βSo, do you want grass?β was the first question he asked us, and while Cape Bretoners love their lawns, no - we didnβt want grass. When we took over our farm in 2023 the 20+ year lease on 5 acres of cultivated land ended, and our first task was to negotiate what would be replanted.
Β 
Like many other farmers, growers, and gardeners we look at our growing space with love, excitement, and concern. We see the impacts of climate change on our seasons, on our crops, and on our mental health. With all of this in mind, we knew we wanted to align ourselves with farming techniques that are regenerative, which for us meant no-dig, which then meant weβll likely never cultivate that whole 5 acres. So, what did we want planted? Our neighbour was waiting for a call back after all.
Β
That first year we decided to plant sunflowers into all 5 acres, having taken possession of the farm in May we were already behind the ball for that season. That first crop of sunflowers and the joy they brought to us, our community, and our local pollinator population convinced us - a field full of flowers was the way forward. 1 year, 1 grant from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, and 1 partnership with West Coast Seeds later - we were planting out 4 acres of wildflowers to create a pollinator meadow while retaining 1 acre for cultivation.
Β 
At the time of writing, itβs been about a month since the meadow was planted and itβs filled with tiny little seedlings. Some of which are weeds, many of which are wildflowers - all of which weβre really excited about. Ager Lane is both a flower farm and event space and one of our primary goals is to create moments of rest and joy so that we can help our communities recharge so that we all have the capacity to do the work thatβs needed if weβre to survive on this planet. Weβre trying to do that for our human communities with events and connection, and weβre trying to do that for our pollinator and soil web communities with this wildflower meadow. Plus, who wants to mow 4 acres of grass?
Β
Percy and Clary Ager aka the @ zucchini.wives, Ager Lane Flower Farm + Event Space, Big Bras dβOr, Nova Scotia