We recently connected with Amanda Galvez and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Rose Lane Farms, LA’s only heirloom garden rose farm, has provided many meaningful experiences. Nestled in the midst of urbanism, the farm offers a calm space where nature flows in the most natural and unforced way. Being in its’ presence allows connections to our roses, soil, animals, and all the people we interact with. Working with both the roses and the land has brought up many lessons. Emotionally, I’ve learned how to be present within my work, how to have patience with lifecycles, and how interconnected humans can be with each other and the land. With that being said, not everything is picturesque. We face challenges of weather, working with minimal resources, no electricity, and have to adapt when certain roses are not blooming, or run into growing problems.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

This is my sixth season working at Rose Lane Farms. At the farm I assist with farming practices, but mainly create bouquets and arrangements for our customers. I run delivery’s across LA, and have the amazing pleasure of being a liaison between some of clients and our farm team. I design with color and texture in mind, allowing the natural shape of the rose to speak for itself. I enjoy collaborating with people to bring their flower vision to life, and I love seeing people’s expressions light =up when they see me walk in the door with roses.
I come from a farming background- working with livestock and some grazing, as well as with vegetables. I have previously grown my own flowers from a plot called Dappled Fawn Farm, and appreciate the process of land stewardship. I view my relationship with nature as serving as a connector- tending, nurturing, learning, and appreciating to all my work.
When I am not at the farm, I am actually a librarian and literature teacher. I try to intersect my passions of teaching, and growing to live a multi-faceted and meaningful life.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Some of my favorite authors involving nature would be Mary Oliver’s poetry, Robin Wall Kimmerer’s books (especially her story of the Three Sisters from Braiding Sweetgrass), Alice Water’s memoirs and cookbooks, and early Pastoral Poems. I am greatly inspired by art and art history- particularly still life paintings of tables. Looking at food and agricultural history throughout time and place is a big interest of mine, and Eaten Magazine is one of my favorite for this. I take inspiration from cookbooks, essays, color pallets, and emotions.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Supporting local farms of all kinds is essential. I thinking having a perspective of overall consumption is important when thinking about waste. One thing that I think is a lost practice is the idea of trading. Trading for goods, especially amongst other artisans, is an incredible way to give and receive, create a more personal touch, and to collaborate with respect to another persons craft.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @a__galvez @dappled_fawn
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandagalvez?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com

Image Credits

Amanda Galvez
Cover Photo by Amber Lu
Collaborative arrangement made by Amanda Galvez and Lynne Vinkovic