About Us

Hi, y’all! My name is Autumn Endress and the gal in my arms is Francine – we’ll get to her in a minute. We’re both SO happy you’ve stumbled upon our corner of the internet! I’m the owner and grower here at Endress Acres.

I’ve wanted to be a small business owner since I was 12 years old, daydreaming about owning my local ski hill. I may not have the ski hill, but arguably, I’ve found something better: flowers. Some of my earliest childhood memories include my momma, Shelby, hauling me from greenhouse-to-greenhouse for flowers at our home. It was in those greenhouses that my love of flowers grew (see what I did there!). With so many options, colors, and varieties, I fell in love with the flowers in front of me. Fast forward several years later, and a little dream was born: Endress Acres.

In the Spring of 2022, my now husband, Xavier, and I stumbled upon our now house: a stunning, but neglected Greek Revival-Style Estate in Rochester, MI. Everyone told us it was a terrible idea, but that’s what we liked most about the house. Out of everyone that saw our home, we felt like we were the only two that could appreciate all the hard work (and at times, no running water, or usable toilets) and beauty she could be restored back to. Prior to closing on our home, we’d made a “quick” trip to Tractor Supply…during CHICK SEASON. I told Xavier I’d “just look” at the chicks. YOU KNOW we came home with them, right? Is it just me or do all flower farmers start out as “just raising some chicks.” Francine was in our first group. 

That winter, during a sleepless night, I opened my Instagram and happened to stumble across a flower. Not just any flower though, arguably, THE flower: a Dahlia. She was stunning. Then, I found more of them. The next thing I knew, I was calling my mom and telling her I was starting a flower farm. That was in February of 2023. I spent the next several weeks absorbed in flower farming: best practices, best flowers, where to buy, how to plant, how to maximize yields, you name it and I learned. By early spring, I had rented a tractor, plowed down a field, and started making my raised beds. I took cuttings of dahlias ordered earlier and watched (in shock, mostly) as they sprouted and came to life – much like the tubers I’d planted in my field. By late summer, those tubers erupted into every color and form imaginable. I felt like I was living in a dream. Every day that I'd walk out to my little "field of dreams," I'd grow more and more content with where life was telling me I must go. 

Best of all, I met all of you. Every time someone stopped over or ordered flowers, I felt like I’d made a friend for life. I'm so excited to keep that trend alive. I'm planning a big second year with new dahlia colors, new cut flowers, and a bigger field. Thank you so much for believing in my little dream! I can’t wait to show you what’s next!

With Love and Many Thanks,

Autumn Endress

 

Image: Roam Life Photos