Fields of Grace Flower Farm: The Healing Power

There’s a secret garden, the kind from a favorite storybook, less than 30 miles north of Columbus; down a hedge-lined driveway and through a tiny opening that you may have missed, a tiny sign points you toward Fields of Grace flower farm. As you approach, you are met with beds of flowers stretching before an old farmhouse. Children scamper through freshly cut grass and perch in trees, their tiny squeals the perfect expression of joy and freedom that settles over the property like a dreamy, sparkling mist.

Dahlia tubers are strewn around tables, their twisting roots endearing in their promise of life. There is a fridge filled with cut flowers – both delicate and vibrant – waiting patiently as orders are fulfilled. A greenhouse holds the flower babies as they grow, keeping them safe until they are ready to join the rest of the farm.

Chickens peck away, a goat catches some sun, and time seems to stand still. Inside the farmhouse, every detail is carefully curated to bring joy, so that anyone who enters the space is met with beauty.

It is the dream of the founder, Brianne Womack, that the farm be a refuge and healing space for women who have endured trauma. The goal of the nonprofit is to “provide a safe retreat for hurting women to experience the healing love of Jesus Christ and to provide for the caregiver” with event programming and a retreat space in the farmhouse.

With the help of volunteers, the farmhouse itself is being turned into a space for caregivers to find sanctuary from lives that always require their undivided energy.

“It’s something that’s very important to me, that we as a community take care of our caregivers. If you feel unappreciated, you burn out – even if you have the passion,” Womack explains. “There’s a huge lack of care for our caregivers. Our caretakers are important, and I don’t see enough resources being given to them.” At Fields of Grace, the intent is to “pour back into” these caregivers “so that they continue to want to do the hard work.”

“Studies have shown even if a child is placed in multiple foster homes through the years, if they have a consistent case worker throughout the process, they have much better long-term life outcomes.”

The three bedroom house holds five beds and the refuge that the whole farm provides is intended to make caregivers feel appreciated, so in turn they may return to their lives rejuvenated. The nonprofit’s intent is to bolster the family system, so that trauma is not passed down through generations. By caring for women with any type of trauma, especially those with overlooked trauma such as infertility issues, miscarriages, loss of a spouse/child/parent, adoption, mental or medical ailments, relational strains, those with a deep lack of sense of belonging, ambiguous loss, and so much more.

“It has been very intentional for me to make sure that everything in the house is beautiful and detailed – I want them to feel like they’re worthy of beautiful and great things,” Womack explains. From an intricate ginkgo chandelier to stunning floral bedding and soaring arches, every inch of the farmhouse is elegantly captivating, with just the perfect touch of whimsy.

Womack is in the process of creating partnerships with local businesses to assist in this endeavor both financially and with the services that they offer through local restaurants and organizations. By stocking the fridge with the caregiver’s favorite snacks and food so that every need will be cared for while they are in residence. “There will be intentional reading material available in the farmhouse,” Womack continues, “and eventually I hope to have a counselor available on site.”

The farm’s ethos is based in faith, the true Christian practice of giving back. “I was saved later in life,” explains Womack, “I didn’t grow up in the church. Personally, I know the difference it makes having a personal relationship with Jesus. I can run to him for comfort, and it’s a never-failing relationship.”

She believes this healing presence can primarily be found outside in nature. “I grew up in a difficult environment, and for me, nature was my escape,” she says. “It’s where I found belonging and peace no matter what. It can be found in the intricate detail of each flower – a representation of how God created each of us to be so different, but so unbelievably beautiful.”

Other programs offered at the Fields of Grace include You Pick events on Wednesdays and Saturdays “for people to come and enjoy the flowers and the farm,” says Womack. They also offer workshops to teach about different blooms and their cultivation. Their most recent workshop focused on Dahlias. “There are so many ways you can grow them!” Womack exclaims excitedly.

“They have a very weird root system called tubers, but they grow into the most beautiful thing in your garden,” she explains. With the tubers, the colors of the flowers are always dependable – they can only turn out one way, but if “you grow them from seed, you don’t know how they’ll turn out – it’s a wonderful surprise!”

Fields of Grace strives to be a place where the entire family can step away from the hustle and bustle of city life and find something engaging to experience and edifying activity. There are children’s play areas, and they host field trips throughout the year.

They will be hosting a Flower Festival for three weekends in the fall, which will include a sunflower maze, flower you-picks, a dahlia field and tours, and petting and feeding the farm animals like goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, cats and dogs. This will happen on September 23rd, 24th, and 30th, and October 1st, 7th, and 8th.

Fields of Grace relies heavily on financial donations and volunteer work as they strive to get the farmhouse ready for retreats, not to mention the cultivation and harvesting of the flowers themselves. If their mission speaks to you, and you are looking for a way to help, that is the most effective way to do so. They also offer seasonal and full year subscriptions to the farm so that you can experience all of their activities.

To learn more, visit www.fieldsofgraceflowerfarm.com or make and appointment and head out to Shiloh a visit.

By Sarah Algoe