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OUR STORY - Going Back to Roots

Michelle Elston, founder and owner, has loved plants and flowers for as long as she can remember. After studying plant science at Cornell University, she and her husband, Mike, moved to Massachusetts. There, they bought a garden center and stayed for 9 years. But after the birth of their first child, they realized that the best place to raise their kids was close to family roots.

Michelle's young son standing in row of soil
Michelle's young daughter standing in flowers with green hat

So, they sold the garden center and moved back to Michelle's hometown of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Time and space soon opened up for her to pursue her dream of farming. What started as a small garden has evolved into a 10-acre farm that produces enough flowers for more than 25,000 supermarket Bouquets, 450 wholesale/Party Buckets and numerous corporate events annually. Now, 16 years later, she realizes she never imagined her seed of an idea would turn into such a thriving small business.
 

Mike and Michelle in field smiling
Michelle smiling with mountain of bouquets on cart

I've always pictured myself as a flower farmer. It's this vision of a life of simplicity, hard work and natural beauty that propels me. I love showing people how amazing creation is. I hope that I can inspire you to see some of the good, alive and beautiful in our world."

Michelle Elston, Owner & Farmer

Even with such growth, Michelle's flower philosophy has remained a simple one: to celebrate the natural beauty of every season in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Flowers are grown sustainably and selected based on their ability to thrive in the region. All of Roots bouquets and buckets are created using only what is grown on the farm. Rather than trendy, the results are timeless designs that are fresh, lush and unique.

 

Michelle is grateful every single day to be doing what she loves the most. Her business is called Roots for two reasons...because it all started from coming home to her family roots and because she believes that strong roots grow strong flowers. She currently lives on the farm with Mike and their two kids, Jake and Lucy.

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In addition to managing people and plants, Michelle also offers consulting and tours to share knowledge with other farmers and currently serves as treasurer of the ASCFG.

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