We were lucky to catch up with Stacey Harley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Stacey , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I come from a long line of Black farmers who taught me the true meaning of hard, honest, and purposeful work. My great-grandparents and their cousins purchased farmland here in Southern Maryland over a century ago — a time when owning land was no easy task for Black families. That land became more than soil; it became a legacy of resilience, pride, and family unity.
We farmed to live, and everyone had a hand in the work — adults and children alike. My first job at 14 was working the fields and greenhouses alongside my great-uncle and cousins, just like my mother did before me, and her mother before her. Those early days in the dirt shaped who I am. They taught me patience, respect for the land, and the satisfaction that comes from growing your own food with your own hands.
Farming taught me that honest labor builds character. When you can do this kind of work — rising early, tending the soil, and seeing life grow from your effort — everything else in life feels a little easier. I saw the way people respected my family for their integrity, their consistency, and their deep connection to the land. That same spirit guides me today as I continue the legacy they started — honoring the past while planting seeds for the future.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m blessed to own and operate several purpose-driven businesses that reflect my love for nature, community, and wellness.
Bleu Creek Bullies is my French Bulldog breeding program — a passion project built on love and care. We focus on raising happy, healthy pups that become cherished emotional support companions for families.
The Heart of Ohke was born from my appreciation for nature’s beauty and healing energy. I handcraft jewelry using natural stones and create a curated line of herbal wellness products that encourage balance, peace, and holistic well-being.
My newest and most fulfilling venture, Naturez Daughter LLC, brings all of my passions together. It’s a community-centered initiative rooted in environmental stewardship, cultural heritage, and sustainable living. Through Naturez Daughter, I grow and share organic produce while empowering underserved communities. Our work includes yard restoration, organic garden installations that promote food sovereignty, youth and intergenerational nature programs, herbal healing workshops, and meal deliveries for elders in need.
By bridging traditional ecological knowledge with modern sustainability practices, Naturez Daughter helps cultivate resilience, self-sufficiency, and a deeper connection to the land.
I also host farm tours where visitors can learn about the rich history of the land and the importance of land ownership, stewardship, and sustainability.
You can book a workshop for your club or organization:
🌱 Sow & Grow — learn how to grow your own food and reconnect with the soil.
🌿 Roots & Remedies — explore herbs, their healing benefits, and how to craft teas and remedies personalized to your wellness needs.
You can find me at the Anne Arundel County Farmers Market every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., where I offer freshly harvested produce. For those who can’t make it to the market, I also provide a convenient local delivery service.
Stay tuned — our official website launches in 2026, and I can’t wait to share even more ways to grow, heal, and thrive together through Naturez Daughter.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I can truly say my family background has shaped so much of who I am and the path I’ve chosen. Growing up surrounded by hard work, care for the land, and a deep respect for nature guided me toward my purpose. My Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Animal Science, and Business Technology from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, along with my lifelong love for nature, have both played a big role in my journey.
If I could offer any advice, it would be this: listen to your heart. Do what you love — even if it feels a little scary at first. It’s okay to start small; growth takes time, patience, and faith. Surround yourself with people who share your passion and your purpose, because community makes the journey richer.
No matter what, keep going, keep doing, keep believing. Every step, even the hard ones, is shaping you for something beautiful. In the end, it will all be worth it.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m always excited to connect with other urban farmers, growers, and nature lovers who share a passion for growing good food and reconnecting with the land.
At Naturez Daughter, we’re always looking for more spaces to grow, teach, and nourish our communities. Whether you have land to share, ideas to grow, or simply a willing pair of hands — there’s a place for you here.
Volunteers and collaborators are always welcome. Let’s plant seeds of change together.
You can reach out by email at [email protected] or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram @NaturezDaughter — we’d love to grow with you!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturez.daughter?igsh=MXZqNnB1OWNjbHF5ZQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577945114967
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
