Tucked deep in the woods on Wing Road, sits a parcel of six acres as peaceful, colorful and fragrant as you have ever experienced. It is the property of farm florist Barbara Jefts. Her business, Native Farm Flowers, is a wedding and event florist focused on the freshest cut, organic flowers she grows right here in Greenfield.

“I pride myself on growing the best, organically grown flowers that include everyone’s favorites as well as many unusual varieties,” Jefts said. “I have a distinct, naturalistic style that uses materials in interesting ways so that no two end products are ever the same.” 

The farm features many varieties of perennials, woody perennials, annual flowers and foliage. The business does around twenty weddings and special events each year and also holds small workshops for residents to create their own projects. On September 14, Native Farm Flowers will be holding a “flower crown workshop” at Fossil Stone Vineyards & Winery from 2-4 p.m. Sign up here. Later this fall, there will be a make your own dried wreath project and a fresh and dried Thanksgiving centerpiece workshop. You can learn more about upcoming classes on Instagram.

Raised in Latham as one of three children, Jefts studied art at Rochester Institute of Technology. In 1986 while home raising her own two children in Scotia, she began her farming business as a way to stay home to care for her children and provide income for the family. She found that growing flowers was a good fit for her background and passion as an artist and it came naturally. She sold her floral products at many local farmers markets for more than 32 years before moving to Greenfield. After a divorce in 2006, Jefts said she found the perfect Greenfield property for her farm to call its new home.

Jefts purchased the property from Barbara Linell Glaser, who owned more than 400 acres of land and wanted to develop it in parcels for small farm operations to take root. Glaser, who was named Conservationist of the Year by the Adirondack Council in 2021, is known for her dedication to environmental conservation, among other things. Her Linell Lands Inc. development company purchased this land as part of its focus on preserving local farmland. Glaser is a founding member of Pitney Meadows in Saratoga Springs and Saratoga P.L.A.N. (preserving land and nature) and she worked to create conservation easements for much of these Greenfield acres.

Jefts farmed and developed the land on Wing Road and in 2008 brought electric power and water to the property. She then slowly built a house and barn, finally moving in full time in 2012. Plots were developed by other farmers as well, most notably Wing Road Farm, who developed Little Wings Farm School, a unique preschool program featuring farm immersion. The school often visits Native Farms for field trips. Turtle Rock Farm also developed on the land, an organic vegetable farm that produces, among other items, shiitake mushrooms that are available to purchase at Pitney Meadows Farm.

“Farming is a lifelong endeavor,” she said. “The property is everchanging and always needs to be tended to keep it properly productive.”

The property features two large greenhouses. One is heated to start seedlings and house classes, and the other holds a year-round tunnel greenhouse where plants continue to grow in the ground all year long. The gardens themselves cover more than two acres of the property. Closer to the house there is a barn and flower workshop, that also houses a walk-in cooler to condition and store the flowers until they are used.  

Botanical Printed Clothing
Jefts has several racks of scarves, tee shirts and dresses on display inside the barn. These gorgeous eco “botanical” printed fabrics are created by using flowers and leaves from the farm. Jefts explained the process: First, she must treat the natural material. Next, she finds plant materials that are rich in tannins, which are arranged in the fabric, which is rolled up and steamed for hours. The tannins then transfer onto the fabric, leaving a permanent imprint. The clothing can be seen and purchased by appointment.

Living in Greenfield
Jefts lives in a beautiful farmhouse on the property and has a separate apartment that serves as home for her childhood friend Dorothy Phillips. 

“It’s a peaceful, beautiful place where you can appreciate the natural world and its beauty,” Phillips said when describing Native Farms.  “Being a part of the cycle of growth keeps us in touch with the concepts of hope and renewal.” 

Jefts is also joined on the property by several adopted barn cats and two “farm” dogs Gracie and Meadow.

“Native Farm Flowers in many ways encompasses what is truly special and unique about our beautiful town,” said Town Supervisor Kevin Veitch. “The folks that developed this land did so in a way that protected the rural character of the land, while allowing them to flourish their skills and passions with businesses that help us all.”

“This town has been able to keep its rural character while allowing for responsible growth,” Jefts said. “I feel so lucky I found my perfect place here on Wing Road.”

Native Farm Flowers is yet another cog in the wheel of the amazing business community we have here in the TOG. To support them, follow on Instagram to learn about upcoming workshops, phone them at 518-369-9713, and email them at nativefarmflowers@gmail.com. The farm is not open to the public, except by appointment.

This article is meant to inform the residents of Greenfield about a local business. The Town of Greenfield does not endorse one business over another. Instead, the Town supports all local business and wishes to highlight as many businesses as we can to foster a sense of community and help encourage our residents to shop locally.

If you are a legitimate business or nonprofit organization that is based in our Town, are you listed in our online community directories? If you would like to be added or possibly featured in an upcoming article like this one, please email information to info@greenfieldny.org.