Ben and Mimi, owners of Brown Dog Flower Farm, are currently working hard to recover after a devastating fire swept through their property, destroying their barn, greenhouse, and flower cooler. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The timing couldn’t have been worse. Alaska’s short flower season means demand is high, and the loss comes at a critical moment for the farm.
“We were really surprised to see the whole thing on fire suddenly, because it felt like it came out of nowhere,” said Ben Swimm, reflecting on the unexpected blaze.
The fire destroyed many of their plants, particularly those stored in the structures, including some of their later season varieties. Despite the loss, Ben and Mimi have already begun reseeding and are grateful for support from neighboring farmers.
“We did lose a bunch of plants that were in the structure… Some of our later season plants, and we’re reseeding those. Other local farmers are giving us some space,” Ben explained.
The couple has also been able to secure borrowed cooler space, a vital resource as they begin harvesting flowers again. However, they acknowledge the urgent need to rebuild their own cooler in time for the busy summer months.
“We’re just starting to harvest flowers and we have some borrowed cooler space, but we need to build a new one before we get our big rush flowers in July and August,” Ben said.
The cost to replace the barn is still unknown, but Ben admits that the expense is daunting.
“The value of replacing it is like, not something we can afford right now, but we’re trying to figure out how to rebuild,” he said.
Despite the challenges this season will bring, Ben and Mimi are determined to meet flower demand and fulfill all wedding and subscription orders. Their resilience and hope remain strong as they work toward recovery and continue to nurture their farm.
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