With 25 acres of sprawling fields, you will find yourself immediately transplanted to a place of tranquility.
Travel just 20 minutes outside the city center of Des Moines and be greeted by the beauty of Rose Farm, a cut flower farm family-owned and lovingly-managed by Flower Farmers Karri and Patrick Rose. With 25 acres of sprawling ground, you will find yourself immediately transplanted to a place of tranquility. The white farmhouse set against the backdrop of deep rolling hills, and the charming, idyllic barn housing The Shoppe at Rose Farm, are neatly nestled on the property. The Shoppe at Rose Farm houses a community of learners through Lifestyle Workshoppes, Lunch + Learn experiences, Farm to Table Dinners, and provides a unique boutique experience for any of life's wonderful celebrations. The open-air garden pavilion creates a stunning place to gather for special events, with breath-taking views of the gardens and 2-acre pond.
Karri and Patrick developed the dream of Rose Farm, a 3-acre, cut-flower farm, with a deep belief resting in sustainability, stewardship of the land and conservation. They create habitats for birds, pollinators and other wildlife. Multiple breeds of non-GMO fed, free range hens happily wander and produce a striking array of colored eggs. Fresh herbs are grown from seed, guaranteeing quality from soil to table. Breathtaking fields of flowers delight the senses in the four gardens named after Karri + Patrick's families. Seasonally, you'll find David Austin garden roses, peonies, and over 25 varieties of dahlias blooming. Blueberries, raspberries, aronia berries, apple and pear trees provide flavorful fruit, along with many other varieties thriving on the farm. As a farmer florist, Karri blends the creative side of floristry with the agricultural side of farming.
As Flower Farmers, Karri and Patrick wholeheartedly believe in sustainable business practices. They are passionate about supporting local farms and the dreams of others. By supporting Rose Farm, you are rallying around a movement that builds community-supported agriculture.
We think acts of kindness & love found in everyday endeavors brighten the world. We believe kindness is a language that can be heard, seen & felt. We think the happiest people in life are the givers. We think it’s important to celebrate people who feel like sunshine. We believe beautiful minds inspire others.
We believe in creating & nurturing community. We believe in giving back. We believe in collaborating with people from whom we can learn. We believe learning never ends.
We believe in the magic of children. We think they are wise, kind & beautiful. We believe in encouraging their minds & spirits. We think they have superpowers. We believe in feeding & inspiring their hearts.
We believe in celebrations. We believe in joyfully acknowledging life’s events. We believe true happiness comes from creating memories. We think gathering with friends and family makes us more alive & connected.
We believe in treating nature with respect. We believe our land is more than soil; it’s the foundation on which our lives and families are built. We believe that in order to flourish, we must first nourish the ground beneath us. We believe this earth is what we have in common.
Karri invites you to experience the beauty + peace at Rose Farm. As a dream-seeker, she gave up her role as Executive Director for the #1 beauty brand, AVEDA, to pursue her passion in 2018. She had spent the previous 21 years working next to small business owners and service providers, helping them grow personally and professionally. Karri is now the owner + operator of Rose Farm, a 25-acre farmstead located in the rolling hills of Norwalk, Iowa, focusing on sustainability, stewardship of the land, conservation and community-supported agriculture.
When Karri started dreaming about opening the farm in 2018, she enrolled in + completed the Iowa State Master Gardening Program, which takes participants from a trainee, to an intern, to a master. As a part of the program, she was required to complete forty hours of volunteering. With a passion for community service, Karri was thrilled to find a way to give back to the Rose Farm community. After many mornings spent brainstorming, the concept of Farm School was born. Philanthropy will always be a driving force in Karri's life.
Karri's Southern heritage is a gift she uses to bring people together through hospitality, entertaining at the farm and inspiring others to give through philanthropy. Karri is a believer in beautiful celebrations, overseeing all boutique-sized celebrations at the farmstead. With an exquisite attention to detail, she makes even the simplest get-togethers special and thoughtful. She is also the founder of Victoria's House, a cozy guest home with accomodations for eight guests on the Rose Farm property where guests are invited to take a sabbatical + enjoy the magic of the countryside.
A lover of life, animals and all living things, Karri’s farm is a reflection of the commitment she has made to leave this world a better place. She’s an old soul who finds purpose in caring for the world around her. The minute you pull up to the white farmhouse and see the chickens happily grazing, and spot the vivid colors of the vibrant florals, you will quickly understand that it is passion which has built this dream.
