Mother, wife, and dental hygienist Jessie Ruml was searching for a change in her life.
“After a decade in the dental industry, I needed a change, so I resigned my position and convinced my husband, Philip, to let me stay home for the summer with our four daughters,” explained Jessie.
Summertime traditions of planting a vegetable garden grew into a flower garden, and Jessie says it was her oldest daughter, Ava, who convinced her to venture more into flowers.
“Ava always wanted to participate in farmers’ markets, so we went to our first one at The Lucky Day Sale in Lake Norden and sold our first bouquets,” reminisced Jessie.
When her husband noticed Jessie’s green thumb and glee from her work a few months later, she knew from that point on that she had to make it a part of her life.
“MY INTEREST IN FLOWERS CAME FROM SHARING THAT BOUQUET WITH SOMEONE & WATCHING THEIR FACE. IT’S MAGICAL TO SHARE THAT JOY.” -Jessie Ruml
While scrolling through social media, a post of a flower bed filled with ombre-colored dahlias caught Jessie’s eye.
“The hair on the back of my neck stood up,” she admitted. “I clicked into it and discovered a flower farmer in Washington who taught flower farming classes online and I knew this is what I needed to do.”
In 2018, Jessie took a leap with her newfound education in flower farming and brought forth Pixie Acres Flower Farm.
The Castlewood-based farm transports visitors into a kaleidoscope of colors and fragrances throughout the fall season.
“Our mission is to spread joy through our South Dakota-grown flowers,” shared Jessie. “We only use what we grow on the farm, and while that can limit us at times, I believe it makes it all the more special.”
Marvelous Merchandise
Pixie Acres Flower Farm sells branded merchandise on-site & online. Here’s what’s available:
+ Big Poppy T-shirt
+ Gift Certificates
+ Pixie Acres Sweatshirt
+ Pixie Acres T-shirt
+ Tea Towel
+ Wine Tumbler
Over five years, the family-owned farm has bloomed into a floral haven, with 60 different varieties of flowers.
“Our main hits are tulips, ranunculus, dahlias, and lisianthus,” said Jessie. “Those are the big focal flowers that draw everyone in.”
Pixie Acres is open for events only. The family hosts On-Farm Workshops, which offer an intimate setting for up to 12 people in the Pixie Acres Studio.
“We give you a tour of the farm, offer wine, and other refreshments with light snacks, and after our venture on the farm, we enter our studio for a floral design class where I walk guests through how to build a floral arrangement,” explained Jessie.
“Whatever they can dream up, we can bring to life,” enthused Jessie.
The A La Carte package is suitable for couples fascinated by garden fresh designs, but doesn’t require on-site setup or large arrangements.
“If brides are just needing bouquets, bridesmaid bouquets, or boutoniéres, this package is perfect for them,” stated Jessie.
Mark Your Calendars
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR NEXT SEPTEMBER TO ATTEND PIXIE ACRES FLOWER FARM’S ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE FALL SEASON WITH FLOWERS, PUMPKINS, WREATHS, PHOTO OPS, FOOD VENDORS, LIVE MUSIC, AND U-PICK FLOWERS.
For those looking to create their own bouquets, but want to incorporate seasonal and sustainably grown flowers, consider the Pixie Acres Bulk Blooms package.
Bulk buckets of fresh-cut flowers and foliage are available for customers to pick up and let their creativity flow.
“We make all of our flowers in our studio, travel, and then deliver them to ceremonies or receptions and work on installations there,” said Jessie.
She continued, “We’re just like a florist. Whenever you need a bouquet or an arrangement, you can call us and order and we’ll have it ready for pickup or delivery.”
“WHEN WE FIRST STARTED, IT WAS LIKE WE WERE RUNNING ON A TREADMILL AND WE COULDN’T RUN FAST ENOUGH. WE KNEW THAT AFTER OUR FIRST MINI-SEASON,
IT WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITIES AROUND HERE TO HAVE FRESH FLOWERS.” -Jessie Ruml
FUN FACT
PIXIE ACRES FLOWER FARM IS A MEMBER OF VISIT WATERTOWN. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT VISITWATERTOWNSD.COM.
Subscription Flowers are also available for purchase. Customers can purchase subscriptions to receive fresh flowers each month, beginning in December for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions.
“We offer free pick up on our farm and at Backroad’s Coffeehouse & Lunchboxx in Watertown,” shared Jessie. Native flowers are also for sale each Tuesday at the local coffeehouse.
Jessie shared that she makes a monthly route of deliveries to Brookings, Howard, Sioux Falls, and Watertown.
The florist also travels to the Brookings and Watertown Farmer’s Market to sell her various-sized hand-wrapped bouquets.
With their passion and dedication to their craft, the Ruml family has created a natural oasis for their community throughout northeast South Dakota.
“My favorite part of running the farm has been being able to see the joy that fresh flowers can bring to people,” mused Jessie. “There’s something different about a bouquet of flowers that are extremely aromatic and fragrant, and it brings a euphoric feeling.”
