Roots Peony Farm has gained significant traction over the past year since winning the Momentum Business Plan Competition in Mason County. Thousands of peony roots have since been ordered, planted, and sprouted, with plans underway to become the largest peony farm in the region within the next five years.

Owner Troy Veeneman is pleased with the progress thus far and looks forward to scaling the business to provide wholesale peonies to local florists and markets and eventually opening a U-pick peony farm in Hamlin Township. 

“We’re proud to bring something to Ludington that everybody hopefully will enjoy,” Veeneman said. “I know it’s gonna take a year or two before we see some flowers with our plan to deadhead them this season and next to support the root growth, but at least this first year is behind us, and we’re definitely seeing really good progress!”

The Momentum Business Plan Competition was held in May 2025, administered by the Chamber Alliance of Mason County and funded by the Pennies from Heaven Foundation. Following his pitch before a live audience and panel of judges, Veeneman was awarded the top prize of $15,000 cash and $10,000 in business support services. His idea was chosen from 14 contest applicants.

Roots Peony Farm has sourced and planted choice roots from the Netherlands, and there are currently eight types of peonies in the ground, more than 2,000 in total. Each year will bring the planting of new varieties, according to Veeneman.

The roots were planted last fall through a partnership with G2S Academy. Students had the opportunity to plant peony roots to earn class credit, and they worked hard while learning about soil, laying weed barriers, marking, burning fabric, and then digging thousands of holes. 

During the spring/summer of 2026 and 2027, the farm will be focusing on strengthening the roots. As soon as buds appear on the plants, workers will clip them off or “deadhead” them. This will ensure the energy created by the plant goes back to the roots rather than producing a few flowers.

Veeneman used part of his winnings to build a website. It is now live (rootspeonyfarm.com) and tells the story of how the Roots Peony Farm came to be. Veeneman and his family have a deep history with peonies dating back to the family's apple farm in Conklin, Michigan. The grandparents’ driveway was always lined with peonies, and this new farm was inspired by memories of hard work, family tradition, and the strong connections they built within the community.

By 2030, Roots Peony Farm will sell wholesale to markets and open the farm to a U-pick opportunity. This will be available to the public through a reservation process as the flowers are about to bloom. Other activities on the farm will include photo opportunities and small tours. The plants will live and produce flowers for 100 years, Veeneman said.

“What a year it has been! Roots Peony Farm has finally found its home in Ludington.”

###