Erin has worked in many aspects of the food system from outreach for a local foundation to technical assistance for farmers growing in hoop houses. Erin's favorite thing is growing produce and herbs. A mother of 3 under 5 she's also busy growing people.

The Flint Ingredient Company began in 2012 with co-owners Erin Caudell and Franklin Pleasant using the front yard of their home to grow vegetables. After a season growing produce for a small CSA and selling at small neighborhood farmers markets, they decided to purchase nine acres of vacant land in the Beecher area and open The Local Grocer at the Flint Farmers Market. Their grocery store in downtown Flint, The Local Grocer celebrated its seven-year anniversary this past year.  Their cooperative CSA Weekly Greens is in partnership with Thread Creek Farm.  

Owner of MarySam's Gardens, long time urban farmer and garden educator LaBria Lane, joins Erin Caudell to produce Crooked Carrots, a podcast exploring the many facets of agriculture, while building community between women in agricultural careers.

MarySam's Gardens was started as a small farming project at the Women In Agriculture Farm Development Center in 2018. During the pandemic she began learning flower productions and has continued down that path as her prominent mode of operation.
Since her FoodCorps service term, LaBria has continued creating  garden education opportunities for kids and participated in garden education programs such as Dirt Therapy, pop ups for child care centers, and school activities with local organizations. 
Among the many hats she has worn, she is also a student preparing to graduate with a bachelors in Organic Horticultural science from Michigan State University in spring of 2024.