Creekside Growers: Where Passion Blossoms into Community and Beauty

In the lush, green fields of West Michigan, Creekside Growers has spent over two decades cultivating not just flowers, but also a deep sense of community. Since its founding in 2000 by Sue Dykstra, this family-owned operation has blossomed from a small, wholesale business into a cornerstone of the local floral industry, embodying the principles and passion that Certified American Grown represents.

Sue Dykstra’s journey with Creekside Growers began with a focus on perennials and annuals for the wholesale market. However, with the support of her family, she soon expanded into retail, establishing a garden center that quickly became beloved by the local community. In 2016, driven by her passion for fresh, homegrown products, Sue added a cutting and vegetable garden to Creekside’s offerings. What started as a modest half-acre has now grown into over three acres of vibrant flowers, shrubs, and grasses, all cultivated with a commitment to the local flower movement—a movement that resonates deeply with the mission of Certified American Grown.

Sue’s roots in a small Midwestern farming community instilled in her the value of supporting local businesses, a principle that aligns perfectly with the Certified American Grown ethos. In West Michigan, it’s common to buy locally raised meat or homegrown vegetables, but locally sourced flowers are a relatively new offering. Creekside Growers has elevated this concept, producing high-quality stems for the floral and event industries. Sue’s determination to provide an ethical, beautiful alternative to imported flowers—often burdened with chemical treatments and questionable labor practices—has set a new standard in West Michigan.

In 2022, Creekside Growers made a significant step by joining Certified American Grown, solidifying their dedication to supporting American-grown flowers and foliage. This decision was more than just a business move; it was a pledge to educate their community, including florists, designers, and consumers, about the importance of choosing locally grown blooms. Today, the farm-grown stems from Creekside fill the coolers of local florists and designers, and are featured in their own retail orders. From everyday bouquets to poignant funeral arrangements and enchanting wedding designs, every creation from Creekside is crafted with 100% homegrown products.

Creekside Growers’ commitment to community goes beyond flowers. Sue, alongside Kelly Lewis, has led the establishment of the West Michigan Flower Market, a collective that allows local growers to pool resources and better meet the demands of area designers. Launched in 2023, this initiative has been transformative, making it easier for designers to access fresh, locally grown flowers, and helping to place West Michigan’s blooms on the map.

This September, Creekside Growers will proudly host one of the Certified American Grown Field to Vase Dinners, an event that holds special significance for them. As they prepare their farm—tending to the fields and perfecting the picturesque backdrop—they look forward to an evening that will celebrate the beauty of locally grown flowers and the strong sense of community that defines West Michigan. Guests will be surrounded by heirloom mums, dahlias, zinnias, lisianthus, clematis, and lush greenery, all cultivated right on the farm. It promises to be an enchanting evening where new friendships will be forged, the American Grown Movement will be celebrated, and the splendor of Michigan-grown flowers will be on full display.

Tickets are limited so reserve your seat today for an unforgettable evening!