Farmer Focus: Meet Kelly Robertson & Allison Hanson, Red Dog Flower Farm
Kelly Robertson and Allison Hanson wear many hats. Both are mothers of active kids, have full-time jobs, and care for animals. But it’s their shared love for nature and their community that led them to start Red Dog Flower Farm in 2023.
The idea that became Red Dog Flower Farm grew from Robertson and Hanson’s connection through their kids’ school and sports. “As the activities continued,” Robertson recalls, “so did our time together, and with it, the realization that we had similar values, a love for the outdoors, and the desire to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives and the environment.”
“The more time we spent together, the more the dream of beginning a flower farm kept bubbling to the surface,” Robertson continues. “One day, it turned serious: we huddled over some beers, our vision, the logistics, and could no longer deny that the farm felt inevitable!”
Located in Fountaintown, Indiana, Red Dog Flower Farm sits on ten acres of native trees and grasses, providing a habitat for both flowers and wildlife to thrive. “The farm is regularly graced with blue herons, great horned owls, whitetail deer, bald eagles, bluebirds, quail, and American Kestrels,” says Robertson. “Our love for nature and the environment has driven us to grow premium-cut flowers without the use of toxic fertilizers and pesticides. We rely on our donkeys, goats, and ducks to provide much of the fertilizer needed on the farm!”
Robertson and Hanson use their farm to share their love for nature with everyone around them. “What makes Red Dog Flower Farm different is our mission to create more than just beautiful flowers–we aim to build a space that brings people together, fosters connection, and celebrates nature’s rhythms,” Robertson explains. “We offer seasonal bouquet subscriptions, pop-ups, and hands-on floral arranging workshops, giving people the opportunity to engage directly with the flowers and the stories behind them. We’re also proud to collaborate with a wide range of local businesses…whether it’s hosting a floral workshop at a brewery, popping up at a farmers market, or donating blooms to a local nonprofit, we believe in growing community right alongside our flowers.”
Because Hanson and Robertson lead such busy lives, the running of Red Dog Flower Farm has been a family affair from day one. “Our husbands are in the trenches with us–tilling soil, building infrastructure, hauling buckets, and showing up for all the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the farm running,” says Robertson. “Our kids are right there too, whether they’re helping bunch bouquets, pulling weeds, loading the truck, or just keeping us company in the field. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s ours–and we’re building it together.”
And what about after all the hard work that goes into the seeding, planting, and harvesting these flowers? Robertson says that’s what makes it all worth it. “The most rewarding part of flower farming is seeing the joy our flowers bring to others,” she says. “Whether it’s someone picking up a bouquet at a farmers market, attending one of our workshops, or simply pausing to admire a bloom, there’s something incredibly special about growing beauty and sharing it with the community. Flowers have a way of connecting people–to nature, to memories, and to each other–and being a small part of that connection is deeply fulfilling.”
Follow Robertson and Hanson’s journey at reddogflowers.com and on Instagram @reddogflowerfarm and Facebook.
Keep Digging!
Want to learn more about Hoosier food and farming? Robertson and Hanson recommend these resources:
Cut Flower Garden - “Erin is the GOAT of the cut flower world, and this book is where it all began for so many of us—it's as inspiring as it is practical, especially when you're just getting started.”
Cool Flowers - “A game-changer for learning how to grow hardy annuals in cooler seasons, which extended our growing window and helped us get blooms earlier in the year.”
Specialty Cut Flowers - “A comprehensive reference we return to often—it covers dozens of flower varieties and growing methods in detail, making it an essential guide for planning and troubleshooting.”
Postharvest Handling of Cut Flowers and Greens - “This technical but invaluable book taught us how to properly condition and store flowers to ensure they last longer for our customers.”
Resources from the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) - “Not a book, but an incredibly valuable membership—ASCFG provides ongoing education, research, variety trials, and a network of growers that’s been instrumental to our farm’s growth.”
Photos courtesy of Kelly Robertson and Allison Hanson.
