Project Description

Michele gained an appreciation for agriculture, home gardening, canning and baking while spending a summer on her grandparents’ family farm in Indiana. After earning three degrees and a career as a chef, Michele focused on raising her two children, who are now teenagers. In 2016, Michele started working for her sister Amy’s all natural dog treat business, both as a baker and in sales at farmers’ markets. After two years enjoying markets from the vendor perspective, in 2018, she and her sister started Hampton Blvd Farmers Market, a privately run, for-profit market, from scratch. Michele and Amy also completed the 2018 VAFMA Market Manager Certification together. This past year, they were approached by O’Connor Brewing Co. in Norfolk to start up a second market at their brewery. Michele handles participation in the Farmers Market Metrics Program, among other duties. She most enjoys the vendor relations aspect of the business. When she is not working, you will find Michele with her family, watching college football or cheering on the Cubs, cooking, working in her extensive heirloom vegetable garden or training her two German Shepherd puppies.