Cut flower farm wins Starke Tank pitch competition
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A North Judson-based cut flower farm is this year’s winner of the Starke Tank Countywide Small Business Pitch Competition.
Lewellen Blooms LLC offers direct-to-customer and florist fresh flowers as well as a flower subscription and event and wedding arrangements.
The business will receive $10,000 and a one-year Starke County Chamber of Commerce membership. Owners Lewis and Joellen Matzat plan to create a business website, build a greenhouse, and add more flowers, land, staff and an irrigation system. The irrigation system is expected to add an acre of tillable ground for a sunflower field to boost their agritourism.
Second place is Papa Farm Pizza in downtown Knox. Owners Lenny and Julie Dessauer serve wood-fired pizzas from both a storefront and a trailer.
The $5,000 prize will go toward a new hood vent, larger fryer and a cooktop.
“Starke Tank is unique because all of the prize money comes from local sources,” SCEDF Executive Director Lisa Dan said in a news release.
The City of Knox was the presenting sponsor. Funding also came from local utilities, solar developers, banks, realtors and the service industry.
This year was the fourth annual pitch competition with a field of nine contestants. Businesses must be established, grown or expanded in Starke County to be eligible.