We were lucky to catch up with Latasha Frye recently and have shared our conversation below.
Latasha , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Fleeing from domestic violence landed me and my family on 120 acres of beautiful land filled with livestock and enough land to feed a small nation. We became ranchers, homesteaders living off the land. That’s when it came to me. I need to make this available for all other women who want out. A place to hide and heal. I took the biggest risk in life to get to safety. I want to make sure the next victim has a place to run to.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Farming and herbalism go hand and hand. Getting into farming was all by accident. Living in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Atlanta keeping kids out of trouble is a full time job. So we taught them (and others) how to grow food. We took over an abandoned apartment complex in out neighborhood and started a community garden. From there my field of herbalism grew. We grew all foods and herbs from A to Z. Showing children where their food comes from was an amazing experience. Giving them a sense of pride in their work, futures, and dreams. Amazing what a seed, some sun and a few drips of water can do to a spirit.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Pivot is as close as any other word. My pivot came when we were running for our lives. I wanted to farm, that’s it! I also wanted to help women like me. How can I do both? I have to help these women. Having a women’s shelter on a farm was my goal. Hiding and healing off the love of the land. It’s more than business, I wanted it to be my life.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Care. You have to care. You have to love what you do. At times it won’t be pretty, or easy or quick. Respect. Respect for yourself, respect for your clients, respect for work, time and effort you’ve put in. Most importantly your end game, reasons for starting and continuing.
What’s your why? Succeeding takes efforts. Your why, will determine your efforts.
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Image Credits
Photo by Daijranae McCloud and Rita P