From Seed to Tea: A workshop with Gentle Strength Herbal Co-op
Join Gentle Strength Herbal Co-op on their journey in building Rhode Island’s first Herbal Co-op. In this workshop we will get a firsthand look at setting up a residential urban farm, including learning how to secure an NRCS contract to fund your own growing space. We will start the evening at a small residential urban farm and see one of Gentle Strength's growing spaces, then move to Southside Community Land Trust to continue the conversation and have a potluck. We will talk about starting an herb farm and explore the best herbs for production or to build out a robust herbal apothecary. We will talk about why creating a co-op model is important to starting a community-centered business.
Date: September 20th
Time: 4:30pm-7:30pm
Address: Residential Urban Farm Tour: 179 Pawtuxet Ave, Cranston, RI 02905
Discussion and Potluck: Southside Community Land Trust, 404 Broad Street. 2nd fl. Providence, RI 02907
Accessibility Information: Parking for the garden tour is less than 100ft walk from the street, and the driveway has a small incline. There is a bathroom inside the house that requires the use of stairs.
If you are interested in carpooling to the farm email Katelyn at youngfarmernight@gmail.com
Gentle Strength Herbal Co-op
The four founding members, Chandelle Wilson, Erin Soule, Narcissa Segura, and Tammy Kim have been working diligently for three years on Gentle Strength. They met working together at an herb shop and education center in Rhode Island. Together, they have a combined total of over 35 years of herbal experience, not to mention years of experience in farming, education, growing plants, hospitality, and small business management.
The plan is to open up a brick and mortar herbal shop in the heart of the Southside and West End Neighborhoods of Providence in 2027. Currently, they are building a strong herbal brand and product line in a cooperative model so that members can have decision making power and protect the accessibility, cultural integrity, and sustainability of herbal medicine. This ensures that profits and decision-making power remain in the hands of those most impacted- residents, healers, and everyday people invested in individual and centering community wellbeing as a shared responsibility.
You can find out more information about them by going to their website at gentlestrength.shop and by following them on Instagram and Facebook at gentlestrength.shop
Young Farmer Network:
The Young Farmer Network (YFN) connects farmers, aspiring farmers, and farm allies from all social, racial, and economic backgrounds. Our mission is to create an environment within which people of all ages and agricultural backgrounds can cultivate personal and professional relationships across state borders. We work towards a supportive landscape for farmers and prospective farmers in developing socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable farm businesses and fulfilling lives.
Services Provided at Event:
Free Childcare & Interpretation, please notify us if you will be utilizing our services ahead of time. *Must RSVP 2 weeks before event to give us time to coordinate*
