Meet the Founder

Joanna Letz is the Founder and Owner-Operator of Bluma Farm. 

As a small farmer and a small business owner, the margins of profit are not large but I have found that the risks and hard work are well worth the effort. I appreciate all the work - the seeding, weeding, harvesting, and selling. It is a privilege to wake up each morning, put my work clothes, work boots and hat on and head out to the farm. It is a privilege to walk out in the fields each day and see things grow, to watch the seasons change, and the birds and insect life come and go. It is a privilege to provide my community with local and organic flowers and to protect the soil, biodiversity, and ecosystems on the farm. 

During a trip that spanned five countries over eight months, I looked at the effects of globalization on small farmers, and realized the importance of small organic and diversified farms. I was inspired to create my own. I started farming in 2008 and had the great opportunity to work with and learn from many long-time organic farmers in California and quickly fell in love with the life and work.

I apprenticed on numerous farms in California including: Heaven and Earth Farm and Green Gulch Farm & Zen Center. I completed the UC Santa Cruz Farm & Garden Program (CASFS) where I received a certificate in Ecological Horticulture and went on to be the Garden Manager at Slide Ranch. At Slide, I grew over 100 varieties of vegetables and flowers. 

From the beginning, I dreamed of one day starting my own farm. In the fall of 2014, I made it happen and Bluma Farm was born!

My family are all Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. My mother’s family came to this country just after WWII. My grandparents survived the war in hiding in Poland and my mother was born in a Displaced Persons camp in Munich just before the family received visas to come to the U.S. They quickly settled in Farmingdale, NJ and for some time, they were chicken farmers but with the advent of refrigerated trains, small egg producers couldn't compete with the large farms. As it turned out, my father’s family were also chicken farmers and lived in Los Angeles but ultimately, they too could not sustain the family on their farm. My grandpa Isaac kept a large garden, long after his chicken farming days, and it was this garden that was my first exposure to plants and farming. I vividly remember his wild zucchini plants, his juicy tomatoes and his delicious honey. I am sure that it is these memories that led me to the farming world.

For me, farming is a way of life- a re-connection to the cycles of life. I always wanted to work with my hands, be outside, and be of service to people and the planet. I believe enjoying fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers is a basic human right and hope my farm can encourage others to grow plants and flowers. Farming is not easy, but the risks and hard work are worth the effort. I hope I can share a little piece of it with you, whether you come visit the farm or simply enjoy a bouquet of freshly cut flowers straight from Bluma’s soil.

Keep in touch with what's happening on the farm and find me on Instagram!