Amyrose is the founder of The Virginia Free Farm, which works to provide free nutrient dense food assistance to those in need. The organization also provides free-of-charge plants and seeds to community gardens, schools, and community-based organizations, as well as educates young people in the Richmond metro area about indigenous agriculture & lifeways. Amyrose’s strong background in healthcare and her native heritage (Penobscot/Abenaki) is what prompted her to begin advocating for food sovereignty, security, and preservation of indigenous food culture through seed saving & distribution. She is focusing on teaching Indigenous lifeways and ethnobotanical knowledge to the region’s children, preserving heritage seed, and feeding the community in order to cultivate the next generation of land and water protectors.

AmyRose is a U.S. Army veteran, former fire fighter-paramedic, and nurse. She has a background in Biology & Healthcare, in addition to a Master’s in Health Information Management, and digital marketing. She holds certificates in viticulture & fruit tree production, poultry production, and well as woodlot management from Cornell University.