Our 127th Real Farmer Care recipient is Dee Hall of Shiptown Botanical @shiptownbotanical in Norfolk, VA.
Dee writes, “I’m a new specialty cut flower market grower on a tiny sub/urban lot in Norfolk, Virginia but a lifelong gardener. I decided to start growing cut flowers for sale when I couldn’t find any locally grown flowers for my wedding. Since sustainable farming and being a steward of the earth is important to me, about 25% of my current offerings are native perennials (my garden is a certified wildlife habitat and monarch waystation) and I hope to increase that number every year. As a Black grower, I’ve found so far that while I held back from shifting to this work because I thought I didn’t know enough, I find myself in a position that many Black women will find familiar: having twice the knowledge and experience of people doing similar work while knowing it likely won’t translate into the matching income. I’m looking forward to participating in a local farmers market this year as well as growing the Tidewater Flower Collective @tidewaterflowercollective (I’m the founder) which I hope will inspire, educate and spark discussion in the community about the importance of local flowers to the environment.”
Support Dee’s mission: Venmo @ thedeehall
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