Monarch Butterflies Love Our Farm

Do you remember the hairy balls we planted and were so delighted by earlier this year? Of course you do, with a name like that, how could you forget? Hairy balls are a type of milkweed, so this year they attracted loads of Monarch butterflies! These orange and black beauties make an annual migration covering thousands of miles and this year they stopped off on our farm!

We caught sight of several huge caterpillars on our plants and many of the orange and black beauties flitting from flower to flower this season. Then we accidentally harvested a gomphrena with a chrysalis attached to one of the leaves! Thankfully Sophia recognized it and jumped into action to save the butterfly from getting composted. She set up a habitat using some wedding install mechanics and a laundry bag, wiring the leaf to a branch in the enclosure. After 10 days of watching the chrysalis slowing change, the butterfly emerged unharmed and was promptly named “Geraldine”. Once she was ready, Sophia and Libby (and Huey the dog, of course) released Geraldine back on the farm to begin the journey south. If you follow us on instagram you can see the video there. I think it’s such a beautiful moment, and it’s brought to you by local flowers!

Our farm is in Henderson County nestled among the apple orchards and it’s so awesome to think that not only are we growing local flowers for you all to enjoy, and creating year-round farming jobs, we’re also attracting loads of pollinators to help grow local food for our community. Supporting local really is so worth it!