JUNE 16 • 2022 | 13
Bronfin began virtually attending the
basic classes of Chestnut School of Herbal
Medicine in 2020-2021 and became
a Master Gardener and Master Rain
Gardener. She’s also taken courses on soap
making, lavender growing, permaculture
and kid’s herbal heath, and she is always
learning more and advancing her knowl-
edge.
By late 2021, she was in business sell-
ing her “herbal crafts based on Western
European traditions with a modern twist”
and had formally created Sunny Squirrel
Farm LLC.
Sunny, of course, because all gardens
need sun, and Squirrel because squirrels
are always in her garden, helping them-
selves to her bulbs and generally being a
nuisance. Bronfin’s motto is “everything
but the squirrels,” referring to her large
selection of 60+ types of medicinal herbs.
“Some of my herbs are native, some
are ‘wild,’ others are more exotic or edible
flowers. I’m always excited to discover
new ones and learn more about their
uses,” said Bronfin, who uses her non-
GMO homegrown plants and herbs to
create all-natural products like teas, can-
dies, salves and tinctures. “I have some-
thing for everyone. Teas for every day,
for cough and cold, for kids, for evening
relaxation and much more.”
Hours of work go into each product.
After growing the herbs, she digs the
roots, cuts the leaves and prepares and
dries them, a process that can last up to a
few weeks — unless she’s making a rush
customized order for a customer.
All products are kosher and dairy-free,
most are vegan and gluten-free as well.
She also sells plants — herbs, flowers,
tomatoes, house plants, lavender, thyme,
elderberry and raspberries.
Bronfin donates a percentage of each
sale to Keep Growing Detroit, a local
community organization that supports
food sovereignty and urban gardening,
and to S. Amuzu’s community and school
gardens in Ghana.
While she loves what she does, she said
it is not without challenges. “There have
continued on page 14