https://youtu.be/6rVEl8GW2ik

Today you will hear my interview with Daniele Strawn of JoLee Blooms & Design. In addition to our Q&A conversation, you are in for a treat, because Daniele shared two video tours that you'll see in the YouTube video above. The video episode begins with a field and studio tour, recorded by Emma Wood and Daniele; that's followed by my interview with Daniele, and we wrap up with a design demonstration that she filmed in her studio. Together these segments will give you a full picture of JoLee Blooms.

Armloads of JoLee Blooms-grown focal flowers, with Daniele Strawn (left) and Emma Wood (right)

Daniele is a long-time Slow Flowers Member who is a past guest of the Slow Flowers Podcast. We spent several days together in the spring of 2016 when Daniele organized a Slow Flowers in California's North Bay area. Daniele was my guide to tour flower farms, visit design studios and learn more about the stories of the emerging community for local flowers.

A signature seasonal arrangement by JoLee Blooms.

She had a few cameo appearances during the four-part series I recorded on that tour, but this episode is devoted entirely to Daniele's story and JoLee Blooms.

Left: Daniele Strawn; right: a rainbow of field-grown stock, one of JoLee Blooms & Design's favorite crops

I'm so excited to share my conversation with Daniele, as we discuss some of the infrastructure issues and operational decisions she's making for JoLee Blooms, now wrapping up its sixth season. Daniele has been growing and designing in Sonoma County California even longer than that, so she has much wisdom to impart with her straight-talk.

The autumn arrangement, designed on camera for our Slow Flowers Show

About Daniele:

Here's more about Daniele Strawn, adapted from her website's "About" page:

"With all my love, commitment, and joy, I am so proud to bring you JoLee Blooms & Design - a boutique flower farm and sustainable floral design studio located in the sunny hills of West Sonoma County."From my first memories playing in the evergreens & waterfalls of the Olympic Peninsula, to weeklong backpacking adventures along California's golden coast - I have always had a deep appreciation for the great outdoors and the many splendors of our natural world."With an eclectic background in Event & Project Coordination, Interior Design & Architecture, Business Administration and Outdoor & Elementary Education, plus a lifelong love of gardening that started in my grandfathers' gardens, I began honing my farming & floristry skills in 2013 at a flower farm and floral studio in Petaluma, California."Daniele Strawn, JoLee Blooms & Design

Left, Daniele Strawn; Right, Jeremy Strawn, of JoLee Blooms & Design

About JoLee Blooms & Designs

“Naming my business JoLee is my way of paying homage to both of my grandfathers, Joe (maternal) and Lee (paternal). Both men were raised on farms during the great depression, were avid gardeners in their later years and both taught me (and all of their grandkids who were willing and interested) what it means to have a green thumb and enjoy hard work outdoors.It seemed fitting that their names combined sound so feminine and French (Jolie is the French word for “pretty one”) as I am the only one in my family, of French descent, to be pursuing a life in agriculture and I happen to be growing nature’s pretty ones - flowers!And my passion and love for using the flowers we’ve grown here on our small farm and then turning them into unique floral creations for your special day is an added touch of femininity & beauty that I am proud to add to my family’s agricultural legacy.”

JoLee Blooms' growing fields

A simple street map of Bloomfield, California, with X's to indicate the close proximity between Daniele and Jeremy's home, the studio, and 2 growing areas.

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