farm , as well as shrubbery and other textural elements , in her designs . Her bouquets are also available for purchase in the farmstand .
As summer goes on , the farm has pick-your-own sunflowers and a Sunflower Festival , as well as Blooms and Brews , a night event at sunset in the sunflower field with drinks and live music .
On Sept . 7 , the farm ’ s grass-fed beef — which is available via online order — is on display at the Burger Bash . Autumn ushers in Fall Fest , which includes vendors , hayrides , pumpkin picking and Christmas tree tagging during weekends in October . Christmas tree pickup falls after Thanksgiving and continues through mid-December . In January , Flynn and his team take a deep breath before starting again .
It ’ s a ton of work , Flynn says , but agritourism is critical to the farm ’ s success . School-age kids visit on field trips , and the farm hosts weddings in between its own schedule of events . He also gets a sense of satisfaction out of seeing visitors explore the land that he ’ s admired since he was a small child .
“ My favorite part is providing resources for the area — for helping to really build a sense of community ,” he says .
On the rare quiet evening , Flynn takes out his horse and gallops his property and nearby Chase Farm , reacquainting with a place that will always be familiar yet remains awe-inspiring in its beauty .
“ When I have the time , I also like to sit back and watch the livestock interact out in the fields ,” he says , a source of calm that reminds him of trips to the horse farms with his dad , way back when . Then reality sets in , and he remembers all the work he must do before the day ends . “ It ’ s hard to learn not to do that ,” he says with a laugh . And , before he knows it , the next day begins . 🆁
THIS SPREAD , CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE , TOP : Flynn , who has trained dogs most of his life , teaches everything involving obedience training at the farm ; original Chase and Butterfly farms signage and objects ; Ginger the donkey protects the sheep from predators , such as coyotes ; farm-fresh vegetables and eggs from the farm ; horses greet visitors ; growing plants in and around the greenhouses .
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l SEPTEMBER 2024 67