Mae Flowers Farm was co-founded by A.J. Walton and Steven Chewning, friends since their college days at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Both raised in small towns in North Carolina, we grew up surrounded by nature, which fostered a deep appreciation for connecting with the earth and the simple rhythms of life. During college, when we weren’t watching UNC basketball or pulling pranks on one another, we often reminisced about our similar small-town upbringings, always competing to "out small-town" our friends. (For the record, A.J. still holds the title, despite Steven's stronger Southern accent.)

After college, Steven settled in Sanford with his wife, Meghan, and their two sons. His career has been in chaplaincy —specifically in oncology and hospice settings. Meanwhile, A.J. 's career took him from Durham to Charlottesville, and then eventually to New York City, where he lived for 11 years. Though life led us in different directions, we stayed close, supporting each other through every chapter. Eventually, we decided to reconnect to our roots by turning a shared love of flowers into Mae Flowers Farm - named in honor of our beloved grandmothers.

We believe flowers speak to us during life’s pivotal moments—whether in celebration, sorrow, or when words simply aren’t enough. This belief became the heart of our mission: to create something that brings joy, comfort, and beauty to others.

Now, as two nearly 40-year-olds, we’ve swapped pranks for discussions about the best time to harvest flowers (and tips on handling achy backs and joint pain). We're grateful you’ve joined us on this journey, and with your support, we hope to grow Mae Flowers Farm into a full-time endeavor, spreading joy for years to come.

At the very least, we’ll try not to pull any muscles in the process. Though, let’s be honest, a little back pain is inevitable—but worth it!