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Baby Chavs is one of 50> Black owned farms in WA

Help Baby Chavs obtain a matching grant of $10k by donating today. Baby Chavs is a woman run, BIPOC, and veteran owned farm in Tacoma, WA.

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Project Description

Pitch flyer

*For TTS*

Help Fund Baby Chavs

Behind the Why:

Farmer Juanita is one of just 50 or less known Black farmers in Washington State. This speaks volumes about the systematic land oppression Black people throughout America have endured. Black farmers might be a minority, but farming is shrinking in Washington State. As a micro-urban farm it's easy to see this kind of farming is the answer to addressing the challenges of now and tomorrow, from food insecurity and the loss of topsoil to unpredictable weather patterns. Indoor and urban farming can provide more consistently healthy produce while leaving a limited footprint. While selling produce at the markets, Farmer Juanita noticed microgreens sold well at markets set in more affluent neighborhoods. These customers knew what microgreens were, how to incorporate them into meals, and all the health benefits. This helped birth the program “Microgreens for Everyone (M.F.E.). This program seeks to address food apartheid by reaching the community. Patio and indoor growing are taught to school-aged students and senior citizens. Microgreens for Everyone teaches the joy of gardening and lets people feel its grounding effects regardless of physical ability.

Behind the Crowdfunding:

Baby Chavs has been awarded a matching grant through Pierce County. This means that every dollar raised through our crowdfunding campaign will be matched up to $10k! This is a massive opportunity for Baby Chavs. Funding will help reduce farm debt, allow us to purchase more supplies, and be applied towards seed money for future projects. We are looking to expand our operations into greenhouses throughout Pierce County to increase our sales while extending our grow season for year-round herbs.

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

 

What are microgreens?

Microgreens are vegetables eaten just passed the sprout stage. They are four (4) to 40% more nutrient-concentrated compared to their mature counterparts. This means a full serving of leafy vegetables can be achieved with just one cup of microgreens! Even the pickiest eaters are willing to try microgreens with the reassurance that a little goes a long way.

Microgreens are a sustainable, quick-growing crop. The average growth rate is 10 days from seeding to harvesting. This method of growing allows for less water and soil, and does not harm the environment. Baby Chavs uses coco coir (a renewable growing medium) and organic growing practices for optimal health and freshness. 

Microgreens come in a variety of vibrantly delicious colors! We offer a wide range from bright yellow corn shoots to amaranth pink! Microgreens are a great way to add excitement and finesse to any plate.

Why did you get into urban farming?

The story of Baby Chavs is complicated and yet simple in so many aspects. Simple because it was born out of necessity. I needed to financially help my husband and I chose a business that required very little start-up funds but that offered high returns. 

The complexity zooms into generational stories of slavery, lack of land access, the stigma behind farming, and breaking free from society and family expectations.  My parents raised their children with rich stories of farm life in the south. The stories were wonderful but they were also tinted with the stain of slavery and plantation life. The expectations were clear, we were to go to college and become professionals. 

In adulthood I moved into my own apartment, went to and graduated from college, and started a family. Throughout that time. I still felt the desire to garden. I was amazed by the miracle of a small seed turning into a head of cabbage that could  feed a family of four. 

After birthing my second daughter, I was miserable in a yardless new construction house and dealing with postpartum depression. For solace I would look out the window and study one mature tree the housing development managed to keep. I stood on my staircase watching the seasons go by until one day it was cut down for a new build. Tears flooded my face because I felt all hope was lost. 

That summer my husband and I decided to join a community garden in Sumner, WA. We were the only black and brown faces but the community was friendly. With no gardening knowledge, a toddler, and a newborn we planted in hot 90 degree mid August soil. We checked our plot weekly and our neighbors would give us some of their produce. Eventually, a volunteer squash plant popped up! The excitement, embarrassment, and joy we felt when we picked our first squash was something that we needed. Being in the garden helped with the healing process from postpartum depression. We agreed it was best to move from our cookie-cutter home for my mental health. 

Our new home sat on just .25 acres. But it was more than what we had. I wanted a beautiful manicured lawn but learned after the first few months I was highly allergic to grass. I then wanted to till the land and convert it to crops but we couldn’t dig due to underground utilities and the McChord pipeline. I started researching farming alternatives and even enrolled into a farming internship program through Pierce County. Fast forward to 2019, the plans were simple: start a farm in 2020, use both indoor and outdoor spaces to maximize efficiency, and start with microgreens as the cash crop to reinvest into the farm and to grow it. That's what we've been doing!

 

08/07/2022
Rooting for You!
$20
Jennifer Maietta
07/15/2022
Monetary Contribution
$50
Eric Davis
07/14/2022
Monetary Contribution
$500
Erica Nishioka, WIN South Sound
06/16/2022
Monetary Contribution
$100
05/28/2022
Baby Chavs Swag
$100
Caroline Li
05/26/2022
Rooting for You!
$20
Carrie Callaway Cardy
05/26/2022
Monetary Contribution
$100
Jennifer English
05/26/2022
Celebrating Dreams MFE Tote
$20
DonP Tower Trans Logistics
05/21/2022
Baby Chavs Swag
$50
sasha schulman
05/19/2022
Monetary Contribution
$75
Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

  • Your logo and/or name added to our supporters page once our new website is launched.
5 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
Rooting for You!
  • Your logo and/or name added to our supporters page once our new website is launched.
6 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Celebrating Dreams MFE Mug

  Receive a Microgreens for Everyone mug.

0 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Celebrating Dreams MFE Tote

  Receive a Microgreens for Everyone tote

 

1 Supporter
Select this reward
35.00 USD
Celebrating Dreams MFE Shirt

 Receive a Microgreens for Everyone shirt!

0 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Baby Chavs Swag
  • Receive a cooking apron as a thank you
  • Your logo and/or name added to our supporters page once our new website is launched 
9 Supporters
Select this reward
253.00 USD
Tacoma Love

Our zip code is "253" and giving $253.00 will help us spread even more Tacoma love beyond our community! 

  • Everything included with the "Baby Chavs Swag"
  • Social media shout out
  • Dried herbal bouquet 
0 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Seed Storage
  • Everything included in the "Baby Chav Swag" and "Tacoma Love"
  • Personalized video thank you
  • Donation of our farm subscription to a local family
1 Supporter
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Tacoma, WA
Created 1 Campaign
Family
Health + Science
Lifestyle
Social Good

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

  • Your logo and/or name added to our supporters page once our new website is launched.
5 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
Rooting for You!
  • Your logo and/or name added to our supporters page once our new website is launched.
6 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Celebrating Dreams MFE Mug

  Receive a Microgreens for Everyone mug.

0 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Celebrating Dreams MFE Tote

  Receive a Microgreens for Everyone tote

 

1 Supporter
Select this reward
35.00 USD
Celebrating Dreams MFE Shirt

 Receive a Microgreens for Everyone shirt!

0 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Baby Chavs Swag
  • Receive a cooking apron as a thank you
  • Your logo and/or name added to our supporters page once our new website is launched 
9 Supporters
Select this reward
253.00 USD
Tacoma Love

Our zip code is "253" and giving $253.00 will help us spread even more Tacoma love beyond our community! 

  • Everything included with the "Baby Chavs Swag"
  • Social media shout out
  • Dried herbal bouquet 
0 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Seed Storage
  • Everything included in the "Baby Chav Swag" and "Tacoma Love"
  • Personalized video thank you
  • Donation of our farm subscription to a local family
1 Supporter
Select this reward