Meet Erica McRae

Hey Cousins, I'm Erica!

Erica Plants · Aunt E · America's Favorite Auntie

Agripreneur · Educator · Speaker · Advocate · Creative Entrepreneur

Depending on where we met, you may know me as Ms. Erica, Mrs. E, Erica Plants, Aunt Erica, or Aunt E. I'm the voice behind Gardening Under Influence, the founder of Plant & Heal Co., and an educator who believes knowledge ought to open doors.

I grew up in a military family, learning from people and cultures across different communities and countries. Before entering agriculture, I built experience in human resources, youth development, education, public speaking, advocacy, and service to families. My work with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension youth development helped shape a teaching style grounded in access, clarity, and practical results.

I Grow More Than Plants

Plant & Heal Co. is my Black woman-owned seed business and edible plant nursery, shipping to growers nationwide. My agricultural work reaches beyond the storefront into horticultural production, edible landscaping, food forestry, soil sampling, growing-space assessments, agricultural layout planning, and consultations that help people make productive use of what they have.

I'm also a co-founder of GrowFluencers, a community helping creators, growers, and entrepreneurs turn knowledge into opportunity. Together, GrowFluencers members have generated $4 million in collective business revenue. I teach business systems, content creation and monetization, artificial intelligence, and ways to build a stronger business without losing your voice or your judgment.

People, Systems & Responsible Progress

My background in community service and advocacy taught me to look beyond whether a program exists and ask whether people can actually access it. I believe in asking hard questions, connecting the problems, and helping build workable solutions.

That carries into how I teach agriculture and technology. I'm for innovation—including AI—when farmers remain informed decision-makers and the stewardship of land, water, soil, and natural resources stays central to the work.

My agricultural credentials and continuing work include Produce Safety Alliance grower training and its course certificate, participation in the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), and selection as a 2026 [Re]Generation Fellow.

Teaching, Speaking & Telling Our Stories

I've been invited to speak, teach, and lead conversations spanning food security, agriculture, entrepreneurship, technology, and community development. My work has been featured in Cuisine Noir and Demeter Earth. I also write Plant Something, Heal Something and create educational resources to make growing—and building a business—more approachable.

I don't separate agriculture from economics, technology from responsibility, or teaching from community. The work is connected, and so am I.

Grow with what you got.
Plant something. Heal something.

How my growing journey began · Speaking, education & consulting · About Plant & Heal Co.