by Stephanie Staples | photos by Kathryn Alvarez Photography –
It’s not every day I get pooped on by a goat, but it was worth it because I got to meet someone who makes the world a better place! I met Angela Miranda, who hosted us on the Flavour Trails tour at Island Lavender (formal known as Victoria Lavender). Her contagious smile, vivacious personality and impossible-to-hide joie de vivre makes you want to lean in a little closer and learn more.
From her Chilean heritage in the dictatorship days, to going to university as a mature student with three kids, to bringing to life a dream that she and her husband (Damian Kruz) had imagined for years, Angela’s hard working, heart-centred approach to life makes her a bright light on the Peninsula.
You’ve been through many personal struggles; how has that affected how you go through life and relate to people?
Losing my hearing has been a lifelong process. It first started developing at age 10 and continued until I was considered as having profound hearing loss around age 33. Because it was such a long and ongoing process, I think it gave me time to grieve the loss in intervals, having had lots of time to process it.The funny thing is, now I call it a blessing in disguise. I may have missed significant pieces of information in communication but I have a strong feeling I missed lots of negative or cruel comments as well, so the outcome has been that I believe people are good, kind, and everyone has something to bring to the table. Most importantly, never assume: it’s best to ask what someone means first.
You said that you and Damian went through a “mid-life crisis” at the same time; luckily your dream for change was also the same. Serendipity, fate or something happened to cause you to you stop halfway through your Masters program and go all in at the Island Lavender farm. Tell us about your dream and how it came to fruition.
We did but for different reasons! Damian has done many challenging, creative business ventures. I longed for a lifestyle change that balanced physical activity and production. When Damian met Alan (founder of Victoria Lavender) seven years ago, Alan shared that he planned to one day retire and would need to sell the farm. It was the first time both Damian and I had the same dream. Fast forward to January 2021 – Damian and I were looking at properties on the Gulf Islands and I mentioned I still dreamed of the lavender farm. The next morning Alan posted that he was ready to retire. It took a year to come up with an agreement, even to the point where we thought it was best to bow out. But Alan returned to us two months later and said we can still figure out a way to make this work. We now operate the farm and lavender production with a three-year purchase option.
You taught me a new word – Mapuche: People of the earth. What does that mean to you?
Working on the farm has made me think about my history. We have four generations working here because although my grandmother is not alive, I feel her presence whenever I am working on the farm. Working on the land has encouraged me to reclaim a part of myself, a core deepset identity of where I come from and who I am. I feel her in my spirit, I feel her as a presence, and working on this land has pushed me to think about all the knowledge and care she possessed for plants, the earth and human health. When my mother (who I call the lavender doctor) looks over at me and jokingly says “Señora Juana” (her mom’s name) as I lug a wheelbarrow with soil, there is no greater compliment that can fill my soul. If we take care of the earth, it can continue to take care of us.
During harvesting season, Ukrainian refugees came to your aide creating a win-win. What was that like?
We were so fortunate and honoured to have them help us! They all brought their vibrant energy and exceptional work ethics which helped the task of harvesting completely in only three days! I like to say they saved the lavender.
When it was time to bundle the lavender, conversations came easily even though they just met. Working alongside each other at a long community table, bundling and hanging the lavender to dry, I watched as tears appeared in a few eyes. There were moments of quietness and a heaviness in the air that I cannot explain. Our time together has left lasting impacts on myself and the family as my husband is Ukrainian as well. Again, we continue to feel truly honoured cherishing our shared time together.
What brings me joy now is that I’ve heard some of these lovely people have become close friends and continue to be in each other’s lives after the work was completed. Some magic happened there.
One belt away from being a black belt, you seem to have mastered the art of getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. Can you share some tips, encouragement or advice for others to do the same?
I am going to steal the words my husband offered me when I returned to school as a mature student: “stay focused on your goal and ride the waves.” It helped me so much that it unintentionally became my mantra until the unknown became known.
What should we be watching for next with Angela Miranda?
I hope to learn some new skills (flower print dying on fabric, lavender wands and wreath making, soap making) to share and offer workshops at the farm for people of different ages and exceptionalities.
And our vision and wish is to continue building community and respectfully honour the traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ people.
You can follow Angela and Damian’s lavender journey on Instagram @figuring_out_the_farm.
