Hi there,
This past week, I spent three days at an agricultural conference in Franklin, Tennessee. There is no way I can describe in this one minute everything that I experienced, that I took away, and that absolutely blew me away about farms, farmers, and farmers markets in the state of Tennessee.
But one overwhelming reality that I can share with you is this: to have a building where everybody has electricity and access to water, a building with ceiling heaters, a building with ceiling fans, a building with restrooms that include stalls and sinks for washing hands, water fountains, a restaurant, AC for dining and meetings, and parking so farmers and vendors can pull up to a bay and unload week-after-week-after week is something no one in Tennessee has the privilege of utilizing as a farmers market. All of the hundreds of markets represented spoke of sheds and farmers providing their own generators. They talked about having to rent porta-potties and walking a block to a community building for restrooms
–regardless of the weather. They shared how they have to use painter's tape to tape off bay areas inside of a church/school gym, only to take it up and empty the entire gym week after week. They have to haul, each week, their own freezers, refrigerators, and generators. The director of the class told us all just how difficult it is to get approved for a grant just to provide a shed.
But when I stood and shared what our shoppers and vendors have as a market year-round, jaws dropped to the floor. As I made my way through the conference sessions, farmers and market managers who had heard what I shared came up to me and had nothing but drooling remarks to say of just how fortunate we are.
And I agreed.
We are blessed. And now, as I come to this market for work, I see it for what it is
–a tremendous opportunity!
#thankful #blessed
Oh, and this handsome 25-year-old man that is with me in the photo above is my son Trace. We got to have some time together in between sessions just to talk, catch up, and do what he and I do most
–laugh together!!
So now...
This mama’s emotional tank is plum-full! Time with my oldest is everything to me, since he’s in college in Tennessee. But what meant the world was when we hugged to say goodbye, and he said to me,"I’m proud of you, Mom.”
Wait a minute!
That’s what I, as his mom, is to make sure he knows down to the marrow of his bones!
And now, he’s saying that to me? I’m just going to go ahead and say it ... when your adult son says those words to you with a smile and unwavering conviction, it motivates and melts your heart...all at the same time!
Growing in Gratitude,
Lisa