Shara Trierweiler | Community Member Spotlight

At my heart, I am a steward of the land and a believer in the power of conscious, sustainable growth. I was born and raised on the island of St Lucia and moved to the US when I started my undergrad at Franciscan University. I then did my Masters at Boston College and began a career in finance and investments. In 2013 I met a woman at the Ohio State Fair who introduced me to farming. She changed the trajectory of my life. I quit my job in finance and started doing work study on farms and working part time for Safelite. In 2016 I finally was able to start a farm and the rest is history.

I am the founder and owner of Agape Organic Farms, a 30-acre certified organic farm in Dansville. Being 100% Black woman-owned, my work at the farm is about more than just agriculture; it’s about creating a space that honors the environment while providing high-quality food, and honoring the great responsibility to our community. This work honors both the people who came before me and created space for me, and the responsibility I carry to create space for those who are yet to come. We specialize in raising purebred Berkshire pigs and cultivating gourmet mushrooms, always keeping the health of the soil and the well-being of the animals at the forefront of our operations.

My life is deeply rooted in the values of integrity, empathy, and inclusivity. Whether I am managing the complexities of organic farming or mentoring others in sustainable practices, I approach every decision with the goal of fostering a healthier, more equitable food system.

Outside of the daily rhythms of farm life, I am constantly looking for ways to bridge the gap between people and the food they eat. I believe that farming is one of the most direct ways to connect with a community—it’s about feeding people, educating them on where their food comes from, and building trust through transparency and hard work.

My goals are centered on long-term impact. I want to continue scaling Agape Organic Farms in a way that remains true to our mission of sustainable stewardship. I hope to inspire others, particularly underrepresented voices in agriculture, to see that they can build successful, ethical, and thriving businesses that leave the earth better than they found it. I want to be remembered as someone who led with kindness, stood by my principles, and helped cultivate a more resilient community.

Tell us about a recent local event or experience you enjoyed.

There is something incredibly grounding about the local farmers market season. Being on the other side of the booth and seeing the faces of people who have been purchasing our mushrooms and pork for years is a highlight I never took for granted.

Watching a family learn about how we raise our Berkshire pigs or explaining the process of growing gourmet mushrooms is a reminder of why we do this. It was not just a transaction; it was a connection. Seeing the community value local, organic food made all the early mornings and hard work on the farm feel completely worth it. However, some unfortunate events made this no longer possible so I've transitioned to connecting to my community through a video cooking and farming blog. The goal is to connect with my community through my love of food, cooking and farming while sharing things that I've learned along the way. I work daily on becoming the best version of me that I can. I really hope to demystify and encourage others to try authentic Caribbean food and to help them become as passionate about good food and cooking as I am. Please consider following me on Instagram (@onthefarmwithshara).

If you could only eat at ONE locally-owned restaurant for an entire month, which would you choose (and why)?

That is an impossible choice. I am fortunate to be close friends with so many local food business owners in Lansing, and I simply couldn’t pick just one. I am deeply invested in and passionate about our local food scene. I’ve watched it grow and evolve significantly during my time here, and I am genuinely excited about its future. Having seen firsthand the immense effort, passion, and resilience required to run a restaurant in this city, I am incredibly proud of every person who pours their heart into their craft to put something special on our plates every single day.

Which local business, organization, or place deserves way more attention than it gets?

I’d have to highlight Fifth String Food Truck and La Mulata. I’m fortunate to be close friends with Chef Matt, and I’ve seen firsthand the dedication he pours into perfecting his craft and growing his business. He truly deserves more recognition for the incredible work he’s doing in both his food truck and in the community to support minority business owners through Allen Street Market programming. I also want to shine a light on La Mulata; their authentic Cuban cuisine is a local treasure that everyone needs to experience. I know that by only choosing two, I will miss mentioning many other wonderful spots and possibly hurt some people, but it was important to me to use this space to amplify voices that are often overlooked but truly deserving of our support that I’m familiar with.

What’s a piece of life advice you’d like to share with anyone reading this?

"The enemy of the best is the good." It’s easy to settle when things are just "good enough," becoming comfortable and familiar while missing out on what could be truly extraordinary. Often, it’s that sense of adequacy that keeps us from reaching our full potential, whereas something clearly bad would push us to find a better path. Don’t let the comfort of mediocrity hold you back; keep pushing for the best, because settling for "good enough” is exactly what deprives us of greatness.

Building something meaningful—whether it’s a farm, a business, or a relationship—takes time, patience, and a lot of care. A few pillars I live by:

• Integrity is non-negotiable. How you do the work matters as much as the result.

• Empathy drives innovation. When you truly understand the needs of the people you serve, you find better solutions.

• Stewardship over ownership. We are just passing through; our job is to leave the land and the community better than we found it.

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