Patrick is the master builder on the farm. His hard-working hands have built the greenhouse, hen house, high tunnels and bird habitats. His green thumb is responsible for the garden plot layouts. He is the grower, the harvester, the hay farmer and the bee keeper. Patrick has helped to bring Karri's dreams to life. His work ethic cannot be matched and he is, without a doubt, the "Chief Giver of the Family." When he is not on the farm, he is working as a Captain for the Des Moines Fire Department and is officially retired after 30 years of service for the Iowa Army National Guard.
If you’ve ever wandered through our website or followed along with our farm story on social media, you’ve likely experienced the heartfelt storytelling and creative magic of Christine. A Simpson College graduate, Christine is the storyteller, designer, and digital voice that brings the Rose Farm brand to life—infusing each word and image with warmth, beauty, and connection. Christine has been part of the Rose Farm journey since 2019, working alongside Karri from the very beginning as the dream first took root. As the behind-the-scenes orchestrator, she helps weave all the moving pieces together—guiding, coordinating, and ensuring that every vision blooms beautifully into reality. When she’s not crafting cheerful content for the farm, Christine is adventuring through life with her husband and three little ones—iced coffee in hand. She loves exploring the hidden gems of Des Moines, dreaming up her next family getaway, and finding beauty in the everyday.
Ali is the heart and hands behind Currently Co., her small-batch, luxury soy candle brand lovingly hand-poured right here in Des Moines. Every candle is crafted in her in-home studio with the very best soy wax, clean fragrances, and non-toxic ingredients—made to fill homes with light and joy. Her business began in 2020 when she created a custom candle for The Shoppe at Rose Farm, and watching it grow into the flourishing brand it is today has been such a gift. Since 2020, Ali has sold over 40,000 candles + thousands of room sprays, wax melts, perfumes + diffusers. Beyond candles, Ali is a wife, mom of three, Simpson College graduate, Jesus follower, native Iowan, and a true maker of beautiful things. Here at Rose Farm, you’ll often find Ali leading wreath + candle-making workshoppes, styling The Shoppe and greenhouse for the seasons, helping with special events, and pouring her creativity, positivity, and joy into everything she touches. She’s been part of our farm story since the very beginning, and we’re so grateful for her heart + talent.
Jeni joined the Rose Farm family in 2023 and has been inspiring our youngest farm guests ever since at Farm School. Each Friday throughout the summer, she brings learning to life with fun, hands-on lessons about pollinators, flowers, farm animals, birds, owls, frogs, worms, and so much more! Her classes are filled with energy, curiosity, and laughter — the perfect mix for growing young minds. Beyond Farm School, Jeni also lends her cheerful spirit to The Shoppe and our special celebrations, making every guest feel right at home. When she’s not at the farm or with her beautiful family, Jeni, a graduate of Central College, serves as the Assistant Director of Early Learning at the Science Center of Iowa and brings over 18 years of experience as an elementary teacher. Her passion for education, nature, and creativity shines through in everything she does. Jeni’s warm, bubbly personality and love for teaching, animals, reading, running, and travel make her such a bright part of the Rose Farm community. We’re so grateful for all she brings to our farm — and for the joy she shares with everyone she meets.
If you have contacted the farm, then you have more than likely spoken to our incredible celebration + design coordinator, Julie Mason. Julie has a beautiful gift for design + finds much joy in curating beautiful celebrations tailored to our Rose Farm guests. With a background in graphic design from Southwest Baptist University. Julie is able to bring our guest's special day to life through detailed sketches. Her sweet spirit puts everyone at ease. Julie plays a big role at the farm, designing florals, menus, and storyboards, as well as managing other important details for special celebrations. When she's not at the farm, Julie is busy keeping up with her three beautiful children + husband. They love wandering through national parks but will always love the city of Des Moines, too. As an artist in the Des Moines area, Julie is also passionate about creating gorgeous landscapes and florals with acrylic paint and a palette knife.
Elle is our incredible Education Coordinator + Business Office Administrator with a bright mind behind the scenes at Rose Farm. From keeping our numbers in check with payroll, taxes, reports, and all things QuickBooks + Excel, to ensuring our guests and team have the support they need—Elle keeps the wheels turning with grace and precision. Before bringing her talents to the farm, Elle spent 10 years with Aveda after graduating from The Aveda Institute Des Moines, in roles ranging from educator to business office coordinator at the Institute in West Des Moines. Her experience, attention to detail, and thoughtful leadership make her an invaluable part of our team. When she’s not at the farm, Elle enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and loved ones, attending Des Moines events, and traveling whenever she can. We are so grateful for Elle’s kind spirit, sharp mind, and unwavering dedication.
