This North Georgia Flower Farm Is Cultivating Blooms And Supporting A Meaningful Cause

For Collin Lines planting flowers is about more than just pretty bouquets. It’s her way of joining the fight against breast cancer. While she’s always had a love for fresh blooms, it wasn’t until 2016 that she had the idea to open Zinnia Happiness Farms, a small you-pick spot in Tiger, Georgia, where all the proceeds go toward breast cancer research.

How It Started

"I was clipping zinnias in the garden one day and started thinking about my friend Andrea who had passed away from breast cancer and how much she would love to be here cutting flowers with me," says Lines, whose grandmother, mother, and sister also battled the disease. "As I was standing out there, it was hot, the bugs were out, and I was thinking, 'Poor me.' All of a sudden, remembering these four women and what they went through, I realized I had nothing to complain about. I decided thatI would plant more zinnias and start a farm."

Growing Support

In her first year, Lines raised $300. But that amount has grown since then. With strong local support and the help of donors to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, who matched and increased contributions from Zinnia Happiness Farms, $30,000 was raised in 2022 alone. "That’s not bad for a little, tiny flower farm when every dollar counts," says Lines. "It’s a win-win situation for everyone. People get to take home beautiful flowers and donate toward a cure."

Meaningful Stories

Many who show up to pick zinnias season after season are former breast cancer patients themselves. "Last year, we had a few women actively fighting the disease, and we were able to support them," says Lines. "The highlight for me is hoping that others might do something like this in their own communities. It doesn’t always have to be for the same cause but for something that’s meaningful to them."

Plan Your Visit

Zinnia Happiness Farms is open Wednesday and Friday mornings from early July through mid-October (dates vary from season to season). You can pick about 20 stems for a $10 donation, but many visitors give more. “I think it really does just bring out the best in people,” says Lines. To come at another time or on a different day, reach out to the farm in advance.

4 Reasons To Plant Zinnias In Your Own Garden

• Minimal maintenance. "They’re drought resistant, easy to grow, and kind of just do their thing," says Lines.
• Colorful surprises. "The seeds are typically sold as a mixture, so you don’t really know what you’re getting," explains the grower. "Each one has its own personality, so they’re all a little different but always look good together."
  
• Abundant bounty. "The more you cut them, the more they’ll grow and the more flowers you’ll get," she says.
  
• Unique appeal. "You’re less likely to find them in a grocery store, so they feel extra special and fun," says Lines.