Freelance Portfolio

Benny Moren
benjaminbucket@gmail.com
(309) 338-1421
My love of plants began while working in the lush gardens of New Orleans: growing organic vegetables, working in school gardens with Americorps, installing cottage gardens, taking care of estates and working in nurseries. I learned how to grow cut flowers and later design florals for events with Pistil & Stamen, a high-end event florist in New Orleans. In 2018, I purchased a 10-acre soybean field in central Illinois to convert into a flower farm, spending every growing season since harvesting and selling flowers at the Peoria Riverfront Market. In 2025, I focused on freelancing in Chicago, working for a variety of companies at venues across Chicagoland.
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Work Experience
Freelance Florist, 2018 - Present
While working on events with Pistil & Stamen, I branched out to freelance for various designers in New Orleans and later central Illinois. In 2025 began freelancing in Chicago regularly. I currently work with Blooms by Morgan, Flowerchild and Life in Bloom. Other 2025 highlights include Ariella Chezar & Flower House Mexico (Saison Fleurie, Seoul).
Black Sheep Flower Farm, Owner/Operator, 2018 - Present
I spent the last seven years building a flower farm focused on selling hand-tied bouquets at the farmer’s market. We also sell to florists, host you-picks and specialize in DIY weddings.
Pistil & Stamen, Garden Manager/Florist, 2015 - 2018
As the Garden Manager, I learned about specialty cut flowers and how to grow them successfully. This is also where I got my start working on large events, primarily weddings but also styling for restaurants, hotels and corporate events. I continued freelancing with them until the business closed in 2022.