Lisa Evans and Tim Smith founded We Grow Microgreen greenhouse and farm in Hyde Park, Boston, MA in 2019. It has a 4,600-square-foot greenhouse plus two garden tunnels on approximately 1 acre of land. The farm grows microgreens, herbs, tea leaves, edible flowers, medicinal plants, and tropical fruits.
To turn an “urban fill” plot into a thriving farm in Boston, Tim and Lisa had to bring in all of their soil. They also needed to grow efficiently–in greenhouses. They’ve benefited from state and city government grants for solar panels to heat their greenhouses and now with help building a retail outlet. “But no one wants to fund the soil,” co-owner Evans said. That’s where LEAF came in, funding the necessary but less visible, less concrete, soil. LEAF was there offering other kinds of support too– LEAF’s brain-powered team giving technical assistance, business analytics on the cost of goods and where to spend their money to help survive these early years. While they are still in survival mode, Evans said, they see the next stage and a way to move beyond survival.
We grow Microgreens sells at the farmers’ markets to customers who receive HIP, SNAP, WIC and Bounty Bucks (Boston’s currency for people living in housing developments who may not be eligible for HIP/SNAP, non-US citizens). Hyde Park and neighboring Mattapan are both neighborhoods of Boston with a high percentage poverty population.
The market where their customers know the most about their tropical plants is the Mattapan market. Namely, the 70s and 80s-year-old women from the Caribbean, who are so familiar with their fresh herbs and plants that they get excited to see and buy the same plants they recognize from home to use in stews and for medicinal needs.
What are Microgreens?
The tender, edible seedlings of vegetables and herbs are grown to the cotyledons (seed leaves) or first true leaf stages.
Why microgreens?
Compared to mature plants microgreens provide approximately five times more vitamins and carotenoids. Fun fact: The curry leaf and moringa plants are popular with Indian and Caribbean customers at the Mattapan Farmers Market
When do they grow microgreens?
Thanks to their efficient operations, greenhouse with natural light and solar energy, their farm grows locally produced, nutrient-dense food year-round in Boston Massachusetts.
Where do they sell the microgreens?
We Grow Microgreens sells at 4 farmers’ markets and restaurants. They are currently building a farm stand on their property to sell directly from their farm.
LEAF is proud to support We Grow Microgreens by providing a flexible loan to help We Grow Microgreens continue their energy-efficient operations with improvements such as: purchasing soil and purchasing an electric bucket loader – a big electric-powered bucket.
