Episode 25: Brett Chisholm - Launch a Farm, Build a Community

Liss’N Kristi

This week, on Liss 'N Kristi:-
A decade ago, Brett and his husband Ryan quit their jobs in marketing and publishing, swapped their lace-up office shoes for Crocs and Wellingtons, and headed for the Texas countryside. They launched and built what has since been named Three Dudes Farm, specializing in cultivating florals and foliage and supplying local florists and designers with locally-grown blooms and plants. (The "third Dude" is their son, born in 2017.)
They're now launching an 'offshoot' initiative: curating breathtaking bouquets for individual subscribers.
Their vision for their Montgomery, TX. farm is a community space of growing fields, educational gardens, artist cottages, and vibrant event venues.
In this episode, as Brett walks through the property, we discuss how their business emphasizes not just flowers, but the entire ecosystem, preserving soil health, conserving water, supporting native plants, and fostering a thriving pollinator community.
Brett talks openly about his mental health challenges and explains how gardening first revived his spirits. We hear about how they've accumulated many rescue dogs, cats, horses, and some sheep, goats, and chickens along the way.
STORIES
00:00 Start
00:11 Introducing Brett Chisholm and his passion for flowers
00:45 What they're growing for summer
04:35 "Farmers don't connect with customers anymore" - barriers to entry into farming
05:12 "People are ready for connection"
05:45 Brett talks about his vulnerability with mental health. "Growing flowers affected my turnaround."
06:30 "You can't be a control freak in the garden."
07:04 The support of local businesses, and creating a family experience
07:40 Flowers bring joy
08:50 Gardening as therapy
09:40 A whole bunch of rescued animals - journeys I've been on
10:40 "I put $600 into this business and I never looked back."
11:40 "I can be me, and I can be unique"
13:09 "I'm not the only one who is searching for meaning"
15:32 Dancing in the field
16:28 Fresh flowers every month via subscription
17:45 Drought and rain
18:34 What's next? Build a members' only center: "This is where you come to experience joy"
20:15 Teach other farmers how to market