F A R M G I R L
K R I S T I K O Z I O L E K
When I first met Kristi, I was standing behind the will call pickup counter of Len Busch, awaiting my cut flower order. It’s a hub for pickups for anything plant & floral available for people in such industry.
In walks in a vibrant soul with the coolest short bangs like the pinup girls back in the day. Her eyewear also making a statement. It’s been a minute since I’ve seen such outward creativity. Since moving to Minnesota, I’m especially drawn to such personalities as it reminds me a bit of home (back in LA). I feel they end up always being individuals of depth and life experience. I couldn’t help but chat her up despite being half distracted, wrangling my kids. This is why we were “behind” the pick up counter to begin with (avoiding foul play in the warehouse). Her name was Kristi, also known as FARM GIRL.
“Last spring I interviewed at the 5 time ‘best restaurant in the world’, Noma in Copenhagen to be their head gardener. I didn’t get the job (obvs- I’d be in Denmark right now) but it served as a confidence boost and helped me to remember where my passions lie.”
I rest my case. She’s a story teller worth the read. I present to you the talented eye and hand: Kristi, the original FARM GIRL
Photo Credit: NIRA VIDA (captured on film). So much so, that my camera thinks it’s 1994. Work with me here.
Jewelry was hand forged by local silversmith, Sarah Flicek, of Felixery
NIRA VIDA: If we were to meet at a party, how would you describe what you do for a living?
FARM GIRL: I’m a landscape gardener who specializes in residential and restaurant gardens. I’m also an artist and have dabbled in everything from wedding florals to fundraising to hosting house concerts and so much in between.
How did you first get started in what you are doing today?
When I was ~21, I commuted from Minneapolis to the country to work at Riverbend Farm, an organic vegetable farm by Delano. One day, the neighbor came to visit the field in her golf cart and Greg said “maybe you’d rather work for Cathy”. I enthusiastically agreed, having no real idea what Cathy’s business did or that there was even a job that existed to be someone’s gardener. That was 20 years ago and, aside from 1 year that I worked in a ceramics studio, I’ve been doing it ever since!
Are you from Minnesota? Where are you from and where have you lived?
Yep, sure am! I grew up in rural Freeborn (population 260) in south central Minnesota. More commonly I answer “by Albert Lea”, which some may recognize because there’s a sign on the interstate for it. I’ve lived in a few Twin Cities suburbs (Golden Valley, Bloomington & St. Louis Park), Minneapolis, Delano & rural Buffalo. All in Minnesota. Rural to suburbs to city to small town (in a former church) to rural.
How has this shaped you to who you are today?
I’ve been studying Minnesota’s natural environment for the entirety of my life. From natural history to phenology, geology to flora & fauna. From understanding how plants adapt and grow in our northern climate to the natural landscapes being a centerpiece for my artwork. Growing up free range in a rural environment enabled me the freedom to explore and learn about our natural surroundings uninhibited. Then exploring the city in my late teens and early adulthood introduced me to beautiful diversity and opportunities, enabling me to learn about and love different cultures and expand my small town mind.
Photographed at Aster House, Minneapolis. Kristi painted the beautiful bar back mural.
What’s your favorite time of day? Why?
Ooo. Tough question. I like the stillness of early morning, the brightness of midday, the relaxation of evenings and rejuvenation of sleep.
Introvert or Extravert?
Introverted extrovert. I often hear: “you’re not introverted!” Oh but I am. I genuinely love interacting with people and then I need my alone time to recharge.
What’s one vice you wish you could give up?
Thinking I need to (and can) do everything.
When do you feel most inspired?
Being in nature. Whether in a clients’ garden or my own, in the woods or in a lake, on a beach or in a park.
City Girl? Or Farm Girl?
Ha! Farm Girl! Well, sometimes. I hold the city close. Balance is key. I like the quiet of the country and the diversity of the city.
Fancy nights out? Or Cozy Nights in?
Yes! Both! I’m a foodie and can rationalize spending an exorbitant amount of money on a good meal. Or I can cook us an amazing meal at home. I love seeing a good live band or a play or live tap dancing. But equally I love snuggling with my pups on the couch watching Northern Exposure.
Is "fancy nights in" an option? I LOVE entertaining, throwing parties and hosting dinners! We lived in a former church in Delano and hosted a house concert series that included both local legends and a grammy award winning songwriter from Austin, TX named Eric Taylor. To this day I have no idea how Eric found me, but we stayed up all night drinking whiskey with him and hearing stories of living in a cabin with Townes Van Zandt, playing bass for Lightning Hopkins and about how is bestie Lyle Lovett may be interested in buying my horse painting, is a cherished memory.
What’s playing on your music app these days?
Talking Heads, Sigur Ros, Devendra Banhart, Sun Ra,Frank Zappa, Kurt Vile, Wu Tang Clan, Billie Holiday… lots of heady podcasts. Last summer I listened to the entire Bob Dylan catalog chronologically..
What’s something you notice about someone when you first meet them?
Their glow
I never leave the house without….
My Felco pruners
How do you feel about being an Entrepreneur? Have you always been one?
