Our first guests of 2021 are Lagusta Yearwood and Ken Greene. They are both small businesses owners  based in the Hudson Valley, New York.

Lagusta started as a catering service but now owns a small vegan chocolate company called Lagusta’s Luscious, a cafe in New Paltz, and co-owns a retail shop in New York City. She also recently authored a cookbook titled Sweet and Salty. And she does all these with high ethical standards and a fashion style I can only dream of. From her company’s website, her life’s work is to prove that a business doesn’t have to lose its heart to thrive.

Her good friend Ken Greene started Hudson Valley Seed Library where people could obtain and exchange open-pollinated seeds. In time he and his partner Doug grew the library to the Hudson Valley Seed Company and the not-for-profit Seedshed. All of their seeds are heirloom or open-pollinated, and gardeners are encouraged to save their own seeds. They host an open call every year where artists submit designs for their seed packs, creating a vibrant intersection between art and gardening.

Host: Keiko Sono

Producer: Olivia Meynadasy

Theme Music: Jon Notar