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Hello all. My name is Anna Strayer and I am raising money on behalf of my boyfriend, Devon Shaw, who is the owner and operator of The Soul Patch, a greenhouse business that grows quality annuals, perennials, house plants and succulents. Devon is facing a lawsuit involving his business being on his grandmother's property. Since Devon is living with her and working on the land, it has allowed his grandma to stay in her own home because he is there to help. Please read below for the full story or scroll to "The Situation" section for more info on the lawsuit.
Devon created The Soul Patch three years ago after graduating from the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute with a Horticulture and Greenhouse Management degree in 2019 at the age of 19 years old. However, his love affair with flowers and growing crops was born even before his college experience.
His Roots
Devon grew up spending his weekends and summers on his grandpa’s property which was home to the family business, Winterfeld Family Flowers, a greenhouse business located right on Soul Road in Swanton, OH for over 20 years starting in 1974. Devon learned the tricks of the trade from his grandpa and more modern techniques from working at several retail greenhouse businesses in the Toledo area. During high school, Devon moved in with grandma and grandpa on their property to start developing The Soul Patch. Throughout college, Devon drove home every weekend to work in his own greenhouse. Grandpa Winterfeld passed away in the fall of 2019 from heart disease, but was able to be involved in The Soul Patch’s first spring season. Although grandpa is no longer with us, Devon has carried on his legacy by continuing their shared passion of growing plants. Devon still lives with his grandma, and to this day she loves to come outside and help in the greenhouses.
On the property, Devon’s greenhouses are his workshop. He grows and sells his crop at multiple farmers’ markets year round in the Toledo area.
Devon has also expanded his business beyond farmers’ markets and become heavily involved within the community. He partners with In Bloom, a local florist shop in Maumee, Ohio, and supplies their plants for the Plant of the Month club. He plants window boxes and pots for store fronts such as Edward Jones in Wauseon, Ohio and Consign it! in Toledo, Ohio. Furthermore, he provides mums for the Fulton County Special Olympics Fall Fundraiser as well as poinsettias and live evergreen wreaths for their Holiday Fundraiser. Lastly, he arranges holiday centerpieces for Kingston Residence of Perrysburg, Ohio for families to purchase and gift their loved ones in the residence.
The Situation
In March 2021, after attempting to build a fourth hoop house to grow more flower crops, a zoning dispute with Swanton Township started and has since developed into a lawsuit. The property on Soul Road is zoned “Agriculture” and Swanton Township is under the impression that The Soul Patch is a commercial business, including the manufacturing and distributing of plants which is not permitted on Agricultural property.
However, The Soul Patch is an agriculture business operating on agriculturally zoned land, much like his grandpa’s business in 1974. According to Ohio state law, “Agriculture businesses in the state of Ohio are exempt from township zoning regulations and permits.”
The Soul Patch does not sell on the property or distribute large quantities of plants off the property. Devon simply loads and drives a Chevy pickup truck and trailer to farmers markets around town to sell his homegrown flowers.
No Rain, No Flowers
Devon is very familiar with the seasonal challenges that come along with working in the greenhouse industry. However, we’ve reached the point where we can no longer fight for our flowers without community involvement. The legal expenses are beginning to overwhelm our budget and we need your help! The money raised will be spent on our legal defense fees. We will use it to pay the lawyers fighting our case and court costs.
Thank You For Your Help
We would greatly appreciate any help whether that is giving a little green or sharing this post on social media to help us reach our goal! Every penny counts! Thank you!
Devon created The Soul Patch three years ago after graduating from the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute with a Horticulture and Greenhouse Management degree in 2019 at the age of 19 years old. However, his love affair with flowers and growing crops was born even before his college experience.
His Roots
Devon grew up spending his weekends and summers on his grandpa’s property which was home to the family business, Winterfeld Family Flowers, a greenhouse business located right on Soul Road in Swanton, OH for over 20 years starting in 1974. Devon learned the tricks of the trade from his grandpa and more modern techniques from working at several retail greenhouse businesses in the Toledo area. During high school, Devon moved in with grandma and grandpa on their property to start developing The Soul Patch. Throughout college, Devon drove home every weekend to work in his own greenhouse. Grandpa Winterfeld passed away in the fall of 2019 from heart disease, but was able to be involved in The Soul Patch’s first spring season. Although grandpa is no longer with us, Devon has carried on his legacy by continuing their shared passion of growing plants. Devon still lives with his grandma, and to this day she loves to come outside and help in the greenhouses.
On the property, Devon’s greenhouses are his workshop. He grows and sells his crop at multiple farmers’ markets year round in the Toledo area.
Devon has also expanded his business beyond farmers’ markets and become heavily involved within the community. He partners with In Bloom, a local florist shop in Maumee, Ohio, and supplies their plants for the Plant of the Month club. He plants window boxes and pots for store fronts such as Edward Jones in Wauseon, Ohio and Consign it! in Toledo, Ohio. Furthermore, he provides mums for the Fulton County Special Olympics Fall Fundraiser as well as poinsettias and live evergreen wreaths for their Holiday Fundraiser. Lastly, he arranges holiday centerpieces for Kingston Residence of Perrysburg, Ohio for families to purchase and gift their loved ones in the residence.
The Situation
In March 2021, after attempting to build a fourth hoop house to grow more flower crops, a zoning dispute with Swanton Township started and has since developed into a lawsuit. The property on Soul Road is zoned “Agriculture” and Swanton Township is under the impression that The Soul Patch is a commercial business, including the manufacturing and distributing of plants which is not permitted on Agricultural property.
However, The Soul Patch is an agriculture business operating on agriculturally zoned land, much like his grandpa’s business in 1974. According to Ohio state law, “Agriculture businesses in the state of Ohio are exempt from township zoning regulations and permits.”
The Soul Patch does not sell on the property or distribute large quantities of plants off the property. Devon simply loads and drives a Chevy pickup truck and trailer to farmers markets around town to sell his homegrown flowers.
No Rain, No Flowers
Devon is very familiar with the seasonal challenges that come along with working in the greenhouse industry. However, we’ve reached the point where we can no longer fight for our flowers without community involvement. The legal expenses are beginning to overwhelm our budget and we need your help! The money raised will be spent on our legal defense fees. We will use it to pay the lawyers fighting our case and court costs.
Thank You For Your Help
We would greatly appreciate any help whether that is giving a little green or sharing this post on social media to help us reach our goal! Every penny counts! Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Angie Mclaughlin
Beneficiary