Garden Coach For Hire
For weeks, since the last round of massive, bloodletting layoffs at work, I’ve been playing around with ideas in my mostly addled mind. What to do for work in the future? How to parlay my passions into cash, connection with my community and a sense of fulfillment. Today I read this thought-provoking post at one of my favorite garden sites, Garden Rant.
Of course, I want to write. I’ll always want to write. But the idea of being stuck in front of a computer for eight hours a day anymore just gives me a massive headache. I need to be outside, too. My three passions: writing, gardening and food. I spend a lot of time explaining how to do the the gardening and cooking to other people, and am finding that more and more people say to me, “I wish I knew more about it, but I just don’t know where to begin.”
So this post at Garden Rant suggests that those of us with the know-how start pimping ourselves around our locales as Garden Coaches. Now I only know a lot about a little part of gardening. My main thing is the edibles. From seed to stomach, that’s my specialty. I’m learning more about the perennials, flowers and trees, but wouldn’t consider myself a go-to person for someone just starting out. But you want to put in a vegetable garden, maybe enough to do a little canning and freezing? Pick my brain. Oh, and hey! How about you pay me, too?
Hmm. Food for thought, indeed.
Kelly Ferry, Urban Homestead Coach
That would be an unusual shingle to hang out front.
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar."
~Helen Hayes
July 7th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
That is brilliant! Because I want to write a column about Urban Homesteading. I want to write a book on the same subject. You being an urban homesteading coach is such a wonderful idea and I want that one to work out for you. How to promote it? Don’t know. But I know you would kick ass doing it.
Maybe we need to collaborate on a book about urban homesteading. Of course, book authors don’t get paid a whole lot of money either.
July 7th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Angelina, a collaboration would be wonderful. I think a book is less about cash (although that’s important too) and more about platform, and about honing the information and the story. Though we both would need to build the platform with articles/columns first. Something to think about.
I’m interested in the ideas of homesteading in a modern world, about the sexism that’s inherent in our culture about housekeeping and homemaking and how that transfers to any attempt at self-sufficiency. About how to squeeze all of it in between the other things we all have to do in order to function in this rat race. I’m not at all interested in writing a book about how to check out of society and live off the land. We should talk
July 7th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
You know, I think this is kind of brilliant. I’m thinking of my friends who are avid gardeners or not but who all value having a little spot to grow some food and how often they say, “I just wish someone would come over and show me what to do!” I think you would be wonderful at it, too, and seems like writing could come from it if you ended up writing for your clients (handbooks, short instructions, encouraging newsletters and what have you) and maybe for the rest of the world but being hemmed in by it.
July 7th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Yes, Dawn. I think it could be an interesting (and perfect for my wants) mix of writing and working out there with people. I have had so many people say they wish someone would just come over and show them what to do. I mean, I feel like for practicality sake I just need to focus on corporate writing, but really, doing that all the time would make me nuts. I need to have my hands and heart in more than one thing to stay balanced. Reading that post at Garden Rant was a huge “Ah-ha!” moment for me. I’ve been taking these baby steps inching along the way towards the career that’s truly right for me, being led along by little signs that I see when I’m paying attention enough. It’s cool.
Thanks for the support!
July 7th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Possible unknown fact for you: In another lifetime, I worked for years in a Landscape Architecture office. We did lots of big design, but there were always the people who just needed a little hand holding, a little map of how they should go about doing the job themselves (These jobs were disdainful for my boss, but a complete opportunity for me to do a side job). I think it’s the same for veggie gardening. You have so much knowledge to share about this little niche. How to compost, prepare the soil, plant, repel bugs, preserve….
I think there is great potential for someone to turn this type of thing into a consulting business. Esp since so many people are seemingly wanting to become a tad more self sufficient, without the actual knowledge to do so. You could offer simple consultation that would be you and a client standing in a yard, or you could draw simple layouts *specific* to a persons space, you could provide a shopping list of plants/seeds to buy, and written details. I am liking this idea, and it sounds so much better for you than your corporate gig.
July 7th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Keep talking to me Kris! I had no idea that you did that in a past life…too cool.
July 7th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
“From seed to stomach, that’s my specialty. ”
I love that.
Another idea: maybe pitch some gardening articles to some of the national glossy gardening mags? with pictures, since you take beautiful ones.
I love writing too but was changed to my desk for the month of April and thought I would die.
July 8th, 2007 at 8:13 am
This reminds me of a chat we had online a few weeks ago - yr Ms Little-Known Plant Variety! Teach the people!
I gave 5 (!!) tours of my garden last night during our party (!!!!!) people were so nice and flattering!!) and folks were saying they wished someone would come over and show them how. I mean, maybe there’s a market for this kind of thing. Maybe you can have a branch here in Urbana…
July 8th, 2007 at 10:02 am
this is a great idea! i was seriously just thinking about this a week or so ago - how i want there to be someone local who can help me get a garden going, help me diagnose what the soil needs, what to plant where, what goes with what, etc. . . . if you set yourself as a lecturer and workshop presenter you could pick up clients that way . . . teach “chicken tractors 101″ . . . awesome!
July 8th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
I can feel the excitement electrifying the air. That should tell you something!
July 8th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
How about a different sort of collaboration… you, the veggie and herb expert, with me, the perennials girl… all we need now is someone who knows trees and shrubs (and maybe someone to advise on annuals–I’m just “okay” there) and we’re in business. *grin*
Ah… if only…
July 8th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Ack. With the last name now…two Kris’s with a K frequenting this site!
Lisa’s comment made me remember that when I lived in California and had my garden, there was *always* someone who wanted a tour. It seemed a little weird to me; I mean, it’s a garden - hasn’t everybody seen one? I never thought mine was anything special. But now that I think about it, they asked lots of questions! Maybe they were trying to learn something useful to take home with them. Run with this, Kelly.
July 10th, 2007 at 9:10 am
Hey Kate, yes! Chicken Tractors!! Or rabbit hutch vermicomposting!
July 10th, 2007 at 9:11 am
Kim, you’re near Cleveland, right? We should talk!
July 11th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
I’m up in Lakewood… but work south of Brecksville. I even get over to Kent (which is near where you are, if I remember correctly?) occasionally! Last time I went–for work–I stopped at that Wild Goats coffee place and totally got a kick out of their “landscaping”… first time I’ve ever seen tomatoes and peppers and such planted near the front door of a business. Sweet.