A Fresh Take on Farming:
Meet Brianna Sims and her
Blooms on 7 Flower and Alpaca Farm

When we think of farmers, most people picture men on a tractor plowing fields or raising cattle. While the majority of farmers in Canada are still white men, the number of women entering the industry is steadily growing.

Shifting demographics in farming

According to Statistics Canada, the number of women working on a farm has increased. In fact, Alberta reported 1,065 new women farmers since 2016 -- the largest increase next to BC. There are now 32.4% of farms across Alberta that are led by a woman farm operator. This shift represents change in the agricultural industry, as more women go after their dream of developing a successful, sustainable farm, despite the potential obstacles.

I wanted to meet one of these new women farmers and learn about what motivated them to join the agriculture industry.

Meet Brianna Sims

I reached out to Brianna Sims after finding the Blooms on 7 instagram page. I was pulled in by the pictures of beautiful flowers and adorable alpacas, but what interested me most was learning about her farm’s origins. At a time when nearly 97% of farms across Canada are family farms, and many of those being multi-generational operations, Brianna’s story is different.

She didn’t inherit any land. She didn’t have connections in the agriculture industry. She didn’t launch one of the more common agricultural commodities. Rather, she challenged the norms of what a typical farm looks like by taking the leap from urban life to bring ‘Blooms on 7’, a flower and alpaca farm, to life. I visited Brianna at her farm, and we chatted about her experience as a new farmer.

Transitioning to farming

For Brianna, thinking about making the transition to farming occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like so many of us, the pandemic forced her to think about the vision she had for her family’s future. After almost a decade as a teacher, she and her husband felt that they needed a change.

When thinking of what that change would be, she said, “I grew up on a farm and for my husband and I, it was always the way of life I wanted to raise my kids in…I wanted to have them playing outside and getting their toes in the dirt, so it was something we had always talked about. COVID gave us that final push to go for it.” At this point, Brianna and her husband, along with her sister and mother, began their search for a property that would make their dreams come true and in November of 2020, they found the perfect 7-acre parcel of land just outside of Sherwood Park that they named ‘Blooms on 7’.

New business means new challenges

Starting any new business presents its challenges, and every industry is different. One of the toughest might be the agriculture industry with its high cost of land, established commodity groups, the high-proportion of men, and tight-knit bonds among farmers. It’s like a club that has its way of doing things. So launching a flower farm was certainly breaking new ground.

Flower farming presented its own set of challenges that Brianna had to overcome. In the early days, Brianna started out selling her flowers at farmers markets and working to develop relationships with local florists and wholesalers. She explained that networking and building relationships was difficult. She says “This was a struggle, as florists and wholesalers are accustomed to importing their flowers from out of the country.” Encouraging florists to see locally grown flowers as a superior and more sustainable alternative really challenged the norm. Brianna hopes this will shift with time and persistence though.

As she explains, “We want locals to see that a product grown on a local, ethical farm, with no harmful chemicals provides a more economical, sustainable product”. This struggle however turned into a blessing: They started marketing their flowers directly to customers. It was at this point that there was interest from the public in using the farm for photography and u-pick events, and so the next phase of the farm was born.

Working directly with customers

Brianna found an overwhelming interest among the public to come to the farm for u-picks. She said that after the first u-pick, “I was so energized and thought this should have been the original business plan from the beginning”. The interest and inquiries from customers opened the door for them to evolve the business and step into the agri-tourism industry. They began offering opportunities for customers to come out to experience the farm for themselves by offering u-picks, flower workshops, alpaca picnics, photography, and events.

The best part of this shift for Brianna has been seeing the creative ways in which others have utilized their farm in ways she didn’t expect. They have hosted dayhome groups, family gatherings, and even bachelorette parties. As the only farm of its kind in Western Canada, with a combination of flowers and alpacas, it is a unique experience you can’t get anywhere else and Brianna says that they are happy to explore any ideas that their customers have.

Advice for women entering the farming industry

I asked Brianna if she had any advice for women who might be considering stepping out of their comfort zone and into the farming industry. Having lived the experience, she offered five recommendations:

1 | Find other local farmers who can relate

Brianna said that “starting out had me feeling a bit like an island.” Take the time to find others who are in the same area as you and you quickly realize that it “doesn’t need to be that hard and that lonely”. Being around others who share a similar experience is vital when you’re learning how to navigate this industry. Stepping into the Agri-tourism industry hasn’t been easy but by having the mentality of community over competition, you will be better equipped to manage the struggles that are inherent in this industry.

2 | Know when to say no

Take care of yourself and make sure that you aren't saying yes to things you don't need to at the cost of your mental health. Make self-care a priority when you need it and know what your own limitations are before burnout sets in.

3 | Lean on your support system

Brianna says she couldn't have managed this experience without the support of her family, employees, and community. In her words, “You can’t do everything yourself, and if you have people around you who are there to help, let them.”

4 | Don’t listen to the haters, have patience, and don’t give up

It can feel disheartening in the beginning, and it may take a bit to get things rolling, but It is important to recognize that growth in any new business venture can take time. With time, persistence, and a willingness to adapt from your original plan, success can be found.

5 | Tap into the available resources

Starting a business and stepping into uncharted territory can be overwhelming, but taking advantage of services and professionals in the industry can guide and equip you with the resources you need. It can make the whole experience less daunting when you use the resources out there.

Brianna hopes to grow her business in Alberta. These types of farms provide a great opportunity for farmers to interact with and educate the public while also creating an additional stream of income. Blooms on 7 is participating in open farm days August 19-20 and will be offering Alpaca 101 and flower farm tours.

More about Blooms on 7

Blooms on 7 is located just outside of Sherwood Park. You can connect with her via their website to book floral services for weddings and events, flower subscriptions, workshops, and alpaca visits. Follow them on Instagram @blooms_on_7 to stay up to date on their hours and events.

Thinking about a career in agriculture?

If you’re thinking about a career in agriculture, there are some great resources for aspiring farmers and women. Check out these sites for more information:

● Young Agrarians - Young Agrarians is an educational resource that provides young farmers with opportunities to build community and develop knowledge to ensure sustainable success within the industry.

● Advancing women in agriculture conference - The advancing women conference provides women in agriculture with opportunities to connect with other women and make connections to resources that will support their success within the industry.