The founding members of Great Harvest Coop are busy tilling the soil and applying for an LLC. Once they get the business up and running, they plan to sell their produce at local farmer’s markets, CSAs, and restaurants.
Co-founder Delia Jovel says for this first growing season, the main goal is to get to know the land and what grows well here.
“I want to try to learn, maybe not this year, but next year -- I would love to grow loroco," Jovel said.
Loroco is a tiny edible flower that grows in Central America. Jovel, who's from El Salvador, likes to cook it in soups and tortillas de carne.
For now, she and her cohort are hoping to get the word out and grow their community of Latinx/Hispanic farmers. In the process, Jovel says, she hopes they can dismantle negative perceptions of immigrants.
"I feel with our project, we simply want to put in front of the eyes of many people -- the enormous drive, capacity and commitment that our community has," Jovel said.
The Coop is working on an acre of land owned by Tiny Bridge Farm in Hendersonville. Jovel says in the long term, they hope to expand to their own farmland -- and grow more business ownership opportunities for Latinos in agriculture.
Great Harvest Coop is holding a Garden Tool Drive through March 27. More information about donating items can be found here.
