Today we’d like to introduce you to Deja Barnes.
Hi Deja, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. In 2001, Orlando, Florida, become my new home after living in Jamaica for 15 years. I am a wife and mother to two handsome boys. In 2012, my husband and I purchased our first home. Having our property has allowed us to cultivate our organic fruit and vegetable garden.
In 2018, Nuff Roots & Seeds was created to inspire families to grow their healthy food. Our social media page was created to share our urban garden, teach, and encourage others to garden. With love and support from family and friends, our presence continues to grow. While volunteering with Love Our Youth, Inc., a local non-profit, I was able to teach gardening classes to youth and their families. To date, I have conducted multiple in-person and virtual gardening classes as fundraisers for the agency. During the pandemic, I was allowed to teach a virtual gardening class to youth who were home during the pandemic. Who would have thought a hobby would create such a wonderful opportunity?
During the pandemic, cultivating food became a topic in many households. Being in quarantined and insolation across the country during the height of the pandemic inspired families to start growing their food due to the impact on major food supply chains. This movement inspired me to start a small business to help those who needed assistance to start their garden.
In July of 2020, Nuff Roots & Seeds was registered as a small business offering garden consultation services. I knew there was a need in the community, and I offered my services to those who wanted to create a sustainable lifestyle through home gardening. So far, I have conducted gardening consultations, built six-raised bed garden boxes with vegetable transfer plants, and provided gardening classes for K – 8th graders summer program. Along with growing organic foods. I also specialize in locally grown cut flowers such as dahlias, zinnias, cosmos, and others. Coming this Fall, I’ll be offering cut flower arrangements and delivery to showcase flowers grown in my back yard.
Additionally, gardening also helps with stress relief and healthy family functioning. I have found that gardening helps me to decompress after a hard day or stressful time, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. My vision for Nuff Roosts & Seeds is to cultivate a sustainable community that will help families learn how to thrive to their full potential by using skills they will learn to grow healthy foods as well as beautify their surroundings.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think their will be challenges in every aspect of life. However, I’ll not allow my challenges to prevent me from reach my goals. One of my biggest challenge is running a business and making sure I spend quality time with family. I find that having a weekly schedule as allow me to balance my time with my family and running a business.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
This Fall Nuff Roots & Seeds will offer the following services.
Garden consultation services for new and upcoming gardeners who has the desire to start growing their own food.
Custom made raised garden box
Locally grown cut flower
What matters most to you?
Providing quality services to my clients is my number one goal. My goal is to help my client to live a happy healthy lifestyle.
Contact Info:
- Email: nuffrootsseeds1@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nuff_roots_seeds_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shorty.deja
Image Credits
Nuff Roots & Seeds
