Meet Lucille Butler: Head Farmer & Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lucille Butler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lucille, how do you think about risk?
Risk, I feel, is one of the strongest methods available to gauge one’s passion, or passions. It begs the questions “what am I willing to do””, and “how uncomfortable am I willing to be to see this blossom into something that brings forth joy?” For me, risk is something I’ve learned to hold hands with because the very nature of growing anything from seed or transplant outdoors involves risk. I think with Flora Gothica Farms, creating a brand around the goth subculture and aesthetic I associate myself with while also remaining true to who I am and where I’ve come from was risky. Trying to grow primarily heirlooms and special varieties of crops commercially (and profitably) versus the tried and true is, and continues to be risky. There are lots of other examples of this, but I’ve found, so far that each time I take a risk, if it works out, that’s great! If the risk wasn’t calculated enough, that’s still great, because I can take notes and share that failure and experience with others so they too can learn. Risk it for the biscuit, as they say!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
So Flora Gothica Farms is a series of residential market gardens primarily based in Roswell, GA. Pretty much started out real tiny, going to a local farmers market (Sweet Apple!) while trying to figure out who was interested in what I was trying to provide. Simultaneously, learning about Georgia-specific agricultural practices through interning/visiting other farms in Georgia helped me get to where FGF is now. We happily run a CSA, providing valuable produce shares to those willing to partake. It wasn’t and still isn’t easy, but it has been getting easier and smoother, so the excitement of it all rebuilds each season! Tenacity and consistency are key!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This question is difficult because COVID-19 really put a damper on everything, and some of my favourite spots suspended or closed down. Amsterdam Cafe was my favourite spot to dance and hang out with friends for goth and 80’s nights. I know there are events still happening at The Highlander and Star Bar, but I’ve been pretty isolated and quarantined for most of this pandemic, so I’d have to watch and see where our new goth night hotspots are going to be in the future! Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Everybody. Seriously, all the individuals who have shared, liked, or follow @floragothicafarms on social media, all the groups that have assisted in helping with projects at the sites (especially Black Too Earth), all the family members who’ve supported me when things got super rocky. All the organizations that have coordinated events to help further my education (@georgiaorganics, @cobbmastergardeners, @foodwellalliance @cngfarming, @Blacktooearth). And a big shoutout to those closest to me that let me vent at them when things aren’t going as swimmingly as I’d like, y’all know who y’all are :)!

Website: floragothica.farm

Instagram: floragothicafarms

Facebook: facebook.com/floragothicafarms

Image Credits
T. Phifer