Though spring is still more than a month away, the planting season began in early January for Amanda and Brandon Woestman, the new owners and operators of Stonehouse Gardens. The couple purchased the property formerly known as Countryside Greenhouse located at 9936 Hwy. 59, Oskaloosa, in October 2023. Amanda was born and raised in the Meriden area, graduating from Jefferson West High School in 2010.
She attended Washburn University for her undergraduate degree, followed by the University of Missouri for journalism and communications. She is the daughter of David and Vicki Narverud and the granddaughter of Jim and Mary Eck, all Meriden. Brandon was born and raised in Arkansas. He attended Oklahoma State University, graduating with a degree in aerospace and mechanical engineering. After meeting in Corpus Christi, Texas, the couple moved to Seattle, Wash., for a year before returning to Arkansas for three years. In 2023 they decided to make Jefferson County home for themselves and their now nine-month-old son, Arlo. Growing flowers at their Arkansas home became a favorite hobby of the couple, selling flower arrangements at local markets.
When Eck Properties LLC, cousins of Amanda, listed the greenhouse property, the duo knew where they wanted to be. “This is everything we ever wanted to do,” Brandon said. And the deal was done. The greenhouse first got its start in the county under original owners Jon and Judy Henry as A Time to Plant Greenhouse in March 1998. The Henrys sold the property in 2020 to Ivan and Judith Beachy, who operated it under Countryside Greenhouse until 2023.
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