Rest and Restoration
It is the final day of 2025, and I am watching giant snowflakes drift down from a slate-gray sky. Outside, there are no signs of life—no deer creeping through the brush, no cardinals at the feeder. In this stillness, the idea of hibernation feels like a luxury.
Our season officially wrapped the week of December 14th as we tucked our hydroponic tulips away to begin the rooting process—though, in truth, the work continued through the final holiday deliveries on Christmas Eve. Since then, I’ve been swept up in the whirlwind of family, friends, and the joy of memory-making. With only one celebration remaining, a true calm is about to settle in—at least for a moment. Flower farming has become a year-round commitment, a reality that is both demanding and deeply rewarding. Whenever I feel the weight of the schedule, I remind myself that I chose this journey; it is a privilege to grow, nurture, and create.
January will be a month for reflection and taking stock. This past year, the business grew more than ever before—production, customer reach, and revenue were all at record highs. My team connected in a way that felt truly magical, and despite a waterlogged spring followed by a scorching summer, the fields were prolific. While the dahlias struggled in the heat, the zinnias and sunflowers flourished. Our heirloom chrysanthemums became a customer favorite as I introduced varieties they had never seen before. We even expanded our CSA reach into Sewickley and Squirrel Hill, and with the completion of our new farm buildings, our workshops flourished.
This line of work is not for the faint of heart. For every magical moment among the blooms, there are long, grueling days of hauling compost and endless weeding. Beyond the physical labor, the most unsettling part of this business is the changing of the seasons—and the changing of the team. As people move on to new adventures in their lives, I will deeply miss the camaraderie and the trust we built together. While the uncertainty of hiring can be daunting, I remind myself how lucky I have been to work with such dedicated people. It always seems to work out, and I just have to trust the process.
I hope you have a wonderful New Year’s Eve evening whatever your plans may be. Thank you for being a part of Eleven Mile Farm this season, and I can’t wait to share more flowers with you in 2026!
From the (Fields)~ Becca