Overcoming Tragedy with Pepperharrow Farm (SFFF43)
In the world of flower farming, resilience is key. No one knows this better than Jenn and Adam O’Neal of Pepperharrow Farm, a 60-acre flower farm in Winterset, Iowa, known for its breathtaking lavender fields, dahlias, and agritourism events. But in 2022, their farm faced unimaginable devastation when a tornado tore through their land, destroying infrastructure, crops, and their livelihood. In this post, we’ll explore their journey of overcoming disaster, rebuilding a flower farm, and preparing for future emergencies.
Surviving a Tornado: A Flower Farmer’s Worst Nightmare
On March 5, 2022, a tornado struck Pepperharrow Farm, leaving destruction in its wake. Jenn and Adam, along with their children and guests, took shelter in their basement as the storm hit. In just a few minutes, they lost greenhouses, high tunnels, an event barn, and even their lavender fields, a key part of their farm’s business.
Despite the devastation, the couple quickly shifted into recovery mode, focusing on rebuilding essential farm infrastructure and restoring their lavender production. The support from their local and flower farming communities was instrumental in helping them get back on their feet.
Rebuilding a Farm After a Natural Disaster
Rebuilding after a disaster isn’t just about physical repairs—it’s about strategic planning, financial management, and emotional resilience. Jenn and Adam focused on prioritizing essential structures, including their propagation house and high tunnels, ensuring they could continue growing flowers. They also learned valuable lessons about insurance coverage for farms, including the importance of documenting assets with video and regularly updating policies.
One of their biggest challenges was the loss of their lavender fields, a major source of their business. Instead of giving up, they saw an opportunity to reimagine their lavender fields, planting in in a new way for agritourism experiences. This transformation led to the creation of their first-ever Lavender Festival, scheduled for June 20-21, 2025.
Lessons for Farmers: Preparing for the Unexpected
For fellow flower farmers, homesteaders, and small business owners, Jenn and Adam’s experience offers valuable takeaways:
Review and update your farm insurance policy regularly to ensure full coverage for natural disasters.
Document farm infrastructure with videos and photos to simplify insurance claims.
Create an emergency plan for farm events and operations in case of extreme weather.
Lean on your community—whether it’s local neighbors or the flower farming industry, having a strong support system can make all the difference.
See setbacks as opportunities—Pepperharrow Farm used their loss to expand their business, leading to new flower-focused agritourism experiences.
Visit Pepperharrow Farms
Now stronger than ever, Pepperharrow Farm invites visitors to experience the beauty of their rebuilt flower farm. Their Lavender Festival held each June, showcases the farm’s breathtaking lavender fields, floral workshops, and agritourism experiences.
Learn more about their journey, attend a farm workshop, or visit for a U-cut flower event at PepperharrowFarm.com.
For more inspiration, follow Pepperharrow Farm on Instagram!
