Staying connected

Crystal Cady grew up just blocks away for Drake’s 7 Dees, a successful garden center in Portland, Ore. After school, she’d frequent the business rather than playing with other kids or staying home. When she was 15, she was hired on as a cashier. Her ambition for horticulture has led the now 32-year-old Cady to own her own business as a grower/retailer. Along with her husband, Josh, their business, Sunflower Acres Farm & Garden in Salem, Ore., sells fresh produce and unique hanging baskets at farmers markets and through online orders.

Inside two 30 by 96-foot greenhouses she leases in the Hubbard area, she grows more than 100 varieties of plants, both edible and ornamental.

“This year we really expanded our edible selection of herbs and veggies and hops,” Cady says. These include spinach, kale, lettuce, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and peppers.

Cady’s unique floral arrangements and hanging baskets, however, are her best-selling products. She offers a variety of sizes for residential and business use, and they’ve grown in popularity so much that she created an online store on her website for customers to pre-order them.
 

The value of getting involved

As a member of the Oregon Association of Nurseries, Cady was awarded New Nursery Professional of the Year and the President’s 5-Star Award in 2009, Retailer of the Year in 2010, and she recently stepped down from the role of Retail and Greenhouse Chapter president.

“I’ve always felt it was important to give back and network,” Cady says. “There’s no way I would be where I am today if I had not done the networking and volunteering…I’ve been able to learn from so many great mentors, and they’ve been able to learn from me. They have their own skill sets to offer and I have something else, so it’s great to share and be passionate about going in the same direction with our industry.”

Part of Cady’s seven-year plan is to become president of the association, and she’s got a plan to help her get there. To bridge the gaps of her industry knowledge, she’s begun to expand her network to get involved with AmericanHort.
 

Being a new business

Though Cady is heavily involved in horticulture associations, she’s learning many lessons firsthand as a business owner. One thing she makes sure to do is keep in mind the way she’s perceived by the Salem business community by always conducting herself in the best way possible.

“I can’t just be driving down the road and get all mad because somebody cut me off,” Cady says. “It’s something I always think about and be cautious about.”

Cady also paid attention in her business classes while earning her MBA from Oregon State University, which taught her to get everything in writing and to have a good team behind her.

“I knew up front I’d be spending money on a lawyer and an accountant and a [business] consultant because [it would save me] down the road, and it completely has,” she says.
 

Preparing for the future

Cady is in the closing process on a farm property to expand her growing capabilities, and she’s also looking for a place in town to serve as a retail storefront.

“I think of it like, someone’s swinging by on their way home and picking up the top few items they need. If they’re having a party, grab a couple hanging baskets or they need a couple lettuce trays,” she says. Then, eventually, for the full experience, customers will have the ability to visit the greenhouse.

Cady is also a supporter of the farm-to-table movement, and would ideally like to open a café where everything served on the menu — from soups, salads and sandwiches — is grown right on her property.

In the meantime, Cady is working to continue to grow quality products, and expand her business and industry knowledge one step at a time.

“It is my passion, my dream and one of the most rewarding things I have ever done,” Cady says. “I love watching it growing and building on it year after year.”