About

"THE DREAM BEGAN IN MY BACKYARD."

"I've always loved flowers, even as a child. Fascinated by their perfection."

-Niesa Putigna

Growing a dream... literally.

Hi, I’m Niesa! My dream became a reality when my husband, Flor, and I purchased 13 acres and built our farmhouse in 2017. Flor and I, along with our 7 kids, moved in and settled into farm life. We have turkeys, goats, chickens, donkeys, pigs and milking cows! But where my childhood dreams really came true was in the rows of blossoming, unique plants that produce the most beautiful blooms full of fragrance and texture. I am in my element when I am in the potting shed, designing and arranging breathtaking arrangements of flowers that I picked just one hundred feet away. It was here that Farm Nine was founded.

In March 2018, Flor and I came up with a plan for our 13 acres. We gutted our yard and created rows of flower beds, installed irrigation, and built a hoop house. By the beginning of June, flowers were blooming and we had enough to offer at a market stand at the Winter Garden Farmer’s Market.

The meaning behind the name

We chose the name Farm Nine because we have a family of nine. Flor and I adopted two of our seven children from Ethiopia. Through thick and thin, it’s all about family and this business has been no different. Everyone plays a role – our older sons can operate the tractor, and the other children meticulously (not without some complaining :) help start thousands of seeds and make bouquets.

What's Next for Farm Nine...

Farm Nine currently supplies beautiful and unique flower arrangements for weddings and events in Central Florida. We are also selling bouquets and arrangements at the Winter Garden Farmer's Market every week and offer various special arrangements during all of the holidays. We locally deliver all of these items and also offer a Pick Up option.

The Farm is not open to the public, but we invite you to visit our shop on 4 S. Tubb St in Oakland, FL. Thanks!

Meet The Team

Niesa Putigna

Owner & Lead Florist

Having grown up amidst the rolling hills of Nashville, Tennessee, Niesa's passion for gardening and flowers has been ingrained in her since childhood. Partnering with her husband and their seven children, she embarked on a journey to establish a small cut flower farm in Oakland, Florida. It was here that her innate love for cultivation naturally evolved into a talent for floral design, where she found joy in curating arrangements for any occasion or celebration. Whether it's tending to her blossoming fields or crafting floral masterpieces, Niesa's days are dedicated to spreading love through the beauty of flowers.

Lize Landis

HR Director

Meet Lize (pronounced Leez-uh), Director or HR and Employee Relations. She holds a degree in International Business, is a certified Life Coach, and enjoys putting both those areas into practice at Farm Nine. Lize believes deeply in small businesses and loves being a part of the Farm Nine family. She grew up in South Africa until the age of 15, when her family moved to the United States. She and her husband Gregg have three lovely daughters and together love laughing, movies, chocolate, dancing, singing in the car, traveling, and spending time at the beach!

Bonnie McCue

Store Manager

Bonnie's professional world revolves around one simple truth: flowers are happiness. As a cherished member of the Farm Nine team, she considers it a privilege to play a role in brightening countless lives each day with the beauty of blooms. Beyond her professional endeavors, Bonnie finds immense joy in the simple pleasures of life, relishing precious moments spent with her husband, grown daughters, and high school son. While she serves as the glue that keeps our operations running smoothly at the store, her heart truly belongs on the ball field, where she finds solace and community amidst the cheers and camaraderie.

Irving Peay

Brand Advocate & Lead Market Coordinator

Originally from the US Navy, Irving now navigates the vibrant fields of Farm 9 with dedication and pride. A familiar face at the weekly Farmers Market and orchestrating deliveries and wedding strikes, Irving's commitment to excellence spans three fruitful years of serving our cherished customers. Ever approachable, he delights in engaging with patrons, discussing all things Farm 9-related with enthusiasm and expertise.

McKala Esteban

Wedding Designer

With a grateful heart, McKala has been a part of the floral industry since 2018 and Farm Nine since 2019. One of her favorite parts of working with flowers is finding the perfect stem for a specific arrangement, believing that each flower has a purpose which will positively impact the recipient. She believes locally sourced flower are an important way to care for each other while connecting to the Earth and God! She enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, gathering with friends, and dancing!

Lauren Walloch

Wedding Admin

Lauren managed and designed floral for over 10 years, and now brings her expertise into her new role. She keeps Farm Nine weddings on task and keeps up with communication for all of our wonderful couples. She was born and raised in Winter Park and has been married for 43 years. Lauren loves to spend time with her husband, 3 daughters, sons-in-law, and 5 gorgeous grandsons. She loves spending her paycheck on all the fun merchandise in our Tubb Street shop!

Paige Nethers

Marketing Director

Born and raised in Central Florida, Paige is thrilled to be the marketing director at Farm Nine. With over a decade of experience in the wedding industry, she seamlessly blends her expertise in growing and marketing a wedding brand, honed through her own business, Two Peas Paper Co. Paige's admiration for the beauty of flowers knows no bounds, and her passion for Farm Nine has been unwavering since its inception. Beyond her professional endeavors, she finds joy in cherishing moments with her husband and two children in their cozy abode nestled in downtown Winter Garden.

Ashley Lee Chong

Floral & Shop Staff

Ashley works as one of our floral assistants at Farm Nine. She has always had a knack for crafting and art, giving her an eye for arranging flowers. When she is not helping out at the shop or delivering some beautiful Farm Nine wedding flowers, she is drinking coffee, homeschooling her children, spending time outdoors with her family, running, and crafting!

Michaela Krueger

Floral & Shop Staff

Originally from Oxfordshire, England, Michaela found her love for flowers among the gardens of esteemed universities, where literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien and Lewis Carroll drew inspiration. With a background in Interior Design, she adorned vacation homes alongside her wonderful Mum, drawn to values of family and business ethics. Flowers, to Michaela, speak volumes in life's most precious moments. Her American husband, Nick, proposed amidst the blooms of Victoria Gardens in Epcot, knowing her love for florals. Now a mother of two, she believes in nurturing oneself to nourish others. Michaela finds solace in crafting amidst life's hustle. She is excited to share her passion for blooms and connections!