Farmer Girl Eb: Business gives back to community through urban farming venture
Photos by Lisa Mullen
Farmer Girl EB in the West End opened in April.By Lisa Mullen
-BUSINESS PROFILE-
The bright green building that houses the Farmer Girl Eb store draws customers in like an urban oasis. Racks of plants line the sidewalk soaking up the sun while owner Ebony (the Eb in Farmer Girl Eb) Lunsford-Evans tends to customers in her new store which launched in April.
Lunsford-Evans took over the former Paper Moon Market on Noblestown Road and opened Farmer Girl Eb with a mission to grow and sell produce in the West End. Not only does she sell seedlings, succulents, and fresh produce, Lunsford-Evans features products from fellow female entrepreneurs, including Northern Scents Candle Company, Sweet P’s Bakery, Chaka’s Cookies and Third Day Soaps and Garden. Soups, salads, sandwiches, coffee and tea are also available.
Owner of Farmer Girl EB, Ebony Lunsford-Evans. “We are all working together to help one another,” said Lunsford-Evans.
Originally from the North Side, Lunsford-Evans taught in the Pittsburgh Public Schools for 11 years before shifting her focus to urban farming.
When neighborhood kids showed up at her Sheraden home to play with her children, she naturally began teaching them how to grow plants from seeds, how to protect food from animals and basic medical skills.
“My mission is to restore the ability of a generation to grow food. It’s about restoring what’s found in us. Our ancestors grew this world,” said Lunsford-Evans.
Lunsford-Evans also operates a community farm located at 3200 Universal St. in Sheraden where she offers classes on growing food and how to use what you’ve harvested. She invites the community to the farm Sundays and Mondays in June from 5 to 7 p.m. to see what they offer. For more information, email outoftheend@gmail.com.
Seminars at Farmer Girl Eb’s shop are offered monthly through September and are open to all. Topics include how to create natural medicines, how to grow seedlings and nutritional classes.
“I love every single bit of everything I do. It’s not about the money. It’s about helping the community and being of service,” said Lunsford-Evans.
Farmer Girl Eb is located at 1 Noblestown Road, Pittsburgh 15220. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info, call (412) 377-1773 or check out farmergirleb.com.