STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 9
ThriveFlower Farm began simply as an idea in 2019.
Now owners Bobby and Sara Alsup use their 1-acre flower farm to fill flower stands at places like Aspen Coffee Company in Fountain Square or to provide flowers for end-of-year banquets at Oklahoma State University or nonprofits across town.
Sara Alsup, who grew up on a farm in western Oklahoma, said her family had always grown a big garden and canned vegetables like tomatoes and squash – and that didn’ t stop when she married and began raising four kids.
“ I’ m a fourth-generation farmer,” Sara said.“ I like to be outside, I like to get sweaty and dirty and grow things. I like to watch the weather, and I like to see God work.”
But Thrive Flower Farm isn’ t only about providing flowers for events or flower stands – it’ s rooted in a deeper cause.
In 2012, the Alsups began the adoption process to adopt a Congolese boy named Mosi, bringing him home in 2015.
Sadiki, a translator for the United Nations in the Congo / Uganda / Rawandan area, helped the Alsups bring Mosi home. Sadiki, an orphan himself, and his wife, Dorcas, now closely work with the Alsups to operate an orphanage in Goma, Congo in Central Africa, which they opened in 2016.
The family wanted to find another way to support the orphanage, and Sara remembers Googling“ flower farms” in the winter of 2020.
“‘ Is this a thing?’” Sara said, as she searched online.“‘ Do people have cut flower farms?’ And sure enough, they were here and there, and I knew for sure I could do that.”
Sara said the whole venture has been part of“ God’ s plan.”
“ We did not seek this out, it just kept coming( to us). We just decided to‘ do good’ where we were,” Sara said.
The Alsups made their first contribution to 12 children and then found sponsors to support them.
They didn’ t have a fancy plan, according to their“ Our Story” webpage. But they had“ faith and willing attitudes.”
They told family and friends about their mission to support the orphanage and little by little, supporters stepped up. Sara said 100 % of their proceeds from the flower farm help support the orphanage.
“ Thrive Flower Farm exists with one mission in mind – to grow and sell flowers to support our orphanage in Goma, Congo,” their website reads.“ When you buy locally grown flowers from us, know that you are providing food, school tuition, housing and care for our Congo Cuties. This is why we are believe we are‘ picking with purpose.’ We look forward to serving you so together we can serve them.”
With the help of supporters, the Alsups raised more than $ 100,000 to build a large home with the capacity to care for 50 children. With monthly sponsors, change drives and the flower farm, Change for Congo now serves 31 children.
Out at the farm, customers can order their flowers ahead of time and then pick them up at the Flower Shed through an honor system. Seasonal“ U Pick Workshop” events and Farm to Table Dinners on the farm are also available. Additionally, the Alsups added weddings and parties to their repertoire and Sara has a flower truck.
“ I just try to say‘ Yes’ to accommodate people’ s budgets,” Sara said, adding that she’ s worked with Lions Meadows of Hope and other nonprofits to“ help each other out.”
The local flower stands are available at 7 Open A Cafe during the school year( a coffee shop on the OSU campus at The Wesley Foundation), Aspen Coffee Company in Fountain Square, Roundhouse Bakery, Typo Market and Nancy’ s on Main( pizza shop) in Perkins on the weekends.
Opportunities to partner with Stillwater businesses keep coming.
“ It’ s not anything we’ re doing, and we love that it’ s a community thing,” Sara said.“ I wanted it to be a collective group, where everybody does a little bit to make a really big difference in those kids’ lives.”
The next Farm to Table event will be hosted at Thrive Flower Farm on Oct. 4, 2025. For more information, follow Thrive Flower Farm on social media.
STORY BY: JESSICA MARSHALL Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine
PHOTOS by SARA ALSUP
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 9