Damiana Andonova, originally from Bulgaria’s southwestern wine country, is exploring the development of a micro farm in South Haven, Mich. She envisions a small storybook-style micro farm where she plans to grow berries, mushrooms, and rare cut flowers, with an emphasis on regenerative practices and land stewardship.

Growing up in Bulgaria, Damiana’s great-grandmother raised chickens and goats, while she helped her family tend to a fruit garden. Those early experiences continue to spark her interest in cultivating food in a way that is sustainable and deeply rooted in tradition. She wants to honor those roots in South Haven.

Laying the Groundwork for Sustainable Growth

Her goal is to advance regenerative farming practices locally by offering crops that are uncommon in the area and well-suited for local soil. Although she’s taken coursework in soil science, a big turning point was retaining the services of an agricultural business consultant, Janine Aquino, with the help of GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth grant.

“It helped me build an integrated pest management plan and strengthen my business strategy,” said Damiana. She also worked with mentors through USDA’s SCORE program, which gave her access to local guidance that helped shape her plans.

The grant dollars also allowed Damiana to participate in the Four Star Mushroom Plant Tour in Chicago where she toured the facility, asked questions and learned how mushroom operations function at different scales. She noted it enabled her to understand how others are entering the market and how they are gaining and retaining clients.

“I was really blown away by the Four Star Mushroom Plant Tour with their resilience and the relationships they have built over the years. Seeing Joe and Sean’s facility and the controlled environment they have built for their commercial mushroom operation helped me clarify the direction I wish to pursue. The experience was beneficial for me to understand production methods, sanitation standards, and how to really grow smart to scale,” said Damiana.

Damiana found the grant from researching agritourism and Michigan agricultural resources. “As someone who was very early in the process of exploring what to do, it was great to find a grant that helps young founders feel supported in their journey to make their dreams real. That’s what made the CultivateGrowth grant stand out to me. From helping to identify and access early resources to get me on the right path and guide me on how to move forward, I felt supported from the very beginning.”

Looking ahead, Damiana plans to dig deeper with sanitation protocols, safety measures, and capital equipment planning. “I am thinking bigger about how to create a system that is safe, efficient, and aligned with organic and regenerative values, while still being realistic for a small operation. I want to build something meaningful that lasts.”

If you are interested in exploring opportunities for support through GreenStone, click here to learn more about the CultivateGrowth grant.