I have a great job. Really, I do and I like to think it shows only all the time. We are now entering winter season, a slower time for our not-so-little market, typically when my work shifts behind the scenes. You’d think Winter would include taking it easy and rest up for HIGH-SEASON, to which I can only say….
So, yeah, there’s tasks, and chores, marketing and blahddy-blahBLAAH, but bar none,
The WORST PART OF MY JOB EVER… is
-Watching the weather reports (that are only local-ISH and Correct-ISH at best)
-Debating who gets it “right”
-What other businesses will do….who will tough it out, close, or shorten hours
-Betting how fast it might (???) all dissipate, and what kind of a bet are we actually making here…Hedging bets, a futures bet, YOU BET – just trying to not bet the farm, here 😉
Trust me, it’s all a bit nauseating when I know that 15-20 vendors and their families welfare depend on this income and Mother Nature “playing nice”. At the same time, I also know our customers depend on our vendors being there (almost) no matter what.
And then, it’s just time. Our vendors need advance notice to make, bake, harvest, weigh, package, price and pack, hey, maybe even shop for ingredients in there, too, and all that takes somewhere between 24-48 hours so now the pressure is ON
TO MAKE THAT CALL!
SO……JAN 8TH, 2025, WILL BE OUR FIRST (hopefully last, and ONLY 🙏🏼 )
BTW, Sidebar Note, about those weather forecasters….
Man-OH-man, what other job can you be SO wrong about SO often and yet, skate by SO freely?! 🤦🏻♀️
So, dear reader, student, faculty, staff, adjuncts, professors, regional employees and employers, WFH & SAHM families, retirees, visitors, and everyone else:
Please Stay Warm & Safe, and help us spread the news that we are choosing safety and well-being and staying shut this week.
After all, we continue to do what we love, love what we do bringing you the very Best of the Blue Ridges, VA Edition throughout the other 51 opportunity-filled weeks of the year!
PS: Since I won’t be at my favorite job this Wednesday, during our regular hours of 10-12:30, send me an email to tell me (privately – of course!) what task YOU hate the most at your job ! We are in this together 😉
Nina Kauder (She/Her),
Lexington Farmer’s Market Manager
https://lexvafm.com/about/
Thanks for the heads up! Safety first…and unambiguity–knowing what the heck is going on–is a close second for me! THANK YOU!
Good to know, Susan – glad we could save you and the fellas from making a wasted trip in poor weather. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Stay warm….
Nina, having been in similar situations I understand the dilemma, but it’s always safety first. Even though I have to buy eggs at the food lion!!
And for the grower, harvesting in this weather is brutal. We have such a dedicated group of growers. I appreciate every green leaf I get.
And you do a tremendous job keeping it all running smoothly. The best I’ve ever been involved in.
Thank you.
So kind of you to say – Thank you.
I consider myself so blessed to have so many great reasons to do what I can for this market’s success. Between all our great customers (2 and 4 leggeds alike) and the very BEST producers within the Blue Ridges, VA Edition, this job is a joy! Now, if only we could get a location with winter shelter, and less unsure footing on the ground, we could really get cooking there!