The Happy Dahlia Farm

At the intersection of East Washington and Adobe Road in Petaluma, California, one can feel the new vibrations emanating from the thousands of colorful dahlias that grow in the field at The Happy Dahlia Flower Farm. Among the playful kaleidoscope of colorful blooms, visitors are immersed in a sensorial state of being filled with beauty, life energy, and nature. While well-known for producing exquisite dahlias in their many varieties, the farm has blossomed into a sanctuary for the spirit, soul, and connection. The Happy Dahlia Flower Farm has become a place to experience the sacred seasonal rhythms of the farm, landscape, and community.

Owner and self-proclaimed "Flower Mama," Meagan Major felt this very same energy when she first saw the dahlia flower farm. It was in a picture shared via text by a friend – then known as the Aztec Dahlia Farm. And in that very same message, Meagan quickly learned that the owner was about to put the farm up for sale. “My heart took a breath and EXHALED... it was visceral," recalled Meagan. Trusting this intuitive sign deep within her, Meagan immediately took the first step towards purchasing the flower farm – talking it over with her husband and partner, Tony.

Tony thought it, “the best stupid idea ever!” Together they along with their two young daughters took a deep dive into the fascinating world of dahlias and farming in the wine country. “It’s about surrendering what you think you want, what you think you know, so that the universe can realign you to something even more spectacular." Meagan continued, "I didn’t realize it would manifest itself in the form of a flower farm. I didn’t even know what a tuber was, but there I stood in front of 60,000 of them.”

A former make-up artist to A-list entertainers and celebrities, Meagan shared that she too was increasingly being drawn away from her current work in wellness and healing. Her spirit was leading her to the outdoors, farms, and the beauty of flowers. She confessed to secretly exploring the idea of working on a local farm and realized it was not financially realistic. “It’s about following a thousand tiny instincts that lead you to unexpected surprises," reflected Meagan. She signed the papers for the business the day of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

With no experience in farming, Meagan knew she had to follow her heart into uncharted waters and trust that this was where she was meant to be in the universe. There was no business plan for launching a business during a pandemic. Restaurants, wineries, catering, special events, and weddings planners made up most of the customer-base she inherited with purchase of the farm. Customers whose businesses closed down or were put on pause within weeks of the lockdown.

Meagan persevered through this unprecedented tough time for businesses through hard work – harder than she could ever imagine. Her creativity and business savvy as an entrepreneur imagined a new vision for the farm. One that was more than just selling flowers and arrangements. She saw the farm as a place of beauty, inspiration, and gathering. Her vision was the catalyst for awakening a new spirit and alternative model for the once traditional flower farm. The Happy Dahlia Flower Farm became a flourishing new space for individuals to retreat from their busy lives, connect to the rhythms of nature, and be energized by the beauty of the flowers and from community—an outdoor refuge from the long work at home days and pandemic life.

On any given day during flower season and even off-season, the dahlia field has become a place of beauty, meditation, and playful communion. The Happy Dahlia Flower Farm holds workshops and events that uplift the soul, boost creativity, and promote community connection. From gigantic soap bubble playdates for kids, to romantic date nights picnics in the field, the farm is becoming a place for connection and play. Recently, a stage has been built as a focal point for music and entertainment such as movie night. The farm is also a family-friendly space for kids to be free, explore and learn from the farm and nature. Kids can experience chickens wandering about the field while playing among the colorful rows of blooms. They can also get their hands dirty in a fun new playground complete with a kid-sized potting bench.

The farm has also become a place for education and community. The farm hosts workshops and seasonal markets like the Clucktown Collective – a group of diverse local merchants and craftspeople who sell their unique wares. Meagan offers a variety of classes on growing dahlias, flower farming, floral arranging, and wellness. Meagan and Tony envision the farm will one day provide a venue for future festivals to support causes that matter, like protecting our environment and oceans.

With her passion for wellness and healing, Meagan planned for the farm to also be a sanctuary for quiet meditation and wellness. Yoga classes are offered weekly out in the fields among the blooms. Sound healing ceremonies provide a direct therapeutic reset for the soul. Tonal modulations, vibrant color frequency of the dahlias, and the landscape create an immersive environment for visitors to detach from their daily lives. Crystals set amid the rows of flowers provide stabilizing and rebalanced energy.

In her extraordinarily challenging first year as a flower farmer, Meagan has even cultivated a growing community of loyal followers. Her dahlia devotees regularly support the farm by purchasing flowers and attending a variety of events. What makes her supporters so different from regular customers is that they appreciate her new creative model for the farm as a beautiful sanctuary and a dynamic communal space. Her amazing dahlia-loving supporters have crowd-sourced over $50,000 in donations to support improvement projects on the farm. The fun new playground is one of many projects that will help expand this once traditional flower farm into a new dynamic venue for visitors to enjoy. “I am completely overwhelmed and blessed to have such support from my community,” shared Meagan.

While the new programs of activities and events attract people to the farm, the many stunning dahlias varieties remain the powerful magnets that draw visitors to this breathtaking field of color. The spectacular display of textures and shapes attract crowds throughout the season for Instagram selfies, family portraits, seasonal flowers, and even deep spiritual connections. You can even arrange a professional photo session for your family portraits online through the farm’s website. “Each variety has its own personality, sculptural form, and vibrant energy," said Meagan. Her farming team even gives each flower variety a nickname reflective of its individual personality. Meagan uses these stunning idiosyncratic blooms to create many artful arrangements and bouquets to sell.

The Happy Dahlia Flower Farm is a family run heart-centered business that produces the most stunning dahlias in the region while at the same time creating a unique visitor experience that draws the crowds from all over. We invite you to immerse yourself in this new energy created from Meagan’s inspired vision of a thriving farm, dynamic community, and a sacred place for connection with beauty. We cannot wait for you to meet Meagan and experience the new vibe at this incredible dahlia farm.

Follow Meagan’s floral artistry, farming adventures, and community events on Instagram @thehappydahliafarm. Also, please check [ www.thehappydahliafarm.com ] for changing seasonal hours, a calendar of community events, and educational workshops. Don’t Bloomdiggity the end of season celebration on Oct. 23 at 12pm!