The Hughes family have worked 600 acres atop the Cumberland Plateau on a beautiful spread known as Flat Top Mountain Farm since 1820. The current head of the family Terry Hughes said, “My fourth great grandpa is buried in our cemetery.”
After 40-years of vegetable farming, Terry and his wife Diane decided to dial it down a dab and grow flowers.
Visitors are allowed to roam freely among the red, purple, yellow, pink and white zinnias.
A gentle breeze kept the flowers waving while people picked and bees collected nectar.
It was a peaceful day for all God’s critters to enjoy the beauty of nature’s handiwork.
It’s hard not to be happy in a flower patch, and all the pickers we encountered were oohing, awing, and smiling, while their cares were temporarily banished.
What could make an ideal day filled with eye-popping zinnias better? Acres of sunflowers, of course.
Sunflowers, sunshine and a beaming smile are a beautiful combination.
The Hughes have three kids and seven grandkids that live in houses on the farm and continue the family tradition. They raise pigs and cattle, corn to feed them and tons of vegetables.
Flowers were $12 for all you could stuff into each pot. Bring your pot back next time and only pay $10.
Flat Top Mountain Farm’s FB page says, “We are a seasonal working farm offering u-pick flowers and fall pumpkin patch and corn maze and 30 acres of sunflowers. U-pick flowers being mid-summer with the fall pumpkin patch and corn maze starting the third weekend in September.” I would add, “Prepare for endless smiles and relaxed feelings when you get there.”