Whenever I set out to interview someone new, there’s always a sense of mystery. What story will unfold? Will their world spark something unexpected in me? On that chilly December morning, as I drove to meet Sophie, the owner of Mindful Blooms Farm (mindfulbloomsfarm.com), I felt a quiet excitement building within me.
The journey felt like a gentle escape from the city’s bustle. Leaving Sarasota behind, I followed Fruitville Road as it transitioned into a quiet country road flanked by farms and ranches. The serene landscape set a peaceful tone with its open fields and rustic charm. But even that couldn’t prepare me for the energy I felt when I arrived.
This wasn’t just a farm but a spectacular haven where nature and spirit harmonized beautifully. Waiting to greet me was Sophie, a young woman with a radiant smile and a calm, welcoming presence. As I stepped onto the property, the cool air carried the scent of soil and blooming flowers, even in the quiet of December. This was a space of harmony, growth, and intention. I couldn’t wait to ask Sophie how she started this beautiful, mindful oasis.
During our chat, Sophie mentioned that she had studied in Jaipur, India; I was speechless. As someone who has lived in India, I understand that place's transformative power. India, the land of yoga, spirituality, and kindness, leaves a mark on everyone who spends time there. To hear that Sophie’s journey had been shaped by her time in the same country, which taught me so much, felt like an instant connection.
Sophie explained that she studied sustainable development and social change while in India. “I’ve always wanted to make a positive impact,” she shared as we settled into our conversation. “But I didn’t know what that would look like.” Her studies took her through topics like fair trade and social entrepreneurship, but the time spent on small family farms in India left a lasting impression. “The connection to the land, the flowers, the real, nourishing food—it stayed with me, even though I didn’t realize it at the time,” she said.
After graduation, Sophie found herself in Philadelphia, working a corporate job that left her disconnected and unfulfilled. “I’d pass the woods on my way to meetings and think, ‘I wish I could just go there,’” she admitted with a laugh. That longing for nature eventually led her to leap, leaving her desk job to work on farms in Asheville.
Initially focused on growing food, Sophie discovered a surprising love for flowers. “At first, I didn’t see the value. I thought, ‘I need food to live, not flowers.’ But the beauty and joy they bring—it’s something else entirely. Flowers have this way of inspiring people and connecting them to something deeper.”
During the lockdown, Sophie felt stuck and disconnected in the city. That’s when her mother offered her an unexpected lifeline: to move back to the family property in Myakka City and start her flower farm. “I wasn’t sure I could do it,” Sophie confessed. “I didn’t feel like I had enough knowledge, but I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”
The result was Mindful Blooms Farm, now in its fourth season. Nestled in the countryside, it’s not just a place to grow flowers—it’s a space for connection and healing. Beyond selling flowers, Sophie hosts yoga classes, sound bath meditations, and all-day retreats that allow people to pick flowers, work with the soil, and reconnect with nature.
“Farming is a mindfulness practice for me,” she explained. “Whether I’m planting, weeding, or harvesting, it’s about being fully present in the moment. It’s meditative. I wanted to share that with others—to create a space where people can let go of the chaos of life and reconnect with what matters.”
Sustainability is also a cornerstone of Sophie’s work. She explained how most flowers in the U.S. are imported and treated with harmful chemicals, a process that is damaging both to the environment and to people. “I wanted to grow flowers organically, in harmony with nature, and educate others about the importance of locally grown blooms,” she said.
Spring is the busiest season at Mindful Blooms, with a riot of flowers and a full calendar of events. Sophie offers a CSA flower subscription, where participants receive weekly bouquets, U-pick flower days, and mindful gardening sessions that blend yoga with hands-on time in the soil.
Walking through the farm, surrounded by vibrant greenery and birds flitting overhead, I understood why people are drawn to this place. Sophie’s passion for what she does is contagious, and the farm's energy reflects her intention to create a haven for growth and connection.“This isn’t just a business for me,” she said, her voice soft but specific. “It’s a way to bring people closer to nature and themselves. That’s what I’ve found here, and I hope others find, too.”
As I drove back to Sarasota, I carried the memory of Sophie’s farm with me—a reminder of how powerful it is to slow down, reconnect, and let nature guide the way. Visiting her farm left me feeling sentimental, as if I had stepped back into my childhood when life felt connected to the natural world. It was one of the most extraordinary interviews I’ve had, a moment that touched something timeless within me.
Cover photo: thestudiomagnolia.com
Article photos: iruphotos.com
Amazing story and vibrant energy - thank you for introducing such a beautiful space. I am going to visit in January and cannot wait ❤️🤍Renata