As a Busy Bee, Hadley brings heart, hustle, and versatility to Rose Farm. Her journey began in the winter of 2020, when she completed 50 hours of volunteer service for her Silver Cord, and she’s been part of our story ever since. Whether she’s curating specialty goods in The Shoppe or working alongside our Busy Bee flower farming team, Hadley’s presence is felt across the farm—from harvesting blooms + managing pests to supporting seed propagation + seasonal transitions. A proud alum of Martensdale St. Marys, she now attends Iowa State University, where she majors in Microbiology and Genetics and is preparing to take the MCAT in the coming year. Hadley is also a proud member of Kappa Delta, where serves as the Vice President-Inclusion. Her passion for science, leadership, and growth shines through in everything she does—both on campus and here at the farm. We’re so grateful for Hadley’s steady presence, curiosity, and commitment to making things bloom.
.avif)
We're buzzing with excitement as we celebrate our Lead Busy Bee, Maeve Maher! After earning her degree in theology from Benedictine College in Kansas, Maeve brought her heart, hustle, and sunshine straight to Rose Farm. You’ll find Maeve leading our field team with grace + grit—harvesting blooms, planting new life, tending to weeds, and keeping pests at bay (all while flashing her smile!). She’s also the magic behind many of our floral workshoppes + lectures, ensuring every petal is a perfect one. When Maeve is not at the farm, you’ll find her teaching 4th-6th grade history, literature and geography at St. Thomas Classical Academy. We’re endlessly grateful for Maeve’s steady leadership, joyful spirit, and willingness to dig in—rain or shine. She’s truly the heartbeat of our fields and a blessing to our entire Rose Farm family.
Karson first joined Rose Farm three years ago as a volunteer, and today she’s a true star on our Busy Bee team. She seamlessly buzzes between roles—helping in The Shoppe, working in the field, and assisting at special events. Wherever she goes, Karson brings her leadership, kindness, smile, and her “can-do” spirit. Karson is also an incredible student-athlete at Martensdale-St. Mary’s, where she’s a senior. She’s a National Honor Society and Best Buddies member, plus a powerhouse in cross country, track, cheerleading, and softball. She’s already made multiple trips to state for both cross country and track & field—breaking records along the way. We are SO grateful for all Karson brings to Rose Farm, and we can’t wait to see all the amazing places her future takes her.
Karter is a true MVP around the farmstead, seamlessly cross-pollinating between roles + lending a helping hand wherever it’s needed most. Whether he’s out in the fields planting, weeding, or harvesting blooms, assisting with workshoppe clean-up, or helping our celebration crew set the stage for memorable events, Karter does it all with heart, hustle, and a huge smile. He’s also part of our Victoria’s House grounds team and the go-to right hand for Mr. Rose — and we couldn’t be more thankful for his positive energy and dependable spirit. Kind, respectful, trustworthy, and always ready to roll up his sleeves, Karter embodies everything we love about farm life + community. He's currently a sophomore at Martensdale-St. Mary’s Jr/Sr High where he stays busy with FFA, Best Buddies, Student Council, Baseball, Track, and Cross Country — all while making time for friends + family.
We’re buzzing with appreciation for one of our very own — Rose Farm Busy Bee, Kylee! Kylee brings heart, hustle, and a whole lot of sunshine to our field crew. Whether she’s harvesting blooms, tackling weeds, or helping our gardens thrive, she does it all with a smile + dedication. Kylee is a sophomore at Martensdale-St. Mary’s Jr/Sr High, where she stays busy (no surprise there!) with volleyball, track, cheer, National Honor Society, Blue Devil Leaders, and Best Buddies. We’re so lucky to have Kylee on our team + we are thankful she shares her gifts with our farmstead.
Coming soon!
Meet Taylor, our newest Busy Bee! You’ll spot Taylor buzzing around during special celebrations + events, lending a hand at our workshoppes, and warmly welcoming guests inside The Shoppe. She loves connecting with visitors and hearing the heartwarming stories of what brought them to the farm. A proud University of Iowa graduate with a master’s in Counselor Education and Rehabilitation, Taylor has spent the past 12 years guiding students as a school counselor at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines. When she’s not at Dowling or the farm, you’ll likely find her exploring new places with her husband, spending time with family, running with friends, or baking up something sweet.
