All About the Flock

Welcome to the inner workings of Duck River Garden Company -where we take plants seriously, but ourselves a little less seriously. Around here, you’ll find the people behind the shovels, the why behind what we do, and the bigger picture that keeps us rooted in community, creativity, and a commitment to staying genuinely green (not just looking like it).

Our Mission

At Duck River Garden Company, the mission is simple: make gardening feel more doable for more people.

That means cutting through the overwhelm, removing unnecessary barriers, and meeting people where they are - whether that’s budget, experience level, or physical ability because a garden should work with your life, not against it.

What We Do

We offer garden consulting that’s built around real life, not ideal conditions.

That includes virtual and in-person support for designing, improving, or rethinking outdoor spaces - whether you’re starting from scratch or trying to fix what’s already there. We work with a range of styles, but the focus is always the same: practical, functional, and tailored to you.

We also offer a wide range of workshops and classes on hands-on topics like seed saving, tomato 101, seasonal planning, and composting. It’s all meant to be straightforward, useful, and something you can actually take home and use-not just information that sits in your head.

Our Green Promise

At Duck River Garden Co., we believe growing things should give back more than it takes. We promise to choose earth-friendly practices whenever possible — using secondhand, repurposed, local, and ethically sourced materials; prioritizing native plants; reducing waste; and creating gardens that support people, pollinators, wildlife, and the land we call home.

We’re not here to make gardening feel perfect or fancy. We’re here to help it feel rooted, accessible, and alive.

Meet the Ducks

  • Madelinn Welch

    FOUNDER

    With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience.
    They set the tone for everything we do.

  • Arielle Mayes

    CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

    Friendly, attentive, and always ready to help, our customer service manager ensures every interaction is a positive one. They keep communication clear, timely, and human.

  • Ocean Sanders

    FARMERS MARKET MANAGER

    Focused, approachable, and driven by results, our girl is all about building strong relationships. They help connect people to the right solutions—with clarity and care.

  • Timory Shaner

    MARKETING DIRECTOR

    Creative and strategic in equal measure, our marketing director brings fresh ideas to every campaign. They turn insights into action and help our message resonate with the right audience.

I've been pulling weeds and planting seeds since I could walk!

Meet Madelinn

I was born and raised in Columbia, Tennessee, and come from a long line of farmers, gardeners, and people who simply knew how to work with the land. Some of my earliest memories are following my mom through the garden, pulling "weeds," planting seeds, and getting my hands dirty. She learned from her mother, who learned from hers, and so on down the line. Growing things has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Over the years, I've raised chickens, ducks, and horses, grown everything from vegetables and herbs to flowers and native plants, and spent countless hours learning through both success and failure. While the company is named after our beautiful Duck River, I have to admit I'm a little more partial to chickens. My brother would probably tell you that's ironic, considering he's always been the duck person in the family.

These days, I live in Columbia with my partner, our daughter, and our three cats. I still get just as excited about planting seeds as I did when I was a kid. Whether I'm helping someone build their first vegetable garden, create wildlife habitat, grow food for their family, or make gardening more accessible for themselves or a loved one, my goal is always the same: to make gardening feel welcoming, practical, and achievable.

I started Duck River Garden Company because I believe gardening is for everyone. You don't need a perfect property, expensive equipment, or years of experience to connect with the land and grow something meaningful. Through consultations, workshops, and community programs, I hope to help people build confidence, learn new skills, and create spaces that bring them joy for years to come.

At the end of the day, I believe some of life's best lessons happen with dirt under your fingernails. Gardening has taught me patience, resilience, stewardship, and the importance of community. It has connected me to generations of family members who came before me, and it continues to connect me to neighbors, friends, and fellow growers today.

Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to growing with you.

Everyone Deserves a Place to Grow

Our sliding scale is designed to help make gardening education and consulting more accessible to the people and communities we care about.

This may include:

  • Individuals and families navigating financial hardship

  • Parents and caregivers

  • Older adults

  • People with disabilities or chronic health conditions

  • Students and young adults

  • Teachers and educators

  • Community groups and nonprofits

  • Anyone who is excited to learn but concerned about cost

Duck River Garden Company was built on the belief that gardening should be accessible to everyone. Whether you're planting your first tomato, adapting a garden to meet changing physical needs, building a pollinator habitat, or simply looking for a way to reconnect with the natural world, we're here to help.

Many of our classes and consulting services are available on a sliding scale, and we are often able to offer reduced-cost or free opportunities when cost would otherwise be a barrier. If you'd like to learn but aren't sure you can afford it, please reach out.

No judgment. No complicated process. Just a conversation.