Green thumbs, big hearts
So you need flowers for an upcoming wedding, corporate shindig or even just to brighten your home? At Posy Ferme Florale, both dahlias and opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities are in full bloom. As an urban cut flower and green care farm, it has made its mark as a social enterprise, hiring individuals with intellectual disabilities. They are this edition’s recipient of the Inspirations Entrepreneurial Award.
“Gardening has always been a big part of me,” said its founder, Lucie Wade. “When I saw [the opportunity] to make a meaning-ful difference in the community, it was the little bit of magic I had been looking for.” Growing up with a brother with an intellectual disability, Wade is sensitive to the difficulties many have in finding post-secondary employment.
“And I vowed to be a part of the solution,” she said.
In the spring of 2025, Wade rented 260 square feet of space from NGO Grand Potager, which, in turn, rents the green houses from the city of Verdun. She joined a small community of other small businesses and citizen projects already there.
What makes Posy Ferme Florale unique is its green care farming model, where agricultural settings are designed to help marginalized people develop skills and vocational training through hands-on participation. In keeping with the theme, the current name of its green care farming program is Fleurish.
Wade’s brother Harris is a co-farmer at Posy and the inspiration behind the project. “It was really important to me that he saw it as something we did together.”
The name Posy is in honor of their Dutch grandmother Paula, who figured prominently in their lives. As the younger sister of a sibling who required extra support, Wade remembers experiencing a mix of emotions ranging from fierce protection and resentment, to guilt and pride. Whenever she would feel overwhelmed, her grandmother would invite her to “come take a walk in the garden with me, you can make a little posy for the table.” The term also has a whimsical quality, exactly the feeling Wade was aiming for.
As a health practitioner, she added that an additional motivation was to offer a local alternative to importing flowers from abroad, helping to reduce exposure to chemicals and lessen the environmental footprint.
Once the space was rented, she set about recruiting her team. Through contacting the supported employment program at Agence Ometz, Wade was matched with Ellis Nassef-Goldsmith and Jessica Rawding. Both had been struggling to find a job.
“Opportunities are few and the clientele in need keeps increasing,” shared Jason Goldsmith, Ellis’ father and award nominator.
“Posy Ferme Florale is a model of inclusive entrepreneurship that strengthens our community,” Goldsmith wrote in his nomination letter.
With almost a year experience running the cut flower farm, Wade aims to grow her list of corporate contracts and investors in order to expand the business and employ others with an intellectual disability.
She noted there are endless benefits to working outside. These include improved physical health, enhanced psychological well-being, and an increased sense of belonging.
“It really is a passion project,” she said.
Rawding’s sister Kayla has witnessed the meaningful gains firsthand. “Working at Posy has given my sister [Jessica] something truly special a sense of purpose that continues to bloom brighter and grander every day.” She added, “The farm has not only given her meaningful work – but also a place where she can shine.”
Guided tours and workshops are available upon request, and Posy will be selling bouquet subscriptions in June.
Info: posyfermeflorale.com/fleurish-program
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We are grateful for the support of Leyad, whose contribution helps advance our employment and entrepreneurship initiatives and inclusive employment. We thank them for their generous gift to this edition’s Inspirations Entrepreneurial Award winner, Posy Ferme Florale.
