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ORAL HISTORY

Amyrose Foll

Virginia Free Farm

Amyrose Foll is the executive director of Virginia Free Farm, a nonprofit organization in Kents Store, Virginia, dedicated to addressing food insecurity, promoting indigenous agricultural practices, and fostering community through sustainable farming. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, Amyrose grew up immersed in traditional foodways, foraging, gardening, and learning ancestral skills from her heritage, which includes Odanak First Nations and Penobscot roots. After serving in the U.S. Army and working as a nurse, Amyrose turned her passion for growing food into a mission-driven enterprise. Since founding Virginia Free Farm in 2019, she has provided free food, seeds, livestock, and technical support to individuals and communities in need. Her work includes the preservation of biodiversity through heirloom seed saving and the rematriation of culturally significant seeds to indigenous tribes. Amyrose is a dynamic advocate for regenerative agriculture, using methods like controlled burns, rotational grazing, and forest gardening to enhance soil health and productivity. Her dedication to community-led solutions and her emphasis on the cultural and nutritional importance of food have made her a leader in sustainable agriculture and a mentor to farmers across Virginia and beyond.