Ag-Tourism to Dahlias
- Debra Flaming
- Sep 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 20
Transforming Flaming Acres from an Ag-Tourism Destination to Dahlia Tuber Farm
If you had visited Flaming Acres a few years ago, your memories might include navigating a corn maze, sipping apple cider, or bouncing along on a hayride. Our farm was built on experiences—fall festivals, school tours, and family weekends celebrating the beauty of the harvest season.
We loved those days. The laughter of children echoing across the fields, the smell of kettle corn drifting across the park, the piles of pumpkins ready for carving—all of it made Flaming Acres a place of joy and connection. And for a season, it was good.
But seasons change. And sometimes, so do callings.
Discovering the Dahlia
Between planting hay fields and carving out corn mazes, we decided to try something new—What began as a small patch of dahlias quickly took over our hearts. Dahlia blooms are dazzling, abundant, and full of character.
We realized these flowers weren’t just beautiful. They were an invitation—to slow down, to steward God’s creation with care, and to grow something that could be shared far beyond our farm gates.
A New Kind of Harvest
As our love for dahlias grew, so did our vision. Instead of hayrides, we now walk the rows, inspecting new growth. Instead of carving pumpkins, we label tubers and plan bloom sequences. Instead of gathering families for fall photos, we’re preparing thousands of dahlia tubers to ship across the country this spring—each one packed with care and rooted in purpose.
We’re no longer building corn mazes. We’re building legacy.
What Remains the Same
Though the activities have shifted, our heart has not. Flaming Acres is still a place of welcome—a place where beauty is cultivated not only in the soil, but in the spirit of hospitality and encouragement we hope to share with you.
We’re still teachers at heart. Only now, our “classrooms” are rows of blooms and planting guides. Our goal is to inspire your garden, nurture your heart, and help you discover the same joy we’ve found in these humble, glorious tubers.
What’s Ahead
Today, Flaming Acres is home to 2,000 dahlia plants across more than 200 varieties. Our online shop opened August 10th, where we are offering our abundant surplus of tubers to folks from all over the country. We plan to begin shipping tubers on March 9, 2026.
Behind the scenes, we’re expanding our flower fields and reimagining our gardens with scenic walking paths, curated display beds, and vibrant viewing areas where thousands of blooms will delight.
And for our local friends—we’re thrilled to announce that the farm will reopen to the public in 2026 with our first annual Labor Day Flower Festival, with the return of u-pick flowers, the coffee shop, workshops, live music, vendors and more.
It will be spectacular.
Our Story, In Our Words
Dion and I recorded a special video for our subscribers today, sharing “the story behind Flaming Acres.” We’d love for you to watch it and hear, in our own words, how this journey unfolded and where it’s heading.
Thank You
Whether you remember the corn maze days or you’ve just joined us, we’re grateful you’re here. Your encouragement and support have helped us grow—not just flowers, but a vision for what Flaming Acres is becoming.
Together, let’s keep growing.
With gratitude,
Debra Flaming
