Panic Mode

It is Thursday, dear reader, and the day after tomorrow is the first of our now monthly farm markets, right here on my farm. I must admit, I am in panic mode. I think with everything that has been thrown our way, and I know from talking with many that I am not the only one to feel this way, I am in a constant state of upheaval, minor panic attacks, and anxiety. I want to ensure I don't let my vendor friends down, waste their time, or fall short in helping them succeed. Although the new market in Hannahstown has beautiful potential to be a great success, it is not our normal home market. Saturday should have been a record-breaker for opening day, and it was a fraction of where we would have been if our home market had not been destroyed by insanity. (Yes, I might be a little bitter. Please give me some time and grace to grieve what I've lost.) 

If I'm being transparent, I am afraid for the year. I'm afraid for my friends. I'm afraid that I can't make a monthly market on my farm work. I'm afraid I'll fail. I'm doing my best, but we all know that sometimes one's best isn't enough. Sigh. But, enough of that. Let's focus on the positives, and there are many. First, there is the weather. Saturday's weather is perfect for a market day. For outdoor events, weather is always the greatest contender. Secondly, we have a lovely lineup of talented people. I will list them at the end of the blog. The lineup includes amazing food, fresh produce, farm-fresh products, and talented artisans. Thirdly, we are getting together again! That is a positive. I am so looking forward to seeing my vendor friends and my soap family. If the year were as it should be, we would be on week three of our market season. Sigh. I miss my friends.

Allow me to share my vision for this market with you, dear reader. First, I want to make it a unique experience. I feel it's unique in the sense that it is on our farm. The setting alone is an experience. However, I want to do things that interest you, share the talents of my vendor friends, and really highlight what each of us small-business owners puts into making our businesses unique and special. Sometimes I feel the specialness is lost when you don't get to see or talk to the people who make the amazing products. To give you the chance to see firsthand the magic of the creative process, I am inviting my friends to give demonstrations. This month, my brave and talented friend Patrick of Broken Locust will be demonstrating recipes using their fresh, handmade spice blends. Patrick is a wonderful public speaker and an all-around great guy. You won't be disappointed. I encourage you to take the time to talk with each vendor, find out what motivates them, and listen to their advice. Seriously, there is an endless well of insight, talent, and creativity at hand.

My goal is to keep our market small, curated, top-notch, and only of the highest quality. From experience, I have seen how a market can become oversaturated with one type of vendor. There are a lot of soap vendors out there, for sure. However, I feel shoppers want variety, quality, unique, curated, and special products that can't be found in big-box stores. If you are here, reading this page, you are my people. I get you. I get that this won't be for everyone, and that is okay. I get that budgets are tight, gas prices are high, and people are feeling the financial squeeze. So please know that your support is not unappreciated. We understand the sacrifice, and we are so grateful you are here. I will do my absolute best to make this worth your while.

I also want to share the beauty of our farm and our goats with you. The Bibbed Wonder and The Bean have worked tirelessly this week to create a goat playground near the fence by the parking area. It is a work in progress, and I fully anticipate that this thing is going to get out of control between the three of us. However, I always feel bad that so many of you want to see the girls up close, but we are sticklers about biosecurity. Thanks to Kristine for the idea for a goat playground. We will be placing seating near the playground, and perhaps one day, we will find a treat that won't cause bloat or digestive upset, and you can give the girls some treats. Just know that with my over-the-top fear of germs and safety for my herd, there will be hand sanitizer involved, lots and lots of hand sanitizer...what am I talking about, there will be a hand washing station. Hand sanitizer, ridiculous!

I need to confirm with our insurance company, but I'd like to open my walking trail around the field for you to enjoy the scenery I enjoy every day. It's peaceful, and where I get some of my best ideas while walking and praying. Regretfully, this won't be available this month. It's a goal, but this all came together rather quickly. As the months go by, we will build, add, and improve. Please be patient.

There will be some inconsistencies with vendor attendance this year. Because of the market situation, many of my friends are still figuring out what they will do, which direction to take, and what is their best option for success. Sadly, our little market family is fractured across three markets, excluding ours. Perhaps next year, if we can keep this going, we will have a home here once a month. I would like that. A haven, so to speak (insert a wink).

As the months pass, we continue to plan our sunflower maze. September will find the farm in a blaze of yellow glory. Eight acres of sunflowers with flowing paths, winding trails, and hidden gems will be planted for your enjoyment. There isn't anything quite so happy as a sunflower. To wander meandering paths, discover secret rooms filled with beauty and surprises, and perhaps learn a little bit about the wonders of nature fills me with excitement and joy. I am very hopeful that you will find it as exciting and enjoyable as I. Of course, there will be a sunflower festival and sunflower-themed products. I've discovered a beautiful oil blend that I am excited to share. I'm bracing my twitchy little bib overall-wearing buddy for sunflower-themed collections, hand soap, and perhaps a few other surprises as well. These are all good things.

Looking ahead to October, we are planning a corn maze.  The Bean wants to go the haunted route in the evening hours. I am thinking something similar to the sunflower maze, with secret rooms and hidden little fall-themed treasures. This is all in the planning stages, and one naysaying, easily overwhelmed bib-overall-wearing realist needs to be convinced that we can make this happen and do it well. We shall see. Our final monthly market will fall directly on Halloween, my favorite holiday! I am in the planning stages of a Halloween-themed extravaganza. I'm thinking trick-or-treating, games, the corn maze, and, of course, Halloween-themed products. Judy Hartman, I'm giving you a shoutout. You're my Halloween girl! Throw me some inspiration!

So, despite my panic, worry, and fear, a lot of good things are happening. Change is difficult, even painful. I miss my market family. I hate to see us dispersed in different directions. I have spent a lot of time with some wonderful people in the last ten years. Almost everyone unfortunate enough to be our neighbor at the LCM became a friend or a member of our family. I miss seeing those friendly, familiar, well-loved faces. I hope I can create an event that is worthwhile for them to attend. I hope I can create an event that you find worthwhile to attend. I ask for grace as we try to grow, pivot, and think on our feet. It is indeed a year of change, dear reader.

Our list of vendor friends who will be joining us this Saturday, May 30th, from 10-2 is:

-Ageless Iron

-Amanda Jo's Flowers to Go

-Aunt Julia's Donuts (Pending)

-Black River Arts

-Broken Locust

-Color to Dye For

-Gone N Dunnett Woodworking

-Kenna's Corner

-Little Garden Kitchen

-Lone Oak Farms

-Missy LaLa's Biscotti

-Mrs. Nut Roll

-Oak Haven Mushrooms

-Penns Manor FFA Greenhouse

-People's Farm Fresh Produce

-Sparkle by Scintillare

-Star Crossed Naturals

-The Smiling Goat Soap Company

-Stoke Hole Pottery (Pending)

-Vnlla Cncpt

 

On this lovely Thursday, before our very first monthly farm market, stay safe, be smart, come out to see us on Saturday from 10-2, bring a smile and an appetite, forgive me if I appear a bit frazzled, and keep washing your hands.

For more information on the vendors.

https://www.thesmilingoatsoapcompany.com/pages/farm-events