Ayla started Shade Studio after eleven years of farming for others. After studying human ecology at College of the Atlantic in Maine, she was able to apply theory to experience and get her hands dirty. She’s been lucky to travel while working for many knowledgeable farmers; her “true education”.

From an organic cherry orchard in British Columbia, community permaculture project in Costa Rica, Bio-intensive CSA model in the Peruvian Andes, and a production veggie farm in mid-coast CA (and more). She’s gained a well-rounded, diversified experience in the field. Her last job was on a sustainable flower farm in MA. After falling in love with growing specialty flowers and floral design work, she decided to start her own business. Her experience in a six month permaculture design course through UC Santa Cruz in 2018 shaped her priorities and ethics as a farmer. The course instilled the importance of regenerative designs and systems, to promote biodiversity, build strong soil ecology, and reduce the heavy carbon footprint of traditional agriculture. Responsible land management is the heartbeat of this little farm.