This is my 10th season as a business owner. It has its ups and downs, but I think I’m pretty lucky to get to do what I love for really great people and create a structure that works to offer my clients the best experience.
It was a blustering grey morning, but the surrounding environment of Aster House was very picturesque considering the end of winter season. Kristi comes out to Aster House Minneapolis regularly to help keep it looking well kempt.
Besides your work, what do you do in your spare time?
Spend time with my dogs, go on Art Dates with Heather, hike in the woods, paint landscapes, needle felt landscapes, teach needle felting classes, volunteer on regional & state arts board grant panels, apply for grants to make art, take classes to further my art and my Self, grow food, make food, preserve food, eat food, see live music, “hippie church” with Jonathan, adventures with Cathy, read, write down my dreams, sit quietly… I need to get on my bike and this summer I’d like to use my kayak more!
Who (or what) do you spend most of your time with?
Right now, Sunny Jim & Freya, the best dog friends ever.
What is something about you, most people would be surprised to know?
Last spring I interviewed at the 5 time “best restaurant in the world”, Noma in Copenhagen to be their head gardener. I didn’t get the job (obvs- I’d be in Denmark right now) but it served as a confidence boost and helped me to remember where my passions lie.
I painted the bar back & another painting at Aster House.
I tap danced in 2 holiday shows last year.
What gets you up every morning?
I wish I could say an alarm, but I wake up before my alarm these days (lame). I get up excited, most of the time, to enjoy the day ahead of me and what it will reveal. In summer, it’s a slower process and requires more of a personal pep talk, solely due to the physicality of my work.
Dine with Kristi’s paintings inside Aster House or her outdoor arrangements on Aster Cafe's patio
On that topic, tell us what a typical day looks like for you, starting with your morning routine.
Recall and write down my dream(s) then wonder what the hell they mean.
Let the dogs out
Standard morning bathroom routine
Coffee
Breakfast (protein smoothie in summer, oatmeal in winter)
Winter: one or all of the following: read, yoga, paint, meditate, procrastinate doing anything business related for as long as possible.
Summer: load the truck with tools, plants and other necessities for the day, drive to the job site while ingesting coffee & breakfast.
Who has helped you the most?
I am surrounded by the most amazing, supportive, loving mentors that I could ever have ever dreamed of. So many people lift me up, inspire me, help me figure out logistics, buy my art, talk me off a cliff and believe in me. I can’t convey in words how grateful and lucky I am to know the people that I do.
Kristi and Jeff Arundel
Jeff Arundel is the owner and creative behind, Aster House, Aster Cafe, and Jefe Urban Cocina - Farm Girl's longest gardening client and Chief Advisor
Tell us about the people you serve and why it’s so important.
I work for residential clients who want to have beautiful gardens but don’t (or can’t) do THE WORK themselves. I work for restaurants who value outdoor living art and hyper local, fresh produce. I work for people who love our environment & community and care that I use only organic practices and people who trust me to make the best decisions in their gardens for not just the humans but the entire ecosystem.
I have a client that built a new estate on hard packed clay soil that had been conventionally farmed for decades. It’s been a joy to be a part of their conservation efforts to bring back to life the native ecosystem. Through prairie & forest restoration and tasteful native plantings, we watch it thrive.
I also welcome my clients to work in the gardens with me. The conversations we have get deep and it’s like a form of therapy beyond the meditation that gardening invites.
What is one of the biggest setbacks you’ve experienced in your life, and how have you worked through it?
I’m my own setback. Sometimes I have trouble believing in myself and it requires great intentional effort to remind myself that I am not only capable, but quite good at doing a lot of things. I’m still working through it and likely will be forever.
What are you most looking forward to in the next year or two?
This is a time of transition for me and I’m excited to explore what that truly means. I just registered an “official” art business (Farm Girl Fine Art) to accompany my Farm Girl brand portfolio. I’m excited to grow as an artist, educator, business owner and human. I look forward to careful and deliberate expansion to be able to reach more people through art, empowering others to create and build on the steady foundation I’ve built so far.
How about the next 10?
More art and building community around art, gardening and flowers! Working with Avon Hills Folk School to create garden based experiences
The story behind how this mural came to be was one of the most amusing stories of our photoshoot. It can be found at Aster House, Minneapolis.
If you could give words of encouragement to someone 15 years younger than you, what would you say to them?
Keep. Making. Art.
Yes, you are an artist, I don’t care what you say. Let go and allow yourself to play.
Go sit in the woods or by a lake and be present. Look around you at all the little things that you forget to notice as you go through your busy life.
How does FARM GIRL make our community a better place?
I’m always here when you need me.
What is the best way for the community to connect with you?
Facebook.com/FarmGirlGardening
Instagram: Kristi_Koziolek
And take a class!
Besides painting murals, teaching classes, restoring the great outdoors, and listening to music (that I need to google so i can feel a little bit cooler)….Kristi also takes care of the petit details: plants adorning the corners of Aster House. You've likely dined with her garden compositions on Aster Cafe's patio. If you ever have the chance to dialogue with Kristi in person or online, ask her about the mural on the yellow wall of Aster House. You’ll thank me.
