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