Today we’d like to introduce you to Shilo Carr.
Hi Shilo, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Slow Grown Acres began as a means to an end. In 2020 our four children were 6 and under, my husband was working 50-60 hours a week, I was working part time an office job, and I was feeling pretty desperate for a change.
During the covid shut down we were immeasurably grateful for the space and beauty that our 5 acres provided us, but we also spent a lot of time feeling as though our land was managing us versus us managing it: either we needed to sell the property and move to a smaller plot, or we needed to find a way to steward this land in a way that honored it, and gave back to our family. Shortly after this discussion, a close friend recommended that I sell some of my flowers at the end of my driveway. I love to being outside, working alongside my kids, and growing flowers, but I’d never considered that there may be a market where all these skills could come together!
My husband recommend that I meet with a friend of his who owns a florist shop, to get a feel for opportunities in the flower world. Karyn Brooke from Sidelines in Martin City, was gracious enough to meet and in the course of our conversation revealed that the market for locally grown flowers was limited only by drive and determination. Her encouragement greased the wheels of my entrepreneurship, and I haven’t looked back. I now serve a variety of florists, designers, and small shops in KC, and provide flowers for hundreds of local customers each summer through special order, events and weddings, and my farm stand!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Though fulfilling, the journey of flower farming has not been particularly comfortable. My first three seasons brought a lot of tears, a plethora of learning opportunities, rejection, and just enough wins to keep me going. But beyond the typical new business struggles, my fourth year farming proved to be the most difficult season yet.
In 2024 my husband was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. Though we have endless support through our close knit community, our situation required me to scale by my five year goals. Life looks a little different these, but my husband is still with us, and we are soaking up our time with him! Through the struggle of learning to balance new personal demands, I have worked hard to embrace my new limitations, which has spurred me toward farming and marketing much more efficiently. As it turns out, I’m a much better farmer now that I’ve learned the importance of thinking critically about each step of my business. Here is hoping that 2026 is the farm’s best year yet!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Slow Grown Acres?
My flower farm is a located just south of KC in Raymore. From April to October I provide fresh, sustainably grown flowers, foliage, and woody stems for wholesale and retail. Currently Snapdragons, lisianthus, sunflowers, marigolds, zinnias and celosias are my top sellers, though I’m working to make a name for myself in foliage offerings and woody stems, including nine bark, willow, mock orange and various berry and flowering stems.
Each week I supply of stems to florist shops around the city. From Harrisonville to Pleasant Hill, Martin City, Lee’s Summit and Brookside, My biggest strength as a business owner is my reputation for consistency, quick and clear communication, accurate pricing and high quality stems. Maintaining good relationships with the flower buyers in the florist shops is a high priority; I want them to feel valued and appreciated, and for them to enjoy my drop offs each week. Most of my florists ask that I drive to their shop so they can shop my van each week instead of ordering ahead of time, and I know it’s because they look forward to seeing what I have in person, and they also like seeing me! Which is such a joy as a business owner.
My flower stand is located on our property a few blocks north of the Ray Pec Highschool, and is open on Saturday mornings from the end of May to October, with occasional openings throughout the week, offering wrapped market bouquets and vase arrangements. In 2026 I began partnering with other small local businesses to expand my stand offerings. Most weekends you can find coffee, baked goods, and fresh produce in the stand. I keep my social media up to date with current offerings and behind the scenes postings, so please check me out on Instagram and Facebook!
I also offer custom arrangements throughout the week.
Due to my husbands health I only accepted a few small weddings and events in 2024 and 2025. But I am ready to get back in the swing of things and am now accepting weddings and larger events!
How do you think about luck?
Never is luck more evident than in agriculture. A cool, rainy spring makes every grower seem a god. A hot, dry, windy summer can humble the most experienced grower.
I coudn’t have known when purchasing this home that our location would be a boon for a roadside stand, or that the existing structures would provide the electrical and plumbing access needed to support the thousands of square feet of growing fields now in operation.
I couldn’t have anticipated my husband’s health crisis, but I also couldn’t have known the joy of making connections with growers and designers all over the city over the last 5 years.
Whether we call it luck, or a divine path, I’m are exquisitely aware that very little of my life and business is actually in my own hands.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: slow_grown_acres
- Facebook: Slow Grown Acres
