Pivoting and Producing: HyperFarm

Pivoting and Producing: Checking in with HyperFarm

By: Meggan Thompson

Kai Stoudemire-Williams, featured in last Spring’s Perspectives issue, is the founder of HyperFarm, formally Naturally Homegrown Co. The pandemic appears to finally be relenting but last year many small businesses were forced to pivot in order to stay afloat. Naturally Homegrown Co. was a delivery service of fresh produce. Due to COVID, the idea of Kai and her newborn trekking around Cincinnati delivering reusable baskets filled with in season fruits, vegetables and herbs was just a bit daunting. However, the organization wanted to continue to rebuild through the impact of COVID-19 and fulfill their mission ‘to provide access to fresh local food for families and individuals who live in food - insecure neighborhoods - with a focus on BIPOC’.

Introducing HyperFarm: a state of the art aqua-hydraulic farm located in Bond Hill. Kai worked with MORTAR and Lindner School of Business to gather resources and network. Kai and her team built and implemented gardens throughout Cincinnati that are maintained regularly and accessible to the community for harvest. Additionally, Kai partnered with organizations such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative to lead virtual classes teaching attendees how to use household items like milk or egg cartons, or even an old shoe to grow produce.

In the future, HyperFarm hopes to grow by adding a branded refrigerated truck to provide greater access and visibility.