The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is pleased to shine a spotlight on Keriann and Jeroen Koeman, founders of Wicked Tulips, in our “Community Proud” series sponsored by Charter Oak Credit Union. Together, Keriann and Jeroen have created more than a flower farm. They’ve built an experience rooted in joy, connection, nature, and community tradition.

Known for their breathtaking U-pick tulip fields in Preston, Connecticut and North Kingstown, Rhode Island, the husband-and-wife team has transformed a simple idea into a beloved springtime destination that draws families, couples, photographers, and visitors from across the region. What began with leftover tulip bulbs planted in a backyard field has grown into the first U-pick tulip farm in the United States and one of the most recognizable seasonal experiences in New England.

Jeroen’s story began in Holland, where tulip farming was part of his family’s DNA. In 2006, he moved to the United States to work as a head grower in Washington State before later relocating to Virginia. Around the same time, Keriann, a native New Englander with a creative spirit and a passion for connecting with people, was building her own path through careers ranging from counseling to mortgage brokerage. The two met through a Craigslist roommate ad in Charlottesville, Virginia, and within a year they were married and planting their very first tulip field together.

That first field, planted in the fall of 2009 with 50,000 leftover bulbs from their wholesale tulip business, unexpectedly became something much bigger. In spring 2010, people flocked to the field to pick their own flowers, launching what would become Wicked Tulips. Over the years, the business expanded from Virginia to Long Island, Rhode Island, and eventually Preston, Connecticut, where they have now become a cherished part of the local community.

For Keriann, the heart of the farm has always been about creating meaningful experiences. “Watching kids run through the rows, couples take photos, and people create memories… that’s what keeps me grounded,” she shared. “It’s more than flowers; it’s about connection.”

Jeroen shares that same philosophy. “We don’t feel like a business that landed here. We feel like neighbors,” he said. “When the community treats you that way, you want to give it back.”

Giving back has become a cornerstone of Wicked Tulips. Through their pay-to-wrap program alone, the farm has donated more than $73,000 to local organizations over the past four years, supporting approximately 30 to 40 charities each season. During the pandemic, they launched the “Tulips for Love & Hope” initiative, which has since donated more than 100,000 tulips to food pantries, veterans organizations, nursing homes, schools, libraries, rehabilitation centers, and healthcare facilities throughout the region.

The couple also partners with organizations like Preston Parks & Recreation, Mystic Aquarium, and numerous community groups to create experiences that celebrate both nature and connection. Their employees even help nominate charities each year, reinforcing the strong sense of teamwork and purpose behind the business.

Despite the growth of the farm, both Keriann and Jeroen remain grounded in the original feeling that inspired them all those years ago. Jeroen recalls bringing Keriann to Holland for the first time in 2009 and watching her excitement while standing in a massive field of Angelique tulips. “That joy,” he said, “is exactly what we’re still trying to give people every spring.”

Outside of the tulip fields, the couple shares a deep appreciation for nature, creativity, and family life. Keriann enjoys designing gardens, traveling, dancing, and creating spaces where loved ones can gather and recharge. Jeroen dreams of creating more nature-based experiences on their 60-acre property in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, helping people reconnect with nature, family, and each other. Together, they love spending time outdoors with their son, Kees, exploring and building memories together.

When asked what being recognized in the Chamber’s Community Proud series means to them, both spoke with gratitude and humility. “To be recognized not just as a business, but as part of the valued community really validates why we started this journey,” Keriann shared. Jeroen added, “Running a seasonal farm is an act of faith every year… to be recognized by the community feels like the neighbors noticing. It genuinely means something.”

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is honored to recognize Keriann and Jeroen for the beauty, joy, and connection they continue to cultivate throughout Southeastern Connecticut and beyond. Through every tulip planted, every bouquet shared, and every memory created in the fields, they remind us all to slow down, reconnect, and appreciate the beauty around us.