By Maggie Edwards 

Colorful flowers and cattle pastures are nestled in the hills of northeast Alabama’s McLeod Family Farm. 

“It’s a peaceful feeling being here,” said Julia McLeod, who farms the Cleburne County land. “This place saved me. Agriculture has pulled me back in. I have such big dreams for the farm.” 

The vision began in 2008 when she inherited and bought family land. McLeod and husband Brian went to work on the property that sat idle since last being farmed in the ‘80s.  

Nine years ago, she stepped into the cut-flower industry after 18 years in real estate. Brian owns a landscape design company based in Carrollton, Georgia. 

“I had always gardened with my father, Eddie Gaines,” McLeod said. “We’re out here every day together. It’s like being on a playground with my daddy. My idea for a cut-flower farm began with a bag of zinnia seeds he purchased.” 

What started small has blossomed into a beautiful, booming direct-to-consumer business. 

“I’ve always had a love for flowers,” McLeod said. “When I realized I could start growing them, my passion increased. I am completely self-taught and have discovered a lot of teachers on social media and have used YouTube and textbooks. I crave hands-on learning and have enjoyed finding different areas on the farm where we can grow better quality crops.” 

In the beginning, the McLeods parked a flower truck at various community events. While that’s still a customer favorite, the farm has grown production into florist markets, wholesale and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. 

“The demand I am trying to meet has pushed me to expand production into high tunnels,” McLeod said. “I am digging into growing higher-quality blooms.” 

It’s an outlet to serve the community, too, she said. 

“I give away so many flowers because God has been so good to me,” McLeod said. “Flowers just make people happy — and that makes me happy.” 

Aside from being a talented and artistic flower grower, McLeod is an encourager to fellow farmers. 

“Growing flowers pairs with fruit and vegetable production,” said McLeod, the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) secretary/treasurer. “It brings more variety, especially if you are selling your product at a market or roadside stand. Everyone loves flowers. It brings joy — much like produce.” 

AFVGA Executive Director Blake Thaxton said McLeod is right. 

“Flowers fit very well,” Thaxton said. “AFVGA is privileged to have flower farmers join our group. Julia and Brian get a lot of credit for that. They started coming to the AFVGA Conference and saw firsthand how flowers can fit into what fruit and vegetable farmers do. Their ability to network and create connections has been key for the association.”  

The McLeods have two children, Duston Tucker, 22, and Auston, 29. The family is growing, too. Auston and wife Abbi are expecting the farm’s sixth generation. 

The farm also includes Julia’s father, Eddie Gaines; her mother, Pat Bruner; and family friend Ginger Baughn.

“We love it here,” said Eddie, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. “It’s home. It’s where I grew up. I always told my poppa I would be back. When he died, I lost the farm. It took me 28 years to get it back. I’m proud to see Julia and Brian continuing our family heritage.”

It’s a blessing to the McLeods, too. 

“My biggest joy is being a steward of the land and doing it with my family,” McLeod said. “If I can do anything, it is to leave this land a lot better than I found it.”