About Us
The Farmers
The passion to dig in the dirt and grow is something that the IrmaLea Fields farmers were born with Laura Irma Conrad is located in a country setting in the rolling James River Valley in her childhood home near Forestburg, SD. Laura Lea Licht is conveniently located on Hwy 34 West of her hometown of Fedora, SD. For us, farming is not just a way to make a living doing something we love, but also a way to bring joy to others. On any given day you can typically find us enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer, whether it's catching some sun rays, mothering our farm animals (and children), or experimenting with our next garden adventure. We can't wait to connect with the community and supply all of you with fresh bouquets and produce for years to come.
-Love-
IrmaLea Fields
Laura Lea
Laura Lea-the story behind the flower farmer.
As I was thumbing through pictures just the other day, I came across a world map and had to laugh thinking what my intentions might have been. Growing up I dreamed of all the faraway lands knowing I hadn’t even skimmed the initial layer of what life had to offer.
Being the only kid in a town of less than 30 (on a good year) left me longing for so much more. When graduation rolled around, I had all but pulled the trigger on a two-week vacation to a foreign land with a trustworthy buddy and a bag of dreams. That trip was kiboshed just hours from me purchasing my ticket due to one nosey parent that had caught wind of our rebel spirited adventure.
Fast-forward a few years later (10 to be exact) and the story goes that I punched my ticket, and this time gave my adult self the greenlight. Everything happens for a reason and I’m sure it wouldn’t have ended well. Most of the time mama’s know best…right???
I left my small town for a few years, first college, and then a job that led me to a town of way more than 30
The hustle and bustle was what was necessary for the realization that you can take the girl out of the small town, but you can’t take the small town out of the girl! After 11 years, I hung up my dental tools and came back to little ol’ Fedora with my country, hunting, plant lovin’, soldier boy, and a bun in the oven. When I left I knew I wanted to return “home” I just can’t believe I waited so long.
Farming has always been in my family and as the FFA creed states “I believe in the future of agriculture.” Through the gutting and remodeling of a house we made our home and planning for a new arrival (that baby’s room still isn’t finished) Tim and I sewed down some real roots- in the form of apples, peaches and pears. My dream was always to work the land, and to not only become a mom to a couple of cute humans, but a crazy chicken lady, rabbit, cat, and dog lover along the way.
A single picture stands out in my mind and although it’s off centered and quite blurry it strikes an emotion in me that can not be suppressed. It feels like just yesterday that I was in my own mother’s garden spoiling my supper with all the fresh goods.
She wore a ball cap to hide what the chemotherapy had taken away, and some comfy sweatpants, just sitting there admiring THAT ONE TULIP! Sometimes happiness isn’t far away- and on this day and in this moment, it was this lone flower. On good days we “stop and smell the roses” and on her last day it was sunflowers that said our final farewell. Flowers are emotions! Not a day will go by that I won’t think of that very special picture and the fact that “home is where your garden grows.”
-Life is short, enjoy the ride-
A special Thank you to my husband Tim and two babies Sullivan and Felix- Our four legged bearded hounds Aggie, Keefer and Gretta!
Thank You for hopping in the passenger seat with IrmaLea Fields
Laura Irma
Laura Irma – The story behind your flower farmer
This isn’t my first “rodeo” as the expression goes. I may be dipping my toes in the flower farming realm of gardening, but my whole life has been centered around growing and gardening. Just. About. Everything!
It started with a pledge many, many years ago. It’s a good motto, and in each trip around the sun it makes a little more sense. “To Make the Best Better.” Head, Heart, Hands, Health…ahh the 4-H way.
My childhood summers revolved around 4-H everything. Animals, dress revue, judging teams, public speaking and on and on. For as long as can be remembered, farming has been the chosen lifestyle. Taking the tiniest of seed and watching it grow continues to be a passion that I now get the pleasure of sharing with a community that has an amazing sense of family.
The memories are always fond when thinking back to my own times in the garden, whether planting rows of potatoes with my dad, 4 o’clocks with my mom, picking peonies with Grandma Selma, or admiring Grandma Irma’s large crop of hollyhocks. Things have changed, and some that we love have now passed, but one thing stands true, growing flowers has the ability to ignite emotions we weren’t sure existed. Happiness first & foremost, but sometimes condolences, love, friendship or a just because. Just because life is short- make a good go of it! And treat yourself to flowers or course!
This process is about learning, learning the steps from seedling to bouquet & mastering the steps along the way. This is what is exciting and fun for me, and maybe just so slightly frustrating, but if you love to grow & you love to make others smile- Grow Flowers.
The excitement is radiating and the ride with IrmaLea Fields has started out as a fulfillment to a lifelong dream of not just growing flowers, but smiles
There is a whole list of loved ones who have made me who I am & the reason I “plan for the future & plant a garden.”
Thank You to everyone who has signed up to “Grow with us!”
Thanks to my family for entertaining this crazy dream of mine! I love you, Lance, Devyn, Reed, and Olivia. Never to be overlooked Betty the Bulldog, Abby the Black Lab, MoJo the Chihuahua and our pretty felines Sunny, Billy, & KitKat.