Who runs many of South Florida’s farms? Women!
One of edible South Florida’s first stories covered women in farming – and that number has grown over the years. Women owned-and-operated farms are an integral part of our agricultural scene. Women play key roles as foragers, working with local farms to bring produce and tropical fruits to markets and restaurants. And women lead organizations to build gardens and food forests for communities in need.
We salute these farming leaders in our community, and the many women inspired by their work.
Teena Borek, Teena's Pride and Michael Borek Farms – A longtime farmer known for heirloom tomatoes and vegetables and leadership in local agriculture, Teena works with her son, Michael, on the family farms.
Karla Dascal, Paradise Farms – Karla has carried on original farmer Gabrielle Marewski’s vision, growing nutrient-dense organic produce using regenerative and sustainable practices for consumers and restaurants in a serene space.
Martina Gonzalez and Alicia del Aguila, Aloha Redland – At their woman-led farm project in the Redland, they grow tropical fruits and crops for their CSA and markets, and host workshops and wellness events.
Lisa Merkle and Cheryl Arnold, Imagine Farms – Two sisters launched hydroponic container farms to provide pesticide- and herbicide-free greens and produce for restaurants, farmers markets and a CSA.
Tiffany Noe and Muriel Olivares, Little River Cooperative – Tiffany and Muriel supply produce, herbs and flowers to consumers and restaurants, sell seedlings and host gardening workshops and build raised beds.
Margie Pikarsky, Bee Heaven Farm – Farmer Margie started her organic Redland farm in 1997, and her involvement in farmers markets and the local agriculture scene has built community and inspired others.
Bianca Santos, Fruits N Cahoots – Now located under a big chickee hut, Bianca along with partner Andre bring in tropical fruits from South Florida and beyond every weekend at Davie’s Tree Amigos.
Thi Squire, Grow2Heal, Baptist Health – Thi built Homestead Hospital’s original garden on its campus. Today, the project has expanded to South Miami Hospital, West Kendall, Doctors, and the main campus at Kendall.
Adena Ellenby, LNB Grovestand – Second-generation farmer Adena Ellenby joins her husband Walt and family members to sell tropical fruits and products made from them, like fruit smoothies and turmeric tonic.
Laura Sutton, Blue Horizon Farm – In addition to growing produce and making farm products like dried fruit, butterfly pea flowers and salves with her husband, Brendan, Laura is a fermented food and beverage artisan.
Olivia Wong, Fullei Fresh – A second-generation family farmer, Olivia and her parents, Silvia and Manny Wong, operate Fullei Fresh, one of the country’s largest suppliers of hydroponic sprouts.
Heather Moehling, Robert Is Here – Part of the second generation of this iconic Florida City farmstand, Heather promotes local agritourism and was in the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Chris Bouza, Finca Morada – Founder of this urban permaculture farm and community space, Chris is also part of Grow Roots Miami, a food justice collaboration that builds free food gardens for families in need.
Valencia Gunder, Smile Haven – A longtime community advocate, Vee is overseeing a new project with Green Haven Project on vacant land in Brownsville, creating a food forest to grow food for the community.
Debi LaBelle, The Education Fund – Debi is part of the team building food forests at Miami-Dade schools, and her chef skills inform students and teachers on how to use what they harvest outside of the classroom.
Chantelle Sookram, Urban Oasis Project – Chantelle and her team work with local growers to gather produce for farmers markets, build raised-bed gardens, create farm-to-table dinners and cook to feed the homeless community.
Asha Walker, Health in the Hood – Asha started this nonprofit in 2013 to build urban vegetable gardens in Liberty City and has since expanded, building more urban farms and distributing fresh produce to those in need.
“Every March, Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to honor the generations of trailblazing women and girls...
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