By Ethan Kispert
Are you looking for a new way to purchase fresh, organic produce? North Scottsdale couple and owners Christian Avery and Anthony Dynar have launched Mane Cultivation, an eco-friendly, community minded small business. Their goal behind starting Mane Cultivation is to create a nursery that’s based around the idea of community supported agriculture (CSA).
What’s the difference between supporting a CSA and just going to a local supermarket? Rather than just going to a market and having everything out in front of you to pick from, a CSA gives you the chance to connect with the people behind the food you eat, Avery explains.
The duo has structured Mane Cultivation off of engaging with customers directly and they grow the produce themselves. Their company is based off of the idea that customers will be able to choose from items that are familiar to them, while also being able to choose from unfamiliar produce as well.
“Our inventory base has products you wouldn’t find at other nurseries,” Avery says. “We specialize in finding the rare to cultivate.”
To start, their plan is to offer slots for customers to choose from and each is priced at $50 per month. Once registered, customers will then be treated to various fruits, vegetables and ornamentals every two weeks. The couple’s long-term goal is to grow their nursery business enough so that they can expand into other areas, such as with hair products.
“We hope to one day, through plant fiber and animals we raise, supply local and organic extensions and wigs,” Dynar, who is also a hairstylist in addition to his role at the nursery, explains.
Connecting with the local community while also helping get people the fresh food they depend on is something that both of them cherish.
“We both hold dearly the idea of freedom of education and the ability to be self-sustaining, which is the intention for our website,” Avery says. “We hope it can be used as not only a business website but as an educational resource.”
One unique trick they have up their sleeve to help promote sustainability comes from Dyner’s career as a hair stylist. The hair that’s left over ends up getting used in compost for their plants. This helps contribute to their company goal of being as sustainable as possible.
“We began slowly developing a business strategy through 2020 revolving around as much organic material as possible; this way our waste is at the most minimum output,” Dynar explains.
To learn more, visit manecultivation.com. You can also follow along by searching for “Mane Cultivation” on Facebook.
