Today we’d like to introduce you to Trish Lazarin.
Hi Trish, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2023, I began growing microgreens for personal use after reading about their health benefits—and quickly fell in love with them. Microgreens are vegetable or herb plants that are harvested at a stage after sprout but before adult plant. They are vibrant, nutrient-dense, super-flavorful plants that enhance any dish and supercharge any diet. I started sharing extras with friends and neighbors, then selling small batches. While homeschooling my youngest son (class of 2025), I knew I’d soon re-enter the workforce but had no desire to return to corporate life after 18+ years. I wanted to build something I truly enjoyed, rooted in my lifelong love of gardening and connecting with nature. That passion led naturally to plants, and today I’m a microgreens farmer.
We had named our homeschool Mosaic Independent Academy (MIA), and Mosaic Farms felt like the perfect extension—an apt image of trays bursting with colorful crops that come together to form a bigger picture. I farm vertically and organically in a controlled environment, using no pesticides or toxic chemicals. Mosaic Farms took off after my son’s June 2025 graduation, allowing me to focus on the business. Before then I’d set up a booth at a few markets to share with the public and developed a small, loyal retail clientele I deliver to weekly. With my family and clients encouraging me along the way, I stepped out of my comfort zone to approach restaurants in Charleston and Summerville—a steep learning curve after years of parenting, teaching and corporate sales efforts—but it paid off. Starting a business in my mid fifties wasn’t something I expected, yet now I can’t imagine life any other way. The operation has already outgrown our bonus room in a little over 6 months, and we’re planning an outbuilding to expand the farm in 2026. Mosaic Farms has a lot of opportunities ahead!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No road is perfectly smooth. On the farm, challenges range from diagnosing crop failures—soil, temperature, nutrients, water, humidity— learning each crop’s needs, choosing what to grow for the market all while minimizing waste. We prioritize reducing waste to help keep prices competitive with an eye on sustainability. We’re always researching new crops, efficiencies and methods. I’m grateful for fellow microgreen farmer friends in my network across the country who support and share ideas and best practices. We all agree that true farm-to-table practices improve a lot of things in society, versus big distributor operations.
On a personal level, balancing home life with a home-grown business is difficult. Managing time and setting boundaries for sanity and balance remains an ongoing challenge.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I think I shared some of this in earlier answers. I guess I could discuss what differentiates our products. We see our operation as a premium microgreen provider with competitive pricing. Our crops have excellent color, flavor and longevity, due to our growing, harvesting and delivery practices. Clients receive their order within 24-48 hours of harvest, giving them high value and a fantastic shelf life. Our chef clients are very pleased too, even referring other chefs to us. We cannot pay for that kind of advertising! Nothing speaks louder in our business than a product that speaks for itself. As for our retail clients, we are super proud and excited to hear about their health improving as they become regular microgreen consumers.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
It all sounds so cliche but — Be honest, humble and keep going. The harder you work, the luckier you get! Remember that especially when mundane tasks and bumps in the road have you down. But maybe most importantly, do not listen to those that don’t believe in you, that think your dream business is “just a hobby…” Success is the best revenge!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mosaicfarmssc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mosaicfarmsllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mosaic.farms.sc/
