Xeng & Mai
Xeng and Mai, who identify as Hmong, began farming from a young age. In the US, they have continued this work for six years and now run Purple Corn Farm. Although they raised cattle and chickens in Laos, in Rhode Island, they grow vegetables. Xeng and Mai love what they do. To them, farming has consistently provided their family and church community with healthy food, and it makes them happy to see the fruits of their labor.
Many times, Xeng has caught his wife, Mai, talking to herself, and asks who she is speaking to. She corrects him, saying that she’s connecting with the plants! They love farming so much that they even have nicknames for each other: Mai is Cucumber and Xeng is Corn, their favorite vegetables. You can find their fresh produce at Sankofa World Market and Broad St. Farmers Market.
Charlotte
Charlotte has grown chemical-free African specialty crops across three locations in Rhode Island for years: Urban Edge Farm in Cranston, Shewatuck Farm in North Kingston, and at Manton Community Garden in Providence. She grows plenty of amaranth, malibar spinach, hot peppers, and molokhia, as well as kale, beets, sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, and garlic.
For Charlotte, farming is a family endeavor. Growing up in Rwanda, Charlotte learned to farm from her mother. Farming became a way to connect with her culture and history. After moving to Providence in 2013, Charlotte and her mother were assisted by the African Alliance of Rhode Island and Southside Community Land Trust to begin their own farms. Years later, Charlotte has built a successful business, continuing her family legacy of farming and working alongside her son. You can find her delicious produce at Armory Park Market and Hope Street Market.
Teodulio & Margarita
For nearly a decade, Teo has been passionate about growing fresh produce for the Southside community. It began in 2016 when an SCLT staffer noticed the impressive front yard garden of his and his wife, Margarita, and told him about SCLT. After attending workshops and selling at the Sankofa Market, he started farming at Urban Edge Farm. With the help of his wife, Teo now runs Martinez Farm.
To Teo, SCLT has helped him socialize and make friends in this country, and provided knowledge about growing in Rhode Island. Working with SCLT has also been a way for him to connect to his father, who taught him how to farm when he was a child. Drawing on his agricultural experience in the Dominican Republic and his continued learning in Rhode Island, Teo brings passion and expertise to everything he grows. A jack-of-all-trades, Teo is a caterer, baker, winemaker, and rabbit breeder. You can find Teo and Margarita’s delicious produce at Hope Harvest and Warwick Farmer’s Market.
