Blossoming Businesses: Ranch Cat Lavender, Elm Creek Flower Farm, Thomas Family Farm Bring Fragrant Delights to Hopkins County

Hopkins County is known for many agricultural products– but you may not know that our area is becoming a thriving mecca to flower farms! Ranch Cat Lavender in Como and Elm Creek Flower Farm in Sulphur Springs have captivated the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Read more about these two local ladies’ passion for cultivating beauty and spreading joy through their floral offerings.

Ranch Cat Lavender

Lavender, a versatile herb, has long been cherished for its calming properties and delightful aroma. For Ranch Cat’s founder Allie Seaton, the love affair with this fragrant plant began three years ago when she moved from McKinney to a 260-acre cattle ranch in Como. 

While Seaton had always grown plants on her patio in the suburbs, the well-draining soil and wide open space of Hopkins County provided the perfect opportunity for her to plant one of her favorite herbs. During her first year here, Allie and her husband planted ten lavender plants and she found herself marrying two of her interests– farming and clean living. 

“I wanted to start living a more natural lifestyle, and I was shocked to see there were ingredients in my products that I had no idea what they were,” Seaton said. “We had a great lavender bloom and I thought I could start making products that were more natural.” 

Lavender is an obvious choice for those who embrace plant-based remedies. Seaton detailed the plant’s many medicinal properties, such as being calming and anti-inflammatory. What’s more, this native mediterranean herb thrives in poor soil and under drought conditions. 

“With the Texas heat and drought, they’ll still survive,” she mentioned. “The sandy loam soil here is well-draining and it’s absolutely perfect.” 

Seaton’s practice of using recycled water, cow manure to fertilize, and centering the fields as a pollinator haven align with her vision for more natural skincare. 

Unfortunately, her first ten plants didn’t survive last winter’s deep freeze– but Seaton was more determined than ever and this spring she put in 50 new plants. She cultivates three varieties: French (culinary and fragrant), English (fragrant), and Dutch (fragrant). While it takes three to five years to see their full bloom potential, the wait will be worth it, as the flowers offer a magnificent sight to behold.

Always seeking to diversify her offerings, Seaton plans to expand into “manly” scents such as sandalwood and tobacco. She recently crafted a hand scrub with lemon and lavender for her cattle ranching husband. She also participates in various farmers markets, including the Winnsboro Art & Wine Festival, and hopes to sell her creations on online platforms like Etsy.

In the near future, Seaton and her husband are preparing two acres to fill with lavender. At the heart of Ranch Cat Lavender is Spooky, the one-eyed Maine Coon cat who serves as the company’s mascot. Spooky, who thoroughly enjoys field trips to the lavender garden, symbolizes the charm and spirit of Seaton’s business.

Ranch Cat Lavender soaps, scents, body scrubs and dried bouquets can be found at Beauty Grace Wellness Shop in downtown Sulphur Springs and Finders Keepers in downtown Winnsboro or follow on Instagram by searching Ranch Cat Lavender. 

Elm Creek Flower Farm

Flowers have always held a special place in Amanda Wilson’s heart. With a brother who studied botany in college, Wilson developed a deep love for plants and found herself tagging along on his field trips. Although she excelled in chemistry, her passion for flowers persisted, leading her to create Elm Creek Flower Farm’s cut flower gardens. Originally hailing from California, Wilson relocated to Sulphur Springs a year ago and embarked on a floral journey that has since captivated the local community.

“We try to offer a unique selection of flowers that you wouldn’t typically find in a florist shop,” Wilson remarked. 

Some of her offerings include ranunculus and daffodils in the spring, and in the summer there are zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, celosia, amaranth, phlox, and ornamental grasses. 

The farm is open to the public during the week. With two distinct options available, customers can choose from pre-made bouquets or partake in the delightful experience of u-pick flowers, where they can personally select and cut their favorite blossoms.

Pre-made bouquet prices range from $12 to $40, catering to various budgets. Visitors can take advantage of the self-serve honor system from Wednesday to Sunday, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wilson also offers custom arrangements and encourages customers to reach out for their special floral needs. Additionally, the farm is available for rent, making it an idyllic backdrop for photoshoots and special occasions.

Looking ahead, Wilson plans to expand Elm Creek’s “u-pick” events in September, offering evening and Saturday hours. These events will feature live music, food vendors, lawn games, and the opportunity to relax, pick flowers, and enjoy a picnic with loved ones. The farm will also continue to host yoga sessions in the fall with Sulphur Springs’ One Soul Yoga, accompanied by complimentary wine and champagne. 

Wilson also has more than an acre of pumpkins growing for a fall season pumpkin patch, and will convert the farm’s old drip shed into a fall market with decorative corn, fall squash, and other autumn products. 

Elm Creek Flower Farm is located at 2584 County Road 1171 and is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. For more information and events, follow Elm Creek Flower Farm on Facebook and Instagram or drive out to CR 1171 and look for the big dairy barn. 

Thomas Family Farm

The Thomas Family Farm, led by Tim and Emily Thomas, took on the challenge of cultivating flowers alongside their vegetable garden in Klondike, Texas. The venture has not only brought joy to their family but has also allowed them to form connections with people who appreciate the beauty of nature and support local businesses.

Their flower delivery service has gained popularity, serving two major locations – Mugs in Commerce and Tolleson Market in Sulphur Springs. The Paris grocery also enjoys their fresh and vibrant blooms. Delivering twice a week ensures customers can enjoy a constant supply of freshly stocked flowers, and they even welcome special requests to cater to individual preferences.

Additionally, the Thomas Family Farm offers a flower subscription service, allowing customers to enjoy seasonal flowers throughout the year. While the farm itself is not open to the public, the subscription service helps them connect with flower enthusiasts and share their love for the land and all things green.

One unique aspect of the Thomas Family Farm is its focus on specialty cut flowers, including ranunculus in spring and sunflowers in fall, presented in a mixed market-style. They offer a wide variety of annuals. Some of their favorites include lilies and lisianthus.

The Thomas family emphasize their connection to the land the Creator as they experience pure joy of watching seeds grow into vibrant blooms. The family collectively participates in tending to the farm, from weeding and mulching to harvesting. Their oldest daughter has taken an active interest in arranging flowers, and husband Tim gets plenty of time to help out as he is a school teacher on summer break. 

The Thomas family’s deep appreciation for their land, especially the ancient oak trees, resonates with their values of stewardship and gratitude. They consider it a privilege to support the local community and play a part in the buying local movement.

“It feels magical watching a seed germinate and then, in just three months, seeing it burst into a beautiful bouquet of flowers,” Emily said. “I’ll never tire of growing from seed.”

As the Thomas Family Farm continues to grow and expand their subscription service, they aim to share their love for nature, family, and faith with more people in the community.

By Taylor Nye. Photos by Maci Swafford and courtesy Allie Seaton and Tolleson Family Market