Growing plants can seem overwhelming and intimidating to a novice home gardener, but Journey Basham of Lucayda Farms makes it accessible to everyone. Her farm is in a residential area in Cranston, and as you enter its greenhouse the fresh aroma of soil and healthy plants fills the space. Rosemary, sage, cilantro and any other herb you can think of occupy the area to the left of the door and flower plants dangle from the ceiling.
It’s a beautiful sight. Even though at this time in the season every plant is just a small start, you can recognize all the budding vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers.
Journey serves all from the most experienced gardeners to those just starting out. Many of her clients live in Providence, with small growing spaces in their yards or a plot in a community garden. On a recent visit to the greenhouse, she explained that each of her customers has a story and a reason behind their desire to garden, whether it’s for improved mental health, the desire to unwind after a stressful day at work, or to provide food for one’s family. Journey notes that farming and gardening are grounding in many ways, and she loves to share her passion for it with others. Lucayda Farm is a women-owned and women-run business; Journey believes strongly in empowering and supporting women through her farm business.
Journey Basham is an Orange County, California, native but has lived in the Ocean State long enough to identify as a Rhode Islander. She is a first-generation farmer, and she named her business after her two children, Luca and Kalayda. Once a preschool teacher, Journey has combined her passion for education and for growing things to create a business centered around teaching others how to grow their own plants, whether in the form of tomato plants, budding flowers, or sharing tips and tricks to help home gardeners do it better.
When asked about her favorite parts of owning the farm, she said, “Nonprofit work has always been the most rewarding part.” Giving back is something that she tries to do frequently. She works with different schools and with The Bradley Hospital to educate children on how to grow plants along with opportunities for them to do hands-on planting. She also works with the Rhode Island SNAP program to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to those who are food insecure.
With spring’s arrival, the Lucayda Farm greenhouse is filled with collard greens, a abundance of kale varieties, plus herb starter plants, all prepped and ready for local gardeners. In a few weeks, as the temperatures rise, so too will sales of tomato and cucumber plants. Journey and her team put their full love and attention into producing the best-quality plants for their customers. Their plant starts are grown in Vermont Compost Co. soil and other chemical- and pesticide-free mediums.
91 Valley View Drive
Cranston
*Don’t miss the Mother’s Day sale: May 10–12; 10 am to 4 pm.
Also look for Lucayda Farms at Farm Fresh RI farmers markets and local food co-op Urban Greens as well.
