Helping Hands, Blooming Lands

By Merrie Schamberger and Krisann McElvain

Melanie Kalmerton always dreamed of having a countryside garden. Growing up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and attending the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, she set sights on a career in conservation with the aspirations of having her own home plot of land to tend and grow outside of her workday. While in college, Melanie volunteered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Wisconsin as a member of the Earth Team. This allowed her to transition to an intermittent employment position with the USDA-NRCS Oshkosh Service Center, where she worked with Resource Conservationist, Merrie Schamberger, and other NRCS staff on a variety of conservation-related projects. She even received on-the-job training with NRCS engineers working on some of the more complex conservation practice implementations.

After graduating with her degree in Environmental Science and Geology, Melanie and her husband, Grant, purchased their first home in rural Pickett, Wisconsin, on three acres of land where Melanie decided to literally put down roots and start her dream garden. She landed a job with the Fond du Lac County Land Department as a Watershed Coordinator, a role she filled for nearly the following decade. As a Watershed Coordinator, Melanie collaborated with several Wisconsin conservation partners through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). Immersed in the implementation of water quality projects and installing conservation practices in her professional life, naturally Melanie knew she would enlist the assistance of NRCS voluntary conservation programs as she embarked on the next chapter of her career.

In 2021, Melanie and Grant decided to take the leap and open North Road Flower Farm on their Pickett home property, starting with growing flowers from their vegetable garden to make and sell a few bouquets per week. To expand their production capabilities and keep up with the growing demand for specialty-cut flowers, they applied for financial and technical assistance through EQIP. This time as a customer, Melanie once again partnered with her former supervisor Merrie, along with a few new NRCS Wisconsin faces since her time working for the agency. In 2023, with the assistance of EQIP funding, they installed a High Tunnel System on the farm, which provided cover and protection to their delicate flowers from the harsh Wisconsin winter elements. The high tunnel also allowed them to start growing much earlier in the year to provide fresh cut flowers in high demand for Mother’s Day and the busy summer wedding season.

Since the installation of their high tunnel, North Road Flower Farm has grown to be able to serve both wholesale and retail customers in the local area with thousands of stems per week during the growing season, which now lasts through November thanks to their high tunnel. “Without the help of Merrie and Levi [Schultz, NRCS-WI Soil Conservationist] through EQIP, we would not have built a high tunnel to help with early season production," Melanie said.

Continuing the expansion of their business, the Kalmertons applied for the NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) which helped them to plant flowering shrubs and Cover Crops that not only provide habitat to pollinators but help protect the soil in the off season. Given her professional history, Melanie has been exceptionally attentive to the marked improvement in soil health since implementing cover crops. "We love learning more about our soil and practices that help us grow the best quality flowers possible," said Melanie. Diversifying their planting has also led to the development of new products for sale on the farm; they offer wreath-making events to the community in the cooler months using dried flowers and curated pieces from the flowering shrubs.

Melanie is proud of the work they have done to transform their modest acreage into a successful flower farming operation. North Road Flower Farm now has two employees in addition to Melanie, while Grant continues to work full-time off the farm. Beyond working with her customers, one of Melanie’s favorite parts of her career shift is experimenting with planting dates and flower types. She remains deeply committed to refining both the types of flowers they cultivate and the sustainable practices they use to grow their business. Looking ahead, they hope to install an additional High Tunnel System through their EQIP contract, with the long-term goal to make their biggest dream yet become reality by purchasing a larger property. With support from NRCS programs and resources, they plan to implement large-scale conservation practices like planting native prairies, oak savannah, perennials, and trees.

“In the 12 years that I've known Melanie, she has always been passionate about the environment and conservation,” said Merrie. “It's so rewarding to see her moving through stages of life, going from a volunteer with NRCS, to a farmer implementing conservation on her own land. It’s so inspiring, and it’s what makes my job worthwhile.”