Meet Elizabeth Kessler Medrano | Hydroponic Microgreens Farmer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Kessler Medrano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Root 1867 LLC has been in the making since 2018, when I found my passion for plants. I stumbled upon Boston Ferns for two dollars a piece that year and couldn’t resist. I didn’t realize I was embarking on a healing journey through plants, nor did I immediately see the seed that was planted for a business venture in the future.

I hung four ferns on my cart as I watched my three-year-old jump for joy. We brought them home and rearranged our space to fit them in nice and cozy. My three-year-old kept giggling through the process. I asked him if he was happy, to which he replied, “Yes, because they’re talking to us, Mommy.” I asked him what they were saying, and he said, “I can’t talk about it, but don’t worry, Mommy, they’re talking to us.” I thought he must have been feeling or hearing their energy.

We went back the next day for two more ferns. We picked up a few succulents and mint varieties, too. Our home was filled with fresh, green energy, but it didn’t stop there. The new obsession grew. I brought home a snake plant, several pots of lemongrass and sage. Propagation experiments led to germination experiments, which led to container gardening on our patio. Tomato vines covered our windows, sage and lemongrass were overflowing, and the sweet smell of pepper plants danced in the morning sun.

As the plants grew, so did our interest in agriculture. We learned all the different ways we could enjoy our plants, from food to spiritual practices to remedies. Now, here we are learning and growing with the most nurturing plants around. Microgreens.

The thoughts behind starting an Urban Microgreens Farm began to form in 2022 and have carried me into creating a business that would serve my community through hydroponic agricultural education and providing the service of delivering nutrient dense produce directly to my community.

What should our readers know about your business?
The most important factor behind the success of Root 1867 LLC, is our mission to deliver high-quality, nutrient dense produce directly to our community. Aligning with this mission is the effort of educating my community through the benefits of eating healthy microgreens. Sharing about the sustainability that is practiced through hydroponic producing methods adds another aligned perspective. The one on one, face-forward connections I’m building throughout my community are changing lives one conversation at a time. Putting Integrity and Authenticity at the front of these connections and how I conduct business, is what sets me apart. My word will always be received with actions that ensure a high-quality outcome while my authenticity sets me apart from those in the rest of my field. I like to include every piece of my uniqueness into my business because it sets a standard in putting my brand forward in the market.

I am most excited about what the future holds for Root 1867 LLC. I can literally feel the fire of passion in my soul when I think about my ultimate end result. However, I do not visualize an end to my career. I foresee a future where a family legacy is carried through the ages much like my farming ancestors envisioned in 1867. My future goal is in regenerative farming through hydroponic produce while livestock tend to the dying land. Wildflowers and native species will cover the wild landscape attracting bees and hummingbirds. My vision for community connection lies in market days on the farm where visitors pick the produce right off the aeroponic tower, visit the animals, gather some eggs, and stay for a farm to table meal. Professionally, I would like to create a mark in the sustainability movement, becoming a leader for continued education through hydroponics, teaching others how to grow their own food and sustainably support their own families, communities and land.

For now, you can find us at local farmers’ markets and take advantage of our grow to order process. More information can be found on our Instagram @ROOT.1867.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I wouldn’t create an itinerary but here are the places we’d visit and things we’d do. First, I would tell them to visit in the spring season when the weather is nice. The Museum District and Hermann Park are classic sites to see. Cadillac Bar, Champ Burger, Oishi Sushi, boiled crawfish from almost anywhere and a Shawarma Plate form Al’s Quick Stop would be part of the dining experience, while neighborhood bars and dives such as The Dirt Bar, Reserve 101, D&W Lounge, Double Trouble, Truck Yard and anything in EaDo would be on the list. Live music would absolutely need to be on the itinerary at any of the local venues like Continental Club, House of Blues or 713 Music Hall. Since it would be springtime, an Astros game would be necessary! We would definitely frequent the many parks around town but also drive out to take in the beauty of the Texas Bluebonnets.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to first pay recognition to my dad and grandmother who always shared their deep knowledge pertaining to nature and the many stories of our farming ancestors. As a child I held onto every word. I didn’t realize this insight would mold me into who I am today in the beginning stages of my agricultural journey. Root 1867 LLC wouldn’t be where it is today without the support of my husband, my three children and my aunt. Without their love, support and accountability I would not be moving forward at the pace I’ve kept. Also, I would like to include Mandi & CJ at On the Grow Farms for their pioneering efforts in hydroponics for the small farmer. Their book, Becoming a Microgreens Master, and their reusable grow medium have helped me overcome obstacles that arise with growing in small spaces. Finally, Laura Patterson of Handgrown Greens & the microgreens farming community within her Microgreens Academy, Toni of Bluebird Bath Boutique, Laura Huey at Texan Folk, all of my business owner friends who inspire me daily, my friends, loyal clients & customers.

Website: www.root1867.com

Instagram: Business: @ROOT.1867 Personal: @lizkessler_spiritanimal

Image Credits
Myself – Elizabeth Kessler Medrano