Page 8 - BUZZ Magazine - Issue No. 3 - Summer 2022 | University of Rochester

ALUMNAE
ENTREPRENEURS

FROM THE GROUND UP:

Emma Rainwater ’11

and Naomi Salama ’08

These farmers and life partners talk about
creativity, sustainability, and seasonal wisdom.

mma Rainwater ’11 and Seasonal wisdom Rainwater and Salama believe
E Naomi Salama ’08 run During the planting and in seasonal wisdom. This means
Rainwater Farms in Honeoye harvesting season, each day creating healthy food on healthy
Falls, N.Y., a small farm where begins with a walk. “A 20-minute soil for a healthy community. It
they grow fruits and vegetables walk gives me time to notice the also means being aware of and
and make wood crafts from weeds that need tending, bugs doing what they can to lessen
materials on their land. The that are about to take over a crop, their ecological impact.
couple lives there with their two- plants that need special attention,
year-old daughter, Norah, a flock and equipment that needs fixing,” For instance, they use push-
of chickens, a rooster named says Rainwater, who dedicates behind cultivators and rely on
Rex, two dogs named Barley 100 percent of her time to the a tractor for moving compost
and Crook, and an array of deer, farm. Salama is a house-call and growing their vegetables in
rabbits, and other visitors from veterinarian during the day and permanent, raised beds. They
the neighboring woods. a farmer during her off-hours. also use their fields in rotation,

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