Angela Moragne points to the garden she created for her grandson. (Photo by Amelia Jones)
That Salsa Lady sign graces the front window of That Hood Ranch.
(Photo by Amelia Jones)
Angela Moragne loses track of time when she gardens at “That Hood Ranch,” her urban ranch. It’s “soothing” and “poetic” to watch “nature starting to incubate its own self,” she says. But it’s also good business. The backyard of her house contains 21 separate gardens where she grows tomatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, hot peppers and ginseng for six companies that pay to use the land.
Consisting of 20,000 square feet, the ranch is a fixer-upper located in Lincoln Creek on Milwaukee’s North Side. Moragne, a social entrepreneur, purchased the abandoned property from a local developer in 2014.
Moragne created the ranch two years ago with five gardens where she grew ingredients for That Salsa Lady, a gourmet salsa and tortilla chip company that she owns and operates with her daughter, Stevey Pitts, 26. In March, she added 16 more gardens in collaboration with Good Stuff Gardens, 2520 N. 20th St., which makes jams and pickled goods.
That Hood Ranch collaborates with community members such as police officers in the 7th District who come one weekend every month to pull weeds, harvest plants and repair fences.
One of Moragne’s neighbors, James Madison, supports her efforts. “The urban ranch is a good motivator for people in the neighborhood to do something positive,” he said.
Eight companies have gardens at That Hood Ranch. (Photo by Amelia Jones)
Good Stuff Gardens, Neu-Life Community Development, Teens Grow Green, Funky Fresh Spring Rolls, the Victory Garden Initiative and neighborhood youth assisted in preparing and planting new beds.
In addition, artist Fidel Verdin, outreach director at TRUE Skool, will paint murals on the back of the house.
“That Hood Ranch has connected so many community members,” Moragne said. “People want to be a part of it.”
Moragne launched an online campaign in April to raise money for improvements such as adding a greenhouse and enhancing the gardens’ irrigation system, but has raised only $300 so far.
“When people ask where to grow specialty items during the year I want the answer to be, ‘You gotta go to That Hood Ranch!’” Moragne said.
At That Salsa Lady, Moragne gives back to the community through “flava forward,” a version of “pay it forward.” If a customer doesn’t have enough money for a purchase, Moragne uses money from tips to make up the difference.
“Flava forward makes people’s day,” she said. “Nobody is embarrassed and everyone walks away with salsa.”
Did you like this story? Give Today
Nice article. We want to be sure folks know Neu Life Community Development also came out. The young men and their director Tracy H came out to relocated heavy logs and debris. They were instrumental in the literal Heavy Lifting. We also congratulate them on the $100k award to remodel their commercial kitchen.
Congratulations Angela, way to lead a community
Beautiful garden, but I met Lucas Dixon of The Good Stuff Gardens at the Riverwest Farmers Market and as it is noted in the article his efforts played a part in planning and building the garden. Yet, he informed me that Angela will not let him harvest any crop even though their was an arrangement made allowing him to do so as compensation for all the time he and his workers put in on the garden. I checked out the Good Stuff Garden facebook page and saw pictures of work being done starting with tilling and planting.
Mike S it is unfortunate you have been misinformed.
Certain things end. Unlike others, We will not use this or any one sided forum to explain other than to say, we have been in business over 5yrs, with excellent service and more. Our reputation unlike others, contradicts the claim.
We even went so far as to still include them in the article after their decision not to complete the agreed upon terms.
So saddened anyone would provide false information to bolster a claim.
Just not what we are about.
We appreciate the work done. However, if someone is not dedicated to this community, this city and its residents in a manner which is of integrity and honor, we cannot in good conscience allow them to be a part of what we continue to do for our neighbors and you.
Be well.
a good idea for the garden , this idea can be applied to my back yard . thanks to his ideas
Glad it helped!
Good Idea. Brilliant to make inovation on garden, Im interasted to do that on my back yard. thanks for inspiring me
You are most welcome. Thank you for letting us know we are on the right track.