Faces of the INW: Maria Vandervert

BY ALYSSA AGEE

On a warm spring evening I met with the owner of Dragonfly Urban Farm, Maria Vandervert, in her backyard for a tour of the no-dig, veganic farm she has worked so hard to develop. She started the farm four years ago and now sells her microgreens, salad mixes and baby vegetables. Dragonfly Urban Farm sets out to test the belief that it is possible to be profitable and environmentally conscious and sustainable simultaneously. Every aspect of the business is evaluated through the lens of environmental stewardship and leads to decisions like Maria’s most recent goal to replace all of the plastic plug trays used for plant starts with a long-lasting version.

Name:

Maria Vandervert

Current Neighborhood:

South Hill

When you’re not farming what do you do to pay the bills?

I am the Communications and Marketing Manager for Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI). It’s given me a completely different take to be both a small business owner and part of the marketing team for GSI.

What does it mean to be a veganic bio-intensive farm?

It means that we are on a small lot growing many different crops that can be harvested and replanted quickly while simultaneously taking care of the soil. We use a lot of compost, and we do not till the ground but instead layer it with a thick blanket of compost. My farm doesn’t use any kind of chemical fertilizer, choosing instead to utilize natural methods of pest prevention such as netting for the beets planted this season.

And what about veganic?

I have been vegan for thirteen years now as an ethical choice, and that extends to my business as well. This practice is a large part of the choice to be a no-till farm in an effort to not harm the microbiome in any way possible.

How long have you lived in Spokane?

I’ve lived in Spokane pretty much my whole life, and now my husband and I are raising two boys here.

How does growing and preparing food contribute to community building?

Food is one of the things we all have in common. We all have to eat. One of my passions is health and sharing with another person nutrient-dense, delicious greens and knowing that it does so much good for the body and soul makes all the difference in the world.

Where do you take out-of-towners when they come to visit?

My number one go-to is either Greenbluff or Carver Farms in Newman Lake. We love to U-pick all kinds of fruits and vegetables.

Favorite local restaurant(s)?

I love international food and I am always on the lookout for small, funky spots around town or the corner neighborhood bar vibe. I am a big fan of Allie’s Vegan Pizzeria.

Is there anything that gets you a little nostalgic that we no longer have in Spokane?

I miss more of a time period than specific things about Spokane. I remember eating fresh watermelon or picking beans in my Grandmother’s garden in the 80s, and that has impacted my life in so many ways that I can’t even explain. I miss the freedom of not having cell phones and instant access to technology.

What do you hope for Spokane in the future?

It is encouraging to see how many people in Spokane are working to create a healthy economy, building this community with more jobs and bringing diverse industries here. I would love to see us focus resources on growing the preventative health industry here. This can be a tough sell since it isn’t always highly lucrative financially, but the long-term benefits ultimately benefit all of us. Growing and eating good, nutritious food is integral for preventing illness and promoting wellness.

What’s your go-to summer refreshment?

I love any kind of salad I can get my hands on and especially salads filled with layers of greens and vegetables and especially raw veg. My oldest loves smoothies and often uses greens straight from our garden in his blends.

This summer Maria is launching a 10-Week Salad Share program that will feature an assortment of her lettuces and greens as well as vegetables, flowers, herbs, and more.

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