Meet the Farmer

Monica Drazba of Midsummer Flowers LLC discovered her love of farming in her own backyard. As she planted and tended to her own garden, growing vegetables and flowers, she began to understand and grow her passion for local agriculture, even traveling as far as Fiji to  manage a vegetable garden outreach program so families could grow their own fresh, seasonal produce. Now, as she manages her own budding farm business, Monica continues to connect with her community around what it means to grow things locally and sustainably. 

Monica’s fresh flowers are grown right in Vacaville using regenerative practices that improve soil-health and increase biodiversity. As a flower farmer and florist who designs arrangements, Monica knew from the beginning that she didn’t want to buy-in flowers from other parts of the country or world to supplement her own product. Instead, she wanted to create bouquets and arrangements by harvesting blooms grown in her soil and adding stems from other local growers when her crops were impacted by weather. In prioritizing local, seasonal flowers, Monica hopes to underscore the importance of developing regional agricultural systems, ones that nurture small economies, and produce lower carbon footprints.

When growing her flowers, Monica always employs sustainable practices that both conserve natural resources and improve the soil health of her land, like using ground cloth, applying compost, and growing pollinator-friendly plants. As she continues to develop her business, Monica hopes to plant more perennial species and continue increasing biodiversity on her farm. Though her business is small, Monica hopes to reflect care for the planet and contribute to an environment that is livable for future generations. 

Read more about the values that guide Monica and Midsummer Flowers in KTA’s blog post, “Grounded Values in a Shifting Economy.”