Anne Burnett

Fresh. Inspired. Approachable.

Owner/Operator, Atland Skye Flowers

Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Age: 29

Education: Bard College, B.A. Philosophy

Anne Burnett is one of the farmers at North Point Community Farm. She loves the here and now of farming and the complete cycle of life that farmers cultivate. Though starting with vegetable farming, she found true contentment in the beauty of flower farming and hopes to get into more design work in the future.

What part of your company’s culture do you value the most and why?

I’m proud of the way my business model is built to help foster a mutually supportive floral community of designers and growers.

Tell us about your community involvement.

I coordinated a flower donation program with the Department of Volunteer Services at CVPH, and I donate flowers to the hospital every week during my growing season!

Who are your mentors and role models who have shaped your leadership style?

I’m very inspired by a past co-worker and friend of mine from my vegetable farming days who is a textile artist-turned-farmer. She was the first person to exemplify for me not only that farming is an art, but how it’s adjacent and related to other creative fields. I’m always striving to bring the same sense of organization and craftsmanship to my growing that she does, and to approach my work with an interdisciplinary mindset.

What important lesson have you learned in your career?

That setbacks and curveballs almost always happen for a reason that works better for you in the end.

What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?

Definitely starting a business!

How can the North Country improve its’ Gen IQ (Gen IQ defined as an ability to lead, market to or innovate with multi-generational workplaces and marketplace)?

I think creating more networking opportunities (like this initiative!) for younger generations to get to know the opportunities and resources available to them in the community goes a long way. Specifically, I think programs that could create diversified accessibility to infrastructure and pre-existing storefronts would be a great way to link the past with the present in order to ensure a secure, innovative future.