A Micro Herbal and Flower Farm Flourishes at Osamequin Farm
On a late summer morning, farmer Emily Shapiro of Night Garden Herbs snips handfuls of cosmos, dahlias and strawflowers in mesmerizing shades of deep pink and buttery yellow. From the third of an acre she leases at Osamequin Farm in Seekonk, Massachusetts, Shapiro has cultivated a sanctuary that reflects both her community and her own evolving passions.
Emily grew up with gardeners and herbalists in her extended family, and after volunteering and apprenticing on a few different local farms, she transitioned to lead flower grower at Osamequin. Over the past five years, she has shaped Night Garden into a space where flowers and herbs meet artistry and education. You can find her whimsical bouquets at Providence spots like Frank & Laurie’s, Sawyer’s and Fox Point Grocers, all collaborations that root her firmly within the city’s creative community. That same spirit carries into the classroom, where she also teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design. Large-scale events, including weddings, bring another dimension to her work.
Teaching at the farm, however, remains a personal touchstone. Shapiro’s Unearthing Herbal Wisdom course runs from March through October, offering eight sessions that blend permaculture practices with a deeper philosophy.
“It’s more about joining a community and learning how best to facilitate your relationship to nature and plants,” she says. “It’s about providing an entry point for people who might be interested in gardening and cultivating their own plants.”
The 2025 season has been especially full: Shapiro welcomed her first child while continuing to farm. “I’m pretty proud of how active I remained with the baby. I was working up until the day I went into labor,” she says. With support from her husband, her mother and a farm work-share team, she managed to keep Night Garden thriving.
Now, as the growing season winds down, Shapiro and her husband are dreaming ahead. Thanks to a LASA grant from Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management they will begin a new branch of Night Garden on Prudence Island—a vision that could eventually split the farm into “island” and “mainland” sanctuaries.
To learn more, explore classes or to find her flowers around Providence, visit NightGardenHerbs.com or follow along on Instagram @n.ight.garden.
