Patchez and Flowerz by Nina

To nurture nature is a healing pastime. I'm hopeful that I can find a way to grow food for the local community and flowers for our pollinators abroad. I've collected a variety of mainly cold climate seeds. I've learned that soil needs to be alive to grow healthy plants. By alive soil, I mean, a mixture of inorganic, organic, water, air, and bugs! A mini ecosystem within the soil. We can take care of plants and each other and the bigger picture, the planet. Nurture nature. Let's grow!

Preferred location: Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, Schoolcraft

Desired Transitional Agreement: Mentorship

Oct 14, 2025

My long brunette hair is often messy at best. Zinnia A yellow nasturtium flower. Bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds can pollinate this plant. My latest jar of homemade kimchi. Kimchi I fell in love with due to spicy savory flavors. Since then I realized it is good for my gut health. Now if only I could grow my own veggies to craft with. This year I am thrilled to have had the rare luxury of my homegrown nasturtium greens on a burger. How nicely those big leaves fit onto a bun! Bonus, the tomato was provided by another local gardener. This is a rare treat for me. I am a fan of letting random pop ups grow. I remain curious as it grows. This volunteer was a treat to see unfold.

Desired Acreage

  • < 1 Acres
  • 1-5 Acres
  • 5-10 Acres

Desired Infrastructure

  • Barns or other facilities
  • Farmer Housing
  • Irrigation/Water Access

Desired Land Usage

  • Bees
  • Flowers
  • Fruit
  • Fruit Trees
  • Organic crops
  • Vegetables

Goals, Values, Vision

I know that our farmers are getting ready to retire and there needs to be the next generation to step in carry on. My main focus has been vegetables and edible flowering plants. Nasturtium is my favorite salad plant for it is spicy in flavor. 
Currently, I've only been a hobby grower, mostly in containers. I do realize plants would much rather be in the ground. I love the idea of fresh cut flower gardens. I love the idea of left untouched natural growth for our regional species.
Plants are fun things to study. I do have a fairly wide variety collection of cold climate seeds. Seeds that are cold hardy and fast growing for the upper peninsula's short growing season.  I have been more interested in planting native local species lately. Our native grasses have much deeper roots that help retain soil and the water table. I do love experimenting with plants. I do live in a cold climate yet would like to have trees of avocado or coffee beans, perhaps in a green house. For me, I mostly envision myself planting by hand.  My current hurdle is access to land to plant on. The business factor behind it all is the largest leap. I'd like to learn some tips and tricks from those who are already doing the farming business in this current timeline. How do you seed save and share?

Farming Status

Current Farming Status

Part Time

Farm Experience/Education

No experience farming

Mentoring

I am seeking mentorship

Farming Plans and Practices

Farming Method

Organic Practices

 I'm interested in companion container gardening, square foot gardening and in permaculture as well. These mimic more natural ecosystems.  Having a variety can often mean better air flow, less pest population and a range of heights to stand the sun and windy weather.  Having many native species will help our area maintain what can thrive here naturally. For other things, more unnatural help via greenhouse might be required to get plants off to a good strong start to survive. Some things may need the help of a greenhouse to start strong. Some trees may need to be grafted to apple tree root stock for it is often most cold hardy.