Tanya Spandhla, Owner
In celebration of Black History Month, the Food Council is highlighting Black-owned MoCo Made businesses.
From the farm to your plate, Passion to Seed Gardening (PTSG) offers ethnic vegetables, white dent corn, horned melons and other varieties of mainstream vegetables, all sustainably and organically grown. Read below for more about Passion to Seed and what inspired the owner, Tanya Spandhla to start her farming journey.
How did Passion to Seed Gardening start?
- I got a small plot through a Montgomery county community garden. Once I started enjoying my own produce whilst sharing with my friends and relatives, I realized that there was a real demand for fresh, sustainably grown produce.
What inspired you to get into the industry?
- My upbringing in Zimbabwe and my soon to be 81 year old Mum, who is still farming in Zimbabwe
- My yearning to eat naturally grown produce without chemicals
- My husband suffered a debilitating stroke in 2009 which left him with right side paralysis. As a result of this unfortunate life altering event, I was encouraged to grow my own vegetables for household use.
Can you describe any challenges you have faced specifically as a farmer? 
- Lack of accessible & affordable land is a major challenge.
What advice would you give to aspiring Black farmers/business owners?
- If you find it within yourself that farming is something you enjoy, that’s a good first step. Then it’s time to get your hands dirty and gum boots muddy. This is a hands on and not an overnight get rich quick encounter, so besides packing your farming gear, you also have to pack a lot of patience.
What has been your favorite part about owning a farm?
- Eating my own organically grown produce without worrying about what type of chemicals were used in growing and how sustainably the produce was grown. Additionally, the opportunity to partner with Manna Food in supplying them fresh produce to be distributed to communities in need within Montgomery County has been one of my highlights in pursuing this venture.
“I find therapy in interacting with the soil, putting a tiny seed into the ground, seeing it grow into a bountiful harvest. Personally it gives me hope, faith, renewal of spirit irrigated by drops of love on each plant I put into the ground.” Tanya Spandhla
Check us out their products and learn more on Passsiontoseedgardening.net.