Today marks the one year anniversary of the flood. Farms across the northeast unexpectedly lost their fields barely ripe with produce. Looking back, I see the destruction at Sweet Birch Herbals as a form of rebirth. July 10, 2024 was a cleansing opportunity to revision the big picture.
My apothecary flooded for days as water seeped into the foundation while my team vacuumed continuously for hours on end. My husband drilled two holes in the foundation for sump pumps. Groundwater, concrete, sludge, gasoline fumes inside - it was not a pretty scene compared to the usual vibes here. The insurance company said, sorry, we don't insure groundwater damage.
Thankfully we had the resource and skills to solve the problem and rebuild the space into an even more beautiful, functional environment.
As I sit inside the newly renovated space, I actually thank the flood, waters of the sky and earth, for giving me a giant nudge. I've always made the space work fine, but desired more shelving, cabinets, sink, fridge, counters and storage for all the herbs. I'd been saying for years, I need a classroom space to teach. Here it is. Wiped clean like a new palette to lay down the vision of creative flow.
Water is flow, water is life, water is destructive, water is powerful, water is cleansing.
The element of water is inside all of us. As much as humans try to control water with dams, canals, dikes, and reservoirs, water will always be more powerful. Water is a great teacher. How humbling is that?
Thank you, water for cleansing of my work space so that I can truly have what I have dreamed of for years.
Thank you to the many hands who assisted me in cleaning up the mess, rebuilding and revisioning the new apothecary classroom.
Thank you to the students who show up for class and see all the work we put into the space for them to gather and learn about the plants.
Thank you to the wood, the paint, the glue, tools and electricity that supports the many bottles and jars holding herbal projects.
Every challenge creates opportunity. There is a choice to give up and walk away or surrender to the mystery of "why is the happening for me?"
I chose to lean into the challenge and see it as growth, expansion, stepping into what truly is needed here at Sweet Birch Herbals.
This year I continue to vision big. I received a grant to rebuild the farm store and put up a 21x48' high tunnel to grow herbs like lavender and passionflower. I am shifting to run the entire business on solar energy by 2025. My husband is helping with all of these projects and I am deeply grateful for him. Not sure what I would do without him. We make a great team as someone put it: I do the biology and he does the technology.
Speaking of biology! The herb farm is looking so incredible this year, come check it out. The plants are so happy and never looked so good thanks to my farm assistant, Rachel.
Take a class or request a farm tour. Today I am hosting the Smith College Chemistry class here for a workshop about essential oils. You can even bring a group here for a private class to learn about a topic you are interested in - I will gladly welcome you to this little slice of paradise.
That's the update on July 10, 2024. Fingers crossed no flooding this year and the nudges from the universe will be a little less chaotic going forward. But, we will never know what's coming with the changing climate and weather patterns.
Surrendering with gratitude,
Hannah
Comments