Episode 448: Florist Katie McClain of Tucson’s Posh Petals; plus, our Stories of Resilience guest Mandy O’Shea of 3 Porch Farm

Katie McClain, Posh Petals, Arizona-inspired

Our featured guest this week is Katie McClain of Posh Petals, based in Oro Valley, outside Tucson, Arizona. Just like last week's guest, April Vomfell of Flathead Farmworks, Katie and I recorded this interview in person on March 14th at Hitomi Gilliam's Trend Summit in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Little did we know that business as usual and all our plans for the 2020 growing and floral design season would be radically changed soon after Katie and I traveled home the following day. I'm delighted to share our conversation with you today.

But first, our bonus series here on the Slow Flowers Podcast continues with our next installment of Stories of Resilience. I believe that now, more than ever, the message of sustainability and seasonal and locally-available flowers is top of mind -- among consumers, flower farmers and florists.

I want the Slow Flowers Podcast to be a companion to those of you in isolation, away from your physical community of peers, neighbors, customers and friends. I don't have many answers, but I do want to keep the lines of communication open and accessible. Today's Stories of Resilience guest wrote one of the very first posts that signaled to me that our TIMES ARE CHANGING when on March 14th I noticed 3 Porch Farm's instagram post offering free shipping of their flowers. They wrote:

"In light of the current situation, we are shipping a box of mixed blooms to your door !! This is the first time we have offered this option and we are excited to be able to bring y’all a little bit of bright sparkle during this time of potential stress. Each box will contain a mix of 35 stems of our blooming beauties for the price of $65. You can expect approximately 7-8 Tulips, 20-22 Poppies (even a few of the big Italian varieties), and 7-8 Daffodils...maybe even a few Ranunculus and Anemones thrown in there too. (Our first succession of Ranunculus is on the way out while our next batch isn’t quite ready yet). But what I can promise is that they will all brighten your day !! . We will begin shipping this Monday with first come, first serve. We hope to ship throughout the week assuming shipping continues. . . . we can never thank y’all enough for all the love and support you constantly extend our way !! Really and truly, this farm only works bc of your kindness and belief in what we are doing over here !! Sending y’all so much love, happiness, and excellent health."

I reached out to 3 Porch to learn more and ever since, Mandy and I have been juggling our schedules in order to record this conversation. Based in Comer, Georgia, Mandy and Steve O'Shea are past guests of this podcast in 2016, which you can listen to at this link.

Mandy O'Shea of 3 Porch Farm

Here's a bit more about Mandy O'Shea. She graduated from UGA with a degree in Horticulture. During that

time, she began working with a local sustainable farmer and selling their goods

at the Big City Bread farmers market and other local venues. She has been

hooked ever since. Her love for the farm life took her to California via the

WWOOF's program where she learned to combine her love for horses and farming.

While in Ca., she also worked at the prestigious organic olive oil company

McEvoy Ranch for multiple years helping to manage their 7 acre vegetable and

cut flower gardens as well as doing daily flower arrangements to beautify the

ranch, the S.F. Ferry building store and for frequent events. After missing her

home state for too long, she and Steve packed up their dogs...and bee hives...

and headed east bound and down to begin their new farming endeavor. They are

passionate about bringing beauty, blooms,