By Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth Kidd is the Director of Communications at Georgia Organics.
In this series, we spotlight members of Farmer Services’ annual Accelerator Program, which is the first of its kind to identify and address the various challenges faced by new farmers. After an application and selection process, ten farmers enter an 18-month-long cohort. Each participating farm receives nearly $10,000 in on-farm infrastructure investment and labor stipends from Georgia Organics, plus an additional $3,000 in professional consulting from experts.
To learn more about the Accelerator program, visit farmerservices.georgiaorganics.org/accelerator.
To meet the 2021-2022 Farmer Accelerator Cohort, read our blog post on The Dirt. Read about the launch of the Accelerator Program here.
With no further ado, we’re excited to spotlight Accelerator Program farm Sunbird Flowers!
Sunbird Flowers, all photography courtesy of Kiyah C. Photography via Sunbirdflowers.com
“It is kind of a miracle to put tiny seeds into the soil, and watch them grow into these beautiful plants that can sustain lives, support the ecosystem, and bring joy and pleasure to other people.”
This month, we’re talking with farmer-owners Whitney Jaye (quoted above) and Brandon Stephens of Sunbird Flowers in Lithonia. Whitney and Brandon began farming on their current property around 5 years ago and share with us—via a Q&A with Whitney, below—the key elements that led them to their chosen profession and continue to guide their choices.
Interconnectedness and creativity are two words that come to mind when learning what makes Sunbird Flowers tick. From the community they’ve found in fellow “returning generation farmers” to the vibrancy of the flowers they grow, it’s clear that Whitney and Brandon are committed and passionate farmers and farmer advocates.
Whitney recently participated in our Good Food for Thought online event in partnership with American Farmland Trust titled Challenges and Opportunities for Transformation: Womxn in Agriculture. Watch a recording here: bit.ly/womxnvid.
In the conversation, Whitney shared that her path to farming has been “a bit of a winding road, but one that, for me, is definitely tied to my lineage and heritage that’s allowed me to reclaim that.”
Her nonlinear path continues in her farming career, as she runs the farm with her husband Brandon while raising a two-year-old...during a pandemic. She balances the physical and emotional demands of mothering her child and their land, leaning on familial and community support.
Sunbird Flowers, all photography courtesy of Kiyah C. Photography via Sunbirdflowers.com
She cites sisterhood and finding relationships with other womxn farmers, such as Keisha Cameron from High Hog Farm, as an invaluable asset in her expansion as a farmer and as “soft places to land” when navigating the challenges of farming.
Sunbird Flowers joined the 2021-2022 cohort of Accelerator Farms, and Whitney and Brandon work with Farmer Services Director Lauren Cox as their Accelerator case manager. Lauren shares:
“Brandon and Whitney are some of the most thoughtful farmers I've ever had the pleasure to work with. Every business decision they make is done with care and consideration for their family, their community, and where they see themselves in the future.”
Let’s dive into the Q&A...
“Sunbird Flowers is small flower farm located on land owned by the Peterson/Stephens Family – once cultivated by Claude Tedford Petersen, a master grower from the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
Mary Elizabeth, Georgia Organics: Can you tell us a bit more about the history of the land you farm on? How did it come to be the home of Sunbird Flowers?
Whitney Jaye, Sunbird Flowers: The land that we farm on is family land - 25 years ago, several members of Brandon's family came together and intentionally decided that they wanted to purchase a piece of land, and live on it together. For many years, it was a beautiful garden, cultivated by Brandon's grandfather Claude Petersen, and it was reverted to a grassy lawn after he passed away. Brandon's family graciously allowed us to use the space for our farm, and we became the stewards in 2017. We try to hold the spirit of what Claude Petersen envisioned for the land in our practices, and in the flowers, herbs, and vegetables that we grow.
