Our Story

Our first crop in the backyard garden of our founders has since blossomed, committed to encouraging teen entrepreneurship to support our flagship farm location and flower shop in Wayland, MA.

Catherine McGonagle, STEMS Co-Founder & President, holding a vase of pink tulips

Who We Are

STEMS is an entrepreneurial flower farm venture founded by former Wayland High School student Catherine (Cassie) McGonagle. STEMS was created by Cassie and two of her fellow Wayland High School students in the 2021 spring season. Based on the success of that first season, Cassie developed a blueprint for a program to teach high school and college students the power of entrepreneurship. Today, our student employees eagerly learn about planting, growing and harvesting while developing entrepreneurial skills such as project management, marketing, graphic design, public relations, and social media management.

To learn more about our entrepreneurial mentorship program, please message heybud@stemsflowerco.us. For media inquiries, please reach out to Shannon.Mulaire@NickersonCos.com.

View of Cassie at STEMS Wayland Farm on a sunny day

What We Do

Through growing responsibilities at our farm located on the Lee’s Farm campus, and management in our retail space at Lee’s Farm Stand on Rt. 20 in Wayland, we seek to enhance the lives and early careers of our student entrepreneurs. STEMS student employees work on season’s crop from bulb to bouquet—learning the intricacies of flower farming, cultivation and ultimately design and sales. Furthermore, the students learn from an advisory team of experienced professionals in the fields of growing, marketing/public relations, finance and accounting, and more.
Catherine McGonagle, STEMS Co-Founder & President, with Wendy Nowokunski and Jim Coughlin at Northbridge Companies

A Special Thanks to Northbridge Companies

STEMS extends a sincere thank you to Wendy Nowokunski and Jim Coughlin at Northbridge Companies, who we’ve partnered with to make our flagship STEMS Wayland flower farm and shop a reality on the campus of The Carriage House at Lee’s Farm. We are happy to collaborate with Northbridge Companies to dedicate a percentage of all STEMS sales to the Compassionate Caregiver Fund, which supports caregivers across their senior living facilities.
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Our Mission Statement
STEMS educates, inspires, and empowers future generations to work with environmentally friendly businesses. With flowers, soil, and repurposed materials, STEMS serves as a stepping stool and ladder for employees and volunteers who want to learn and commit to that cause.
“A flower does not use words to announce its arrival to the world. It just blooms.”
— Matshona Dhliwayo
Catherine McGonagle, STEMS Co-Founder & President, and STEMS volunteer, holding bouquets of tulips

Meet the Team

Our team is comprised of original thinkers with a passion for learning. Team members chosen from STEMS’ selective application process demonstrate curiosity and passion for improving their communities and developing their careers—as well as a love for flowers and the outdoors.
Our Team
Catherine McGonagle, STEMS Co-Founder & President, with workers in yellow vests at Lee's Farm in Wayland, MA

STEMS Wayland is Hiring!

STEMS seeks highly motivated and curious future entrepreneurs to join their team to learn skills in farming, marketing, business management and more. Additionally, the STEMS team is honored to learn from a team of seasoned advisors each growing season to learn networking and entrepreneurial skills.
Explore Opportunities
STEMS Wayland