This week, Everything Co-op continues its observance of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 (IYWF 2026), with Lisa Derx, owner of Apricity Flowers, and one of the founders and the current president of the Chesapeake Flower Exchange. Vernon and Lisa will explore the origin and evolution of the exchange, as well as the impact it has had on its members.
Recognizing that many local growers were already informally relying on one another to meet customer demand, Derx brought her peers together to create a more structured collaboration. This effort led to the official formation of the Chesapeake Flower Exchange in January 2023, with its public launch following in April. Today, the Exchange operates as a Central Maryland–based cooperative of cut-flower farmers, supplying locally and sustainably grown flowers and foliage to florists and designers across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. What began as a small network of mutual support has evolved into a thriving enterprise connecting 10 farms, with delivery reach extending up to 50 miles from Central Maryland. Beyond its business model, the Exchange is rooted in a broader mission: supporting small farms, minimizing environmental impact, and providing fresher, higher-quality flowers than those typically imported from overseas.
A native of New York City’s Lower East Side, saki migrated to Jackson, Mississippi, where she became one of the founding members of Cooperation Jackson. She currently co-leads its Land and Housing Initiative, including the creation of the Fannie Lou Hamer Community Land Trust, and supports its Climate Justice and Just Transition work. Within Cooperation Jackson, she also leads the Communications team, guides strategic and financial planning for the development of worker-owned cooperatives, and advances cooperative development as a pathway toward community self-determination.