Business Is Blooming at Stone Hollow Farmstead in Alabama
Customers of Stone Hollow Farmstead in Harpersville, Alabama, are often surprised that Deborah Stone previously owned a day spa. But her career path organically grew from allure to agriculture. Deborah was raised on a farm, and her daughter, Alexandra, likewise gravitated toward a nature-based lifestyle. This mother-daughter duo, along with their growing family, run Stone Hollow Farmstead and its numerous complementary business lines, including Stone Hollow Creamery, Stone Hollow Hanoverians and Stone Hollow Herbs, to name a few.
“Stone Hollow Farmstead is not just a farm, but a community hub dedicated to sustainable practices, local agriculture, and sharing the beauty of nature through our diverse range of products and programs,” Alexandra says.
This sentiment aligns with the USDA’s agricultural research findings indicating that areas with a greater number of female farmers tend to have a better community well-being. Perhaps, in the future, Alexandra’s young daughter will further impact the community via this family’s female-run farm.
Beauty Blossoms in Alabama
Stone Hollow Farmstead’s priority focus is cultivating colorful dahlia varieties. The company is in its second year of shipping tubers nationwide. For those closer to its Alabama base, Stone Hollow offers a wide range of beautiful blooms – from bouquets to cut flowers and bulk buckets – year round at its retail outlet, FarmStand by Stone Hollow, as well as the Birmingham-area farmers market at Pepper Place.
“In addition to our floral offerings, we curate an assortment of seasonal gift boxes. These curated selections are more than just gifts; they’re an invitation to savor the unique flavors and beauty cultivated on our land,” Alexandra says.
These exceptional box bundles have even landed on Oprah’s Favorite Things list for the past three years!
“This high-profile recognition propelled our popcorn gift box to unprecedented sales, breaking records on Amazon in the grocery category,” Alexandra says. Gift box offerings include botanical-infused jellies, syrups and vinegars, champagne pickled strawberries, cocktail-inspired elixirs, rose lip balm and many other artisan goods with farm roots.
“The packaging in and of itself is part of the gift. Each box is crafted from birchwood, embodying our commitment to sustainability. Not only does this make the boxes beautiful and unique, but it also allows them to be repurposed, extending the life of the gift and reducing waste,” Alexandra says.
Gift boxes and tubers aren’t the only harmonious offerings at Stone Hollow Farmstead. Now in its 41st season, Deborah and Alexandra spearhead a plentiful Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.
“We deliver weekly boxes of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for local farming among our [CSA] members,” Alexandra says of the direct consumer connection.
CSA members receive access to diverse organic produce, preserved/jarred foods, eggs and bread – all grown in the vicinity by Stone Hollow Farmstead and its like-minded partnering farms.
See more: Babydolls, Blooms and Beauty: A Trip to 1818 Farms in Alabama
Natural Beauty From Inside Out
It’s easy to grasp how Deborah’s “retirement” farming pastime became and remains her second profession. On Stone Hollow Farmstead’s picturesque pasture, chickens, cows and goats roam and graze the healthy grass system.
The comprehensive farm operation has a dedicated team of staff, interns and volunteers, but Deborah still loves messing up her manicure by working in the flower bed dirt. In fact, she hasn’t washed her hands of all things beauty! Rather, Stone Hollow Farmstead embraces beauty and well-being from the inside out.
The company’s skincare lines, Botanikō Skin and Farmstead Laboratories, reflect the farm’s commitment to natural, farm-grown ingredients, offering wellness products that align with the Stone family’s ethos of holistic living. Botanikō Skin and Farmstead Laboratories produce aromatherapy blends, cleansers, masks, oils and several other body care goods. The company recently introduced CBD products into the line, too.
“Our CBD 1,000mg whole-plant extract has seen great success. The addition of ginger and lemon essential oils not only makes it more palatable but also enhances its effectiveness as a calming supplement. The positive response from our customers has been encouraging, underscoring the product’s quality and efficacy,” Alexandra says.
See more: All the Buzz: Honeybees are Vital to Alabama Agriculture
Soon to Bloom at Stone Hollow Farmstead
Alexandra says something new is also blooming.
“Looking ahead, Stone Hollow Farmstead is embarking on an exciting venture: the hybridization of our very own line of Stone Hollow Dahlias. This ambitious project is expected to unfold over the next three to five years. And we’re thrilled about the potential it holds,” Alexandra says. “Our commitment to this endeavor was further encouraged, last year, when two of our Stone Hollow Farmstead seedlings made a notable impression at the Dahlia Show. We are eagerly anticipating their performance in this year’s show and are optimistic about the future contributions these new varieties will make to the dahlia community and our farmstead.”
Lastly, eager to share their love of nature and farming, Deborah and Alexandra host community education sessions and other events at Stone Hollow Farmstead. The most recent sessions include Dahlia Intensive Workshops. Visit stonehollowfarmstead.com for details about this immersive experience.