Flower CSA example from Sunbird Flowers, all photography courtesy of Kiyah C. Photography via Sunbirdflowers.com
“We grow flowers using ecologically sustainable practices, ones that conserve resources, build rich soil, and promote a vibrant ecosystem.”
Can you give us an example or two of sustainable practices y’all use? Why is it important to you to farm this way?
We take pride in being good stewards of the ecosystem of which we are a part. Not only is being in right relationship with the land aligned with our ancestral practices, but we also see it as our role and responsibility in our community. A few practices that we've adopted are: 1) composting - we use several methods of composting on-site that utilize household scraps, and on our farm organic materials, 2) we use minimal tilling, and regularly add compost to build our soil structure and replenish the organic matter, and 3) we use crop rotations that include cover crops and allow us to effectively manage the fertility of our soil.
How does being a parent affect why and/or how you farm?
Being parents means we have to be intentional about every aspect of the farm, particularly around time management. We've had to shift the farm and business to accommodate the kind of life experience we want for our child, and the kind of business model (for example - choosing to do a CSA instead of a farmers' market) that can support that.
What’s the story behind your farm’s name?
There is a bird species called a "sunbird,” and there are various iridescent color combinations in their feathers. It was inspiring to us that nature could be that vibrant, and gorgeous, so we chose that as our farm name. We want our offerings to invoke the same inspiration in our customers - that they see our color and texture combinations and are moved by the splendor of nature.
What is your origin story with farming and particularly flower farming? What drew you to this work?
Our paths into farming are both very different, but they are connected by the same thread - we are returning generation farmers, who are walking in our ancestral call to the land. We follow in the legacy of the many, many Black farmers who continue to embody the inherent dignity in land-based work and environmental stewardship.
We decided to go into flower farming because of Whitney Jaye's interest in the creative aspects – the ability to grow for color, and texture, and to really curate an experience for our customers. After years of research (and getting a scholarship into the Floret Workshop), years of support from our community as we eased into offering more floral design, we shifted our business to flowers exclusively.
What has been one of your favorite moments as a farmer?
One of our favorite moments as a farmer is seeing the process of a plant that you've nurtured grow up, and be ready to harvest and share. It is kind of a miracle to put tiny seeds into the soil, and watch them grow into these beautiful plants that can sustain lives, support the ecosystem, and bring joy and pleasure to other people.
What’s inspiring you and your work these days?
One thing that is inspiring me and my work these days is the Faith Ringgold retrospective taking place at the New Museum in New York City right now. I am a huge fan of her work. I also have infinite respect for artists who have plugged away at their craft, balanced motherhood and activism, and maintained the essence of their purpose. Faith Ringgold is simply the best.
What has been one of the best parts about being in the Accelerator program? Is there anything you’re looking forward to as part of the Accelerator program?
One of the best parts of the accelerator has been connecting with the other farmers in the program! We believe in the power of creating farming communities - this work is already so hard; we need connection and webs of mutual support to lighten the load. It was also great to have an advisor that could help us in this stage of transition, and they were amazing. Once the program is over, I am looking forward to looking back on how far we've come and basking in the growth that has been supported by our time in the accelerator. Much appreciation and gratitude to the Farmer Services team for the impactful work..
What is one piece of advice you’d give new farmers?
One piece of advice I would give new farmers is to seek community and support - there is so much knowledge that can be gleaned by talking to other farmers, and sharing what you may already know.
Disrupt the notion that everyone is a competitor, and resist the urge to hoard information and resources - foster a deep belief in abundance. Farming was never meant to be a solo endeavor - so find people who understand your vision, and who can encourage and support you along your journey.
What are the best ways for folks to support y’all?
Grab one of our flower subscriptions - we have both monthly and full season shares! We always take donations, there is so much more we could do if we had capital. Follow us on social media! Instagram.com/sunbirdflowers, facebook.com/sunbirdflowerfarm
To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit georgiaorganics.org, and follow us on social media @GeorgiaOrganics and at facebook.com/GeorgiaOrganics.