My brother had lived alone on this secluded farm, in this old farmhouse at the end of the road. The house has been made a little more comfortable, to be used as a weekend country home.

The farm is only three quarters of a section (480 acres). In Canada, a conventional grain farm of this size does not have the economy of scale to make money or to break even. Our challenge was to produce a value added product or to apply some unusual marketing ideas to some very usual crops. The farm had to become self sustaining so we could continue to enjoy the country air whenever we could escape to our retreat.

After years of research we decided to enter the dried/preserved flower/foliage market. Our farm has 180 acres of native prairie so it was obvious that we should harvest some of the native botanicals and grow some cultivated varieties on a few acres of the farm land.

Market research showed us that the industry wanted a preserved product, one that was easy to work with, shatter less, and last longer. Although the preservation of plants was first patented in 1919, there was little step by step information on the process.

It was decided to develop a commercial process and write a practical “How To” manual to set up and operate a medium sized preserving facility. There were many people within and outside the industry looking for this information. In order to be compensated for my work, Coulee Pickings Ltd. decided to license the production process so it could be used by others in the industry.

The preserved botaniclas are used by designers in dried/preserved arrangements and as an accent or filler in fresh bouquets.

Internet surfers have found my web page and sent me e-mail requesting that I wildcraft or grow botanicals for the nutraceutical and dermaceutical market. This has since become another division of the company.

To find out more e-mail: harold.moen@couleepickings.com