Weekly News, 7.21.21

Hi Friends,

What lights you up? What do you love that makes your heart beat faster? Do you get enough of “it”? If not, why not?

For Russ and I, it’s our business. We love what we do. This month we’ve attended two industry events and have had the privilege of gathering with our colleagues from around the globe. First was the Cultivate ’21 show in Columbus, Ohio where we attended education sessions and scoured 8+ acres of trade show space for the best, new plants and products.

This week we are in Hartville, Ohio where we are gathered with other farmers from around the country for an agritourism learning event. These are tough, resilient people who have come up with creative ways to keep their farm going, even in the toughest of times. Selling tomatoes and sweet corn doesn’t always pay the bills, and these folks are creating experiences for their communities beyond selling produce that has helped to keep the farm land going.

I mention the above for two reasons– first, to let you know that we are dedicated to pursuing excellence in all we do. Second, to let you know that we love what we do. It makes our hearts beat faster. We pour all that we have into it, but it doesn’t feel like work because we love it. That’s when you know that you are in your sweet spot, and doing what you were created to be doing. And I wish you the same.

Here’s Russ, myself, and Erin- our Greenhouse Production Manager & Grower, at the show in Columbus. As plant nerds, we couldn’t walk past this orchid and air plant wall without stopping for a photo:

Here’s the scoop this week–

• our current produce availability includes cabbage, sweet corn, tomatoes, pickling cucumbers, cucumbers, potatoes, beets, beet greens, zucchini, blueberries, hot banana peppers, poblano peppers, shishito peppers, potatoes, green beans, fresh cut herbs, peaches, plums and nectarines.
• our new weekly produce bag program contents are listed below. It’s kind of like a CSA (community supported agriculture), but you can opt in week to week, and we will advertise exactly what you will be getting. Pickups will be every Saturday from 10am – 2pm. Text BednerBag to 833-308-2670 to sign up for a weekly text that will tell you the Bag contents for the week. Also, we’re giving away another three Bags next week, so check it out below.
• hanging baskets are now 25% off, if you need to replace something or want to add some fresh color. These aren’t spring leftovers, but fresh baskets that we planted just for summer.
• our Fields to Fork wine dinner on August 21 sold out, but we added one for August 28. Our guest restaurant is Scratch & Co.

That’s it for now, as we are still on the road for our farm tour, and time is a bit short. The quote below made me think of the good company of farmers that we are with this week. Whether gardeners or farmers… we endure; we rarely rest; and we are on a great adventure with plants and the land that we tend to.

“Then there are those that plant. They endure storms and they rarely rest. But, unlike a building, a garden never stops growing. And while it requires the gardener’s constant attention, it also allows life for the gardener to be a great adventure.” – Paulo Coelho

Enjoy the adventure,
Melanie