The small Vermont town of Hardwick is banking its future on growing and cultivating food products sustainably, according to a New York Times article. Until recently, Hardwick had followed the path of many small communities that aren’t satellites to large cities. The main employers, granite companies, shut down years ago, then the bars and X-rated theaters that sprung up in its wake faded away.
Today, Hardwick’s citizens collaborate to help each other start up companies based on local farming, and it’s working. So far, about 100 jobs have been created.
A soy company that uses beans from local farms has grown from five clients to 350. Another company that ages cheese handles not only its own products, but ages cheese for other enterprises as well. Add to these two companies other small, local-based enterprises for organic seeds, support-equipment suppliers, and you have a mini-economy that’s flourishing.
The leaders in the effort have formed a non-profit enterprise to encourage other agriculture businesses in the area and expect to help 15 to 20 entrepreneurs next year.
With our economy as shaky as it is, Hardwick strikes me as a town that is embracing a more secure, old-fashioned, supply-and-demand economic foundation. And it sounds like one that many garden retailers can help create in their own communities.
I’ve come across such a venture before. Former Garden Center Magazine Innovator winner Bayview Farm & Gardens on Whidbey Island in Washington’s Puget Sound (that's a photo of owner Maureen Rowley under the store's arbor above) is part of a symbiotic gathering of businesses. Sited on a triangular piece of land called Bayview Corner, Bayview and its neighboring businesses, which include a small specialty grocery, an art gallery and a restaurant, collaborate on several levels. They host a regular farmers’ market, they hold coordinated events, and share parking and bathroom facilities. Beyond the business goals, the stores also encourage community life and gathering. A richer community life, the business owners feel, leads to more success in business.
Are there businesses near you that could form a Hardwick-like initiative to support the local economy? Garden centers already buy many supplies from local businesses, and are well positioned to lead this type of effort. How can you and fellow businesses reach beyond what you are already doing that will boost your local economy?
-- Carol
Some enterprizing entrepreneur could begin supplying home made compost to community gardens.
Experts like us could hire ourselves out to consult on community gardens, "green" gardens in the public sqaures, home grown food etc.
We can grow fesh herbs all year long and supply to local restaurants.
Hold classes and lectures on home vegetable gardening,
Run a for profit community garden where a land owner "rents" space to gardeners in exchange for perfect soil conditions, use of tools etc.
Dry herbs and package for sale.
Become the dominanant marketer of farm markets making a vast empire of them where they are run as a business and marketed properly. They run "professional craft fair circuits wher e both the vendor and the public are charged to take part.
I resist to use the term "Garden Coach" I think the name is rediculous and demeaning to professional gardeners/horticulturists.
Leave coaching (other than sports) to the leeches who use the shortcomings and inferiorities of others to capitalize and make money off others insecurites.
I don't think anyone who plants a tree needs a coach to encourage them. Gardeners want to learn they do not affirmation from socialist money grubbers.
I mean can you imagine being asked by a "garden coach" how did planting that tree make you feel? Angry? OK Get the axe.
Greg Draiss
Guru of the Middle Class Garden
Posted by: greg draiss | October 16, 2008 at 12:26 PM