November 2021 feels so far from November 2019, the last Thanksgiving that I was able to spend with many in my family.
Luckily, last year was mild enough to enjoy the holiday on the screened-in porch of my sister's house, with a custom-made table that kept five of us at a distance of six feet from one another. This year, a dozen or so of us will be together; the number will more than triple for our Christmas get-together. Reflecting back on the changes that many of us have made in that time has been quite remarkable. The changes at work here at Valley View Farms to those at my home have been numerous. I've noticed my coworkers and our customers have evolved as well; here are some behaviors that are different.
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| Two years ago, our Hip Houseplant Revue event |
At the garden center, there are fewer of us than before. We're working harder, are more focused, and have been dwelling on the necessary day-to-day tasks of keeping items in stock, plants maintained, and assisting our customers. Gone (for now) are weekly seminars, big events, and planned assemblies. Instead, we've noticed a surge in gardening interest, people growing their own herbs, looking for projects that keep them together at home, and asking questions about what to try next.
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| Jen's raised bed for lettuce |
Building raised beds last spring, planting more vegetables and fruits, and generally connecting with nature have been the order of the day. Houseplant sales have topped all expectations as they have surged in popularity over the past couple of years. Pottery, patio furniture, and other accessories to outdoor living have been popular as well. Creating fish and bird habitats,
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| Families enjoying the koi pond |
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| Nick and Ava Marie immerse themselves in water gardening |
native plant gardening, growing more from seed, and finding ways to connect over social media have all become a part of our store's culture.
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| She is finding some fun new varieties of seed to try |
Oh, we are having supply chain issues; isn't everyone? Freight charges and inflation have crept in, despite trying to do as much locally as possible.
We're lucky. We live in an area where farm markets, fresh, local produce, and independent restaurants are side-by-side to chains and larger retailers. We're finding ways to buy food, plants, and supplies closer to home.
Our gardens are more productive, my friend's chickens are able to supply me with fresh eggs, and local farms have turkey orders to fill for next week.
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| Family ornament shopping |
Over the past months, local garden clubs are meeting in person again, families are gathering to do their traditional ornament buying and we're seeing old friends. That's great, but the changes that remain are good too. Being outside hiking trails, in the garden, or watching the sunset from a neighbor's farm fence, allow us to stay connected to nature, and a bit of our past, as we navigate the new normal.
Thank you to friends, family, coworkers, and customers who have been a part of this wonderful life.
