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WESTFORD — A new business — run entirely by young women — has blossomed after its first official season.
Founded in 2022, Flowers to Empower sought to promote charity and leadership on a small parcel of land adjacent to the Westford Community Garden.
Students as young as 11-years-old grow and tend to a garden of flowers, creating hundreds of bouquets for Westford residents to purchase.
“The Westford Rotary Club and myself are very proud of all the Flowers to Empower Farmhers in their initial year.” Says Patti Mason of the Westford Rotary Club. “They worked hard, grew beautiful flowers, sold them, and picked 4 charities to support from the money they raised. They learned leadership and business skills too. Looking forward to the second year and more with this group.”
“What these young women have achieved as Founding Farmhers has exceeded everyone’s expectation,” Elizabeth Almeida, a founder of Flowers to Empower, said in a news release. “Starting with a patch of neglected farmland, they transformed it into a peaceful oasis from which they grew, harvested, and sold thousands of dollars’ worth of sunflowers and zinnias.”
She continued, “we are looking forward to another successful season in 2023, growing flowers and the next generation of community leaders.”
In their first year in business, Flowers to Empower raised $10,162. Funding is primarily used for activities, such as bike rides and small day trips. Almeida believes these experiences provide young women the experience and skills they need to succeed.
“We hope to provide a variety of experiences and then they can all get what they need,” Almeida told WestfordCAT in September. “They are all getting something different out of it.”
The organization donated $2,000 to four local charities, including the Westford Food Pantry, Newhouse Wildlife Rescue, Westford Remembers and House Rabbit Network.
“On behalf of the Westford Food Pantry, I would like to thank the young women of Flowers to Empower for making the Westford Food Pantry one of their charities of choice for 2022,” President of the Westford Food Pantry Tim Baker said in a news release.
He continued, “their very generous donation will enable us to continue to serve our many neighbors that are in need with nutritional food and personal care items. On behalf of our many volunteers as well as our neighbors that you help to support, we thank you!”
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