Please Support EFWM in 2023!

“Working in the herb garden, making the products and being able to support ourselves is my passion. It is a way to forget everything bad that has happened to me and connect to the world of natural fragrances. We talk with each other about different subjects and how we feel when we’re in the Garden, it is like a therapy for each of us, we talk a lot about the difficulties of each day, about God and the miracles that He can do in our lives. We pray for each other when things get difficult.” –Lucy, EFWM staff member and mentor

Dear Friend of Episcopal Farmworker Ministry,

We pray that you have had a blessed year. EFWM has continued its ministry serving farmworker families in 2022, and we thank you for generously supporting our work.

This holiday season, we are writing to share the inspiring story of a women’s group that formed at EFWM within the last two years and has quickly grown into a thriving business. Rooted Traditions is now a fully operating LLC, building economic opportunity for women and empowering the families we serve.

These women initially came together in 2020 as a simple prayer and support group. Through the EFWM network, this group of 23 women was mentored and encouraged to create an herb garden they could tend together. Later that year, they collectively wrote a booklet about herbal medicinal properties. This sparked the idea of a cottage industry.

A year later, using traditional recipes, these women began making soaps, lotions, ointments, and shampoos using their herbs. In 2022, with support from Transplanting Traditions Community Farm in Chapel Hill, these 23 women made a courageous step to create their own business. Rooted Traditions, LLC was born. The women have worked together all year to care for their garden and recently harvested medicinal herbs. They have learned about the administrative side of a business, learning marketing and finance skills. Rooted Traditions, LLC has been selling its products at Diocesan conventions, church festivals, and beyond.

Next year, they will build a greenhouse! They are expanding connections with vending businesses, hoping they will purchase the herbal products in bulk to sell to the broader community.

Stories like these are made possible by your support. We hope you will consider stepping out in faith once again this year and that you will signal your solidarity with the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry with a year-end gift. You can contribute online or mail a check to the address below:

Gratefully,
The Rev. Michelle Bullock
Chair of the Board
2989 Easy St
Dunn, NC 28334
(910)-567-6917
info@efwm.org