Well, hello once again, and we’re glad ya’ll stopped back in to visit! We hope all are finer than frog’s hair this mornin, and that life is good in regards to you and yours!
You know, in today’s world, too often Deb and I see young men and women without a work ethic, at least the type we were brought up with. We, like so many of you guys, worked from a young age. No, our parents didn’t “kill us” demanding so much to be done, but simply “ENCOURAGED” us be part of.
They were teaching us that to grow and expand our knowledge you had to WORK at it. They taught us that in our Country, the United States of America, you had opportunities, and through these opportunities it provided for us we could be literally, whatever you wanted to be.
Hard work, not taking no for an answer, believing in yourself, your word being your bond, right down to a word I consider maybe the most important…RESPECT. Respect for you, and others. All these traits ending up allowing you, through your own convictions, that you CAN be the best you can be!
I’m not knocking the “younger generation,” because all these traits start…at home. Sadly today, this is not the case in far too many households. Why? Well, without getting too long winded…the parents.
We have in our Country today parents AND grandparents, who have not worked in…generations. Gimme, gimme, gimme. All products of a political system designed, advocated, and being used by our elected officials to take from the haves, and give to the have-nots.
By so doing, our Country, along with all the freedoms, liberties, and opportunities provided for, “We the People,” are becoming a “thing of the past.” By the parents advocating such behavior by our officials, they’re destroying any and all hope of the children reaping the rewards our Founding Fathers laid out for us. And yes, it IS that simple.
Our children today are receiving a double dose…through little or NO parental guidance, AND our educational system. On top of this our government is shouting loud and clear, “WE’LL take care of you!”
Yet, with all this taking place here in our Country, there are still shining examples of the other side of the spectrum, and with this being the case, Deb and I would like to share with you all, one such example.
An example of following your dreams, the importance of the family unit, believing in yourself, and an example of living in a great Country and the benefits and opportunities this provides.
Today, we’d like to share with ya’ll a story, though we only know a part of their story, of two young people, the goodness in their hearts, and the lives they created for themselves and their family. A true, shining example of…living, the American dream!
Jere and Emilee Gettle are co-founders of the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. The actual reasoning behind this I believe to have been a goal of Jere’s, with the idea that if someone didn’t “make a stand,” we would lose forever the vegetable varieties that had been a part of so many people’s lives for hundreds, even thousands of years. This being the heritage plant, or heirloom plants and seeds.
Today, the BIG Ag companies are interested in producing genetically altered plants. Bigger plants, bigger vegetables, more production, quicker growing off, and even insect resistant, with no thought of the old heirloom variety. So production, production, production has become the norm, and this is all about…money, money, money.
With no comparison intended, kinda, take a look at the chickens in the marketplace today. Deb and I can hardly believe how large they’ve become?? To find a smaller bird for the ole Sunday meal, is becoming a thing of the past. How, and why, is this?? Genetically altered growth through steroids or other ways??
Anyway…
Jere, and later his wife Emilee believed so strongly that THEY could make a difference in this, and this is how the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company would come to, “earn its worth,” and become what it is today.
Remember the phrases, believing in yourself, not taking NO for an answer, living your dream, and WORK ETHIC? How bout them apples? It IS true, isn’t it?
Deb and I had heard of The Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company before, but kinda, in passing. In all honesty I can’t really envision someone who loves to garden…NOT hearing off them at least! Ole Cuz, who catered the food for Deb’s party, was one. He kept telling us of the vegetable varieties that he got, and grew from them.
Also, some of our YouTube buddies talked highly of them as well. So, a couple weeks back, Deb and I picked up a copy of their book, “The Heirloom Life Gardener…The Baker Creek Way of Growing Your Own Food Easily and Naturally.” I gotta tell you guys today…we were VERY impressed, and inspired by these two, AND their story!
In this book, Jere and Emilee share with you their love of gardening, their love of the land, and quite obviously the love they have for their beautiful daughter, Sasha!
Looking through the book you’ll see several pictures of “little” Sasha holding and showing you different types of vegetables. So obviously they’re showing and teaching their daughter the passion, concern, and care involved in their lifestyle. Once more…family unit and work ethic.
They share with us their knowledge as well, and they teach you tips on how to plant, grow, harvest, and save your own seeds. So if possible, buy this book for yourself…you’ll not regret your purchase.
Quickly, Jere was often taken to the family garden as an infant, and set in his bassinet beside the garden while his parents harvested or hoed, their garden. He was only three, when he sowed his first seeds, Scallop squash, and Pear tomatoes.
At 17, Jere had started his own seed business in his bedroom at his parent’s house. It grew to the point he claims that there were seeds and such scattered throughout their home, so, his first store was born…out of scrap lumber and tin for the roof his Dad and one of their Amish neighbors had salvaged.
Jere wanted the store to “feel historic,” and his store was built with a false front, and a wraparound porch. You see, opportunity came knocking through Jere’s love for what he was doing, and the work ethic instilled in him by his parents. Once more, believing in yourself, and taking advantage of the opportunity our Country, through our capitalistic economy, provides for us!
The thing that most struck us about Jere’s endeavor of building his store was this…for YEARS they kept the keys to the store hanging over the front door. People had 24 hour access to his building, and his products, even when the store was closed!
His reasoning, was simple…if one of their friends or neighbors REALLY NEEDED some seeds, shoot, they just went down, unlocked the door, let themselves in, and got what they needed! Then in a day or two, they’d drop back by with a few dollars, or some of their own fresh produce!
Jere says also that it was not uncommon in the least to find folks in the store after hours, which was fine with him, because, after all, they were always, friends and fellow… “seed addicts!” But the impression all this left Deb and I with was…the goodness in these two young people’s hearts! You don’t know how much we wish that there were more…just like em!
Jere was born in 1980, and today he and Emilee have grown the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company into an enterprise that now employs over 50 full-time people, and includes a vegan restaurant, his store, and pioneer village, all in his hometown of Mansfield, Missouri. They also have two other retail operations, one in Petaluma, California, and the other in Wethersfield, Connecticut.
Emilee too, was born and reared around gardening, and was two when this lifestyle was introduced to her, by her parents and grandparents. She enjoys preserving the bounty their gardens provide, and works hand in hand with her husband, (HEAR THAT DEB), on the heirloom farm where they live with Sasha.
On one of the opening pages of their book, we found the following quote, and to Deb and I, this is what endeared us to this young couple…
To all who plant the soil:
Past, present, and future.
To our parents and grandparents
Who taught us to love the land.
And to our daughter, Sasha,
Who teaches us the greatness
In small things.
Again, you guys that don’t have this book…buy it! What a story that exemplifies the traits that we all were brought up to come and love, but sadly are considered LAUGHABLE by so many today! God Bless these young people, and may he bestow only happiness in their lives.
Google up, The Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. You’ll be amazed at how, and what, this family has worked, persevered, organized, and brought to the table for us, so that we all may come to love and grow the things that are so dear to them!
Deb and I just purchased some seeds from them, and are so looking forward to their arrival. These will be some of the first seeds used in our new greenhouse, and we can’t wait to try them out! In one of our following posts we’ll share what we decided upon, and keep you guys updated in their performance!
God Bless you all, God Bless the United States of America, and God Bless our youth…who are tomorrow’s leaders!
As always, my friend, partner, and love, ole Deb, says for you guys to keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!
Dub and Deb