12 | JUNE 16 • 2022 

OUR COMMUNITY

W

hen Melina Bronfin moved into 
her Oak Park home 10 years ago, 
she looked at her neglected weed-
filled garden and knew she had lots of work 
ahead. Fortunately, she was in her element. 
Melina has loved nature since she was small 
and has fond childhood memories of explor-
ing the meadows beyond her small German 
hometown. She’d collect wild greens and blend 
them into soups and salads. 
Here, Bronfin cleaned her yard, began plant-
ing, and educated herself about herbs and their 
remedies. 

“I discovered that herbs have so many bene-
ficial uses — for beauty, nourishment and heal-
ing,” Bronfin said. “When my daughter, Eliana 
Rivka, was born in 2017, I knew I wanted to 
give her the best, and healthy choices became 
even more important. I then embraced a sim-
pler lifestyle with less waste, toxins and plastic.”
During the pandemic, she further honed her 
passion. 
“We never grew so many plants before!” 
she said. “I was also finally able to achieve my 
dream to start formal herbal medicine educa-
tion.”

Hands in the Dirt … 

ROCHEL BURSTYN 
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

JERRY ZOLYNSKY
PHOTOGRAPHY

Heart with Nature
Oak Park 
herbalist’s 
Sunny Squirrel 
Farm is a 
healing and 
sharing place.

Melina Bronfin and her 
daughter Eliana Rivka

