January 12, 2024
“At SGN Trees, we grow healthy trees, deep roots, and strong communities.”
That intention reflects the heart of our core here on the farm. As we move into a new growing season at the nursery – a new year on the calendar – a new season of winter – I’ve been reflecting on what that means for our SGN Team in this moment, January 2024.
Jamie is an avid reader. He is often reading two or three books at a time, and I aspire to read like that. As a result, I have lots of books stacked up looking fashionable on my bookshelf. For Christmas, Maggie gave Jamie a copy of “The Farm”, by Wendell Berry. Berry is one of Jamie’s favorite authors, and this 38 page long-form poem was written in 1995. The perfect length for my attention span! Berry writes about the daily, seasonal & yearly work needed to run a farm. He also talks about the need to conserve and respect Nature and to walk in the woods when you can. His words are really speaking to me this winter. This excerpt in particular stands out as a guiding Light for the upcoming season:
“The Farm” by Wendell Berry
And while you work your fields
Do not forget the woods.
The woods stand by the field
To measure it, and teach
Its keeper. Nature is
The best farmer, for she
Preserves the land, conserves
The rain; she deepens soil,
Wastes nothing; and she is
Diverse and orderly.
She is our mother, teacher
And final judge on earth.
The farm’s a human order
Opening among the trees,
Remembering the woods.
To farm, live like a tree
That does not grow beyond
The power of its place.
A tree stand in its place
And rises by the strength
Of local soil and light,
Aspiring to no height
That it has not attained.
More time, more light, more rain
Will make it grow again
Till it has realized
All that it can become,
And then it dies into
More life, deserving more
By not desiring more.
Our SGN Family started the New Year off together in Zion National Park. Along the trails of Zion, we took turns carrying kids on hikes and we all soaked in the spectacular views. What a perfect way to immerse our senses with fresh start for the year! We spent a few days of our trip strategic planning for the nursery – checking in on past goals and setting new ones. I am looking forward to becoming more of a student of Nature like Berry suggests in his poem as it pertains to how we grow our farm and our team in the New Year.
Below are a few pics from our adventure. We encountered some cool plants along the trails at Zion & Bryce National Parks! A few favorites were Utah Juniper, Pinyon Pine, Sagebrush, Bigtooth Maple, Gambel Oak, Fremont Cottonwood, Manzanita, Pricklypear Cactus, Ferns, and 1600 year old Bristlecone Pines!
In the field, our SGN Trees are enjoying a nice winter rest. Joey did an inventory re-check on several blocks so that we could dial in our spring dig numbers. Here is a link to our latest field availability:
Outside of the nursery, we are re-charging ourselves for the season at several Green Industry events. We love connecting with old friends and meeting new ones at winter trade shows and educational gatherings. First up, we are heading to InVigorateU in Bloomington, IL Jan 16-17, 2024. Stop by and visit the SGN Trees booth. We would love to talk about trees with you!
I will be moderating a panel on Plants Day, “Cultivating Native Plants: Understanding the Need for Improved Characteristics”. Joining me will be Todd Jacobson (Morton Arboretum), Shannon McEnerney (Midwest Groundcovers), Dennis Rohr (Hinsdale Nurseries), and Roger Purcell (Roger Purcell Hort Sales). Have you ever wondered why certain species are selected for research and adaptation to become a cultivar? When is it appropriate to select a cultivar for a space instead of a native? Join us for this discussion!
Plant, Learn, Grow, Thrive at #InVigorateU2024! Register Today! https://ilca.net/ilca-events/
Shortly after InVigorateU, we will be heading to the iLandscape Show Jan 31-Feb 2 in Schaumburg, IL. Stop by our booth #1501 and Let the Good Times Roll!
In the SGN Trees office, we are updating inventory and getting ready for spring planting and harvesting. We are finalizing plans for what we will plant this upcoming spring. At the same time, we are making our final harvest decisions based on sales and production projections. We have already started to do some spring tagging. By the time spring rolls around, we will be READY! The winter pace in the office does allow for more breaks.
Winter is a perfect time to visit the nursery. If you would like to visit us or our trees, please reach out. And if you are at any of these fun winter events, be sure to stop by and say Hello!
– Becky Thomas
Happy New Year from Bryce & Zion National Parks!
Loved reading this Becky.