Allan Groen and Manja Bastian
Allan Groen and Manja Bastian jokingly describe themselves as, “the most boring couple you’ll ever meet, a librarian and an accountant”. After working and traveling overseas, these two former city slickers retired to the country and realized they needed to add some excitement back into their lives. With a nod to their Dutch heritage, in the Fall of 2019, they started Green Corners U-pick Tulip Farm on their 13 acres in Ottawa. They have since expanded into other seasonal flowers like sunflowers, snapdragons, and zinnias. They are always willing to share the beauty of blooms with their new community of friends.
Alanna Groen-Brunsting
Alanna has always felt like she could work anywhere as long as she liked her co-workers. Thank goodness she likes her parents, her co-owners at Green Corners! Alanna worked as a nurse but decided to change careers after starting her family. She currently decides what flowers and varieties we grow, starts those flowers from seed, coordinates with staff to get the flowers planted, and is a familiar face with customers at the check in station. She is the point person for our bouquet subscriptions and typically designs each subscription bouquets.
Don’t be surprised if you see Alanna’s two young children “helping” around the farm!