesting
- working at the farmer’s market
An interest in and willingness to design and arrange flowers is necessary. Our ideal candidate is hardworking and lighthearted, flexible and dependable, kind and thoughtful, resourceful and creative, strong, and able to work independently. Our farm business provides a livelihood for our family and staff, which we take seriously. This is a growing business, and we get to wear many hats.
All our positions require the following:
- Positive attitude
- Responsible and reliable
- Teachable
- Committed
- Good communication skills
- Adaptable and flexible with necessary plan changes due to weather, market, crew dynamics, etc
- Excellent physical fitness, range of motion, and stamina
- Physical strength to lift 40 lbs without injury to yourself
- Can maintain your own physical and mental health
- Awareness for safety of self and others
- Can work fast to set a standard for others
- Can keep busy and not be distracted by cell phone
- Has reliable transportation to arrive on time every day
- Comfortable working around children (our own and those that visit)
- Comfortable working around our large farm dogs (no other dogs permitted on the farm ever)
- Note- we do not allow the use of earbuds during work
Job Title: Flower Farm Crew Member
Location: White Post, VA
Position Type: Full-Time & Part-Time Available
Season: April 7th – December 1st
Hours: 40 hours/week (Full-Time) 8:00-4:30 or Flexible Hours (Part-Time)
Overview:
We are seeking dedicated, hard-working Flower Farm Crew Members to join our team for the upcoming growing season. As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for a variety of tasks related to the cultivation, harvest, and preparation of flowers for sale. This is a physically demanding position that requires stamina, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic. If you love working outdoors and contributing to the life cycle of flowers from farm to market, this is an excellent opportunity to be a part of our growing flower farm.
Key Responsibilities:
Flower Farm Crew Members will work in small teams and be involved in all stages of flower production. Tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Harvesting: Collecting flowers at peak quality, ensuring they are handled carefully to avoid damage.
- Bunching
- Organizing Orders: Organizing flower orders for customers and ensuring correct fulfillment.
- Weeding
- Transplanting
- Bouquet Making: Creating fresh, beautiful bouquets that are ready for sale at local markets or direct-to-consumer orders.
- General Farm Tasks: Various tasks that may include cleaning tools, maintaining farm infrastructure, caring for crops, watering, and managing farm inventory.
- Time Tracking & Benchmarking: Assisting the team in establishing goals, tracking time for tasks, and recording progress to ensure efficiency and consistency.
Qualifications:
- Physical Stamina: This is a physically demanding job that requires standing, bending, lifting, and walking in outdoor conditions.
- Attention to Detail: A focus on quality is important, as the flowers we grow and sell must meet high standards.
- Team Player: The ability to work effectively as part of a small, close-knit team is critical.
- Positive Attitude: A willingness to work hard and maintain a positive attitude, especially during long or repetitive tasks in challenging weather.
- Experience (Preferred but not required): Prior farm or flower experience is a plus, but not necessary—on-the-job training will be provided.
- Commitment: Full-time employees must be available to work throughout the growing season (April 7th – December 1st). Part-time hours are flexible but must align with the farm’s seasonal work demands.
Compensation:
$17-$20/hour
Competitive hourly wage based on experience. Full-time crew members will work 40 hours/week, with potential for overtime during busy harvest periods.
Additional Benefits:
- Learn hands-on farming skills and techniques.
- Opportunity to work in a beautiful outdoor environment.
- Discounts on farm products and flowers.
- Supportive, team-oriented environment.
How to Apply:
Please fill out an application here, specifying the specific position you are interested in. If you are applying for multiple positions fill out a seperate application for each one.
We do background checks
Have three work references upon request.
Please send your resume and a brief cover letter explaining why you would be a great fit for this position to [email address].
Farmers' Market Salesperson
Job Title: Farmers' Market Salesperson (Flowers)
Location: Washington, DC
Schedule: Sundays, 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Job Overview:
We are seeking a friendly, reliable, and hardworking individual to join our team as a Farmers' Market Salesperson. This role involves driving a large cargo van, setting up a visually pleasing flower stand, and providing excellent customer service at our weekly Sunday farmers' market in Washington, DC. A passion for flowers and creating a welcoming atmosphere is essential. Flower knowledge is a plus, but not required—training will be provided. The ideal candidate will be personable, detail-oriented, and comfortable working outdoors.
Key Responsibilities:
- Driving and Transportation: Safely drive a large cargo van to and from the farmers' market, ensuring the flowers and equipment are securely transported.
- Loading & Unloading: Efficiently load and unload flowers, and other market materials in preparation for market set-up.
- Market Set-Up: Set up a visually appealing flower stand, including arranging flowers in an attractive and organized display. Ensure the space is clean, welcoming, and easy for customers to navigate.
- Customer Service: Greet customers with a positive, kind attitude and help them select flowers or answer any questions they may have. Provide suggestions based on their needs and preferences, fostering a friendly, community-oriented atmosphere.
- Sales: Handle transactions with a focus on customer satisfaction and accuracy. Maintain a neat, well-stocked, and organized sales area.
- Market Breakdown: At the end of the market, efficiently pack up remaining flowers, equipment, and materials, and drive the van back to the base location.
Qualifications:
- Driving Experience: Comfortable driving a large cargo van (previous experience preferred but not required).
- Physical Stamina: Ability to lift and carry heavy buckets of flowers and equipment (up to 40 lbs).
- Customer-Focused: Friendly, approachable, and able to connect with people of all backgrounds.
- Attention to Detail: Take pride in the presentation of the flower stand and the quality of customer service. Be willing to help keep records of market sales.
- Flower Knowledge (Preferred): Familiarity with different types of flowers, plants, and arrangements is a plus but not required.
- Dependability: Punctual, reliable, and able to work independently while representing the brand at the market.
Compensation: $225/market
If you are someone who enjoys working with flowers, loves engaging with customers, and thrives in an outdoor environment, we’d love to hear from you.
“…the care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy and after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope.”
– Wendell Berry
