Menu
Nothing drives me to plaster down words faster than an encounter with excellence in human spirit. My meeting with Sue Carney was such an encounter, and so I am delighted to share this story with our readers.
Sue Carney is an interesting character. As I wrote this, I imagined she would smile upon reading it, and those that know her might even give a hardy chuckle. She saw a need in the community and met it with free bouquets, as suggested by the name of her project: On the House Bouquets. In a small roadside stand shaped like a tiny house are bouquets prepared for anyone who may feel welcome to take one.
Wanting to learn more about the inspiration behind Bouquets on the House, Sue kindly obliged. I pulled up beside a red house utterly engulfed by blossoms. Sue led me through the maze of gravel pathways segmenting her yard, the entirety of which had been transformed into a forest of flowers. The space was restorative and inspiring. So many varieties of green lifted a plethora of buds and blossoms. Inviting me into her home for a cup of coffee, Sue sat me down at a sturdy table surrounded by even more green things. Rehydrating green things, she informed me. A stem drooped elegantly, I thought, but she poked it deeper into the pitcher of water as her mouth made a critical sideward slant.
“I’m not great as bossing people around,” Sue stated, “I don’t have a lot of that confidence business,” she laughed, remembering her early efforts with the Elementary Garden. As time moved forward, Sue found her own joy growing elsewhere within her own front yard near the school.
Loving her work with children, Sue has endeavored to provide meaningful experiences to kids in green spaces. She has offered winter sowing workshops that teach kids to plant underneath milk jugs and has also facilitated art education by offering her garden as subject matter. Alongside her work with the youth, Sue has made her bouquets accessible to folks of all ages through her roadside bouquet stand fashioned as a miniature house.
“People stop and tell stories,” Sue shared. One bouquet was delivered to a sickly person’s bedside. The recipient hadn’t seen that variety of flower since she was in Poland. The woman passed away two weeks after receiving the bouquet. The person who picked up the bouquet stopped to share the story and her gratitude with Sue.
“The garden has a lot of people, which is nice,” Sue smiled warmly, “One kid brought two jars back with a note: ‘I brought these back to give two other mommies flowers.’”
Sue expressed her appreciation for the community’s support as her project continued to grow. Some gave flowers and a bit of their time. Others: company and encouragement. Locals have shared perennials: loose strife and daisies. Sue found herself wanting to give something back- the generosity of other gardeners inspired her to find her own way of moving the kindness forward.
“It’s fun and I’m lucky. Many friends and gardeners have influenced me over the years. Every gardener has their thing.” Sue noted the sources of inspiration and knowledge from other floral enthusiasts, both near and far.
Locally, Betsy Busche, the creative force behind Spongetta’s Garden, offered a starting point from which Sue continued to grow. Sue’s rapidly expanding network soon included other cut flower enthusiasts in New York, including Master Gardener Carla Crim, and Lorraine McNulty, a local who runs an annual plant sale in West Winfield. Other champions of Sue’s mission are Elizabeth and John Schoonmaker who have contributed flowers, as well as helped redesign and rebuild Sue’s roadside bouquet stand.
Benefiting from the broad expanse of the internet, Sue continued to build her network by seeking opportunities for deep learning. It was this online community that ultimately helped Sue find her own groove.
“Instagram influencer Lori Hernandez of @Three.Acres.Farm.mi is my plant teacher. I did a Zoom for personal development with her. She had a vision of a yard full of flowers and decided that was what she needed to do,” Sue recalled. “I love her because she’s kind of normal… she likes whiskey and J.R.R. Tolken.” Also a part of Sue’s online network is the Instagram Influencer @little.free.florist whose house provided the model Sue adopted for her own.
“I try to pass the torch- to share things like flowers, kits, and knowledge,” said Sue. “Finding need and making that meaningful connection- adding a pen, chocolate, or tags to the bouquets…” Sue waved her hands and conjured some of these items to the table. The bouquets took on a whole new element of thoughtfulness with these additions, creating a package of appreciation and care.
Sue isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. She hopes her bouquets will inspire others to find their own way of celebrating kindness. Our community, both locally and online, has been grateful for her bouquets as they continue to bring a pop of joy to us all. On the House.
Cameron Burke is part of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County team. She’s an advocate for nutrition security and sustainable food systems, believing in the power of human connections, education, and grit to build resilient food systems. Cameron has committed herself to fostering bonds between communities and their food, promoting local farmers, artisans, and producers for their invaluable contributions. Her passion for food and community drives positive change and meaningful connections in the local food movement.
Article published September 6, 2024.
The Herkimer Agricultural Council is coordinated by the staff of Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer. If you are interested in the work of the council or have a question about agriculture, local foods or starting an agricultural business, contact us today!
This website is a project of the Herkimer Agricultural Council which is dedicated to promoting the farm economy in Herkimer County,
managed by Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County. Additional support from the Community Foundation of
Herkimer and Oneida Counties and the Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency made this website possible.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County
Cultivate Herkimer is a resource for all of Herkimer County New York, including: Cold Brook, Dolgeville, Fairfield, Frankfort, Herkimer, Ilion, Litchfield, Little Falls, Middleville, Mohawk, Newport, Old Forge, Poland, Salisbury, and West Winfield.
Inclusion on this website does not imply a recommendation or endorsement. Omissions are not intended.
Reprinting: Unless otherwise noted, permission is granted to reproduce material appearing on this website upon notification of the author, providing that full acknowledgement is made of the source and no charge is made without approval.
