Making a Beginning

For more than 8 years, I have been incredibly fortunate to work for Lexington Habitat for Humanity. It's been an organization that I could identify with, be proud of, and where I've had many opportunities to grow.

This year, Eliza and I were able to make a change we'd dreamed of for years. The mission of Habitat for Humanity is to build homes, communities and hope. I enjoyed being a part of every one of those things. But being a part of that work, however wonderful, wasn't satisfying every part of me. I needed a different pace, a different environment, and new challenges.

And so, we find ourselves beginning a new farm. I have so many hopes for this place, for this venture, and for the ways that I can connect to our community. I can't wait to bring fresh cut flowers to local farmers markets for the first time. Folks in our communities will get to know me, and my children will get to know what it's like connecting with neighbors week after week. They'll get to see what else grows in our community, and the ways that local farmers are feeding Lexington body and soul.

There will be tough lessons this year. I am confident I'll make SO MANY mistakes. But what we bring to you, neighbors and customers, will be flowers we can be proud of. And as the year progresses, I look forward to introducing new friends to new plants. As Eliza and I have added native plants to our garden, the birds and wildlife have found us. Seeing migrant songbirds in this space that we care for brings us such joy each spring. And our greatest hope, as we make this beginning, is that we can help others find a comparable joy in the flowers that we make available to them.