16
Apr
Before stepping onto the soil of Southern Valley, I had never been on a farm. Despite growing up ten minutes down the road, I’d never sunk my boots into the fresh earth before sunrise or plucked a fresh-grown fruit from the vine. Never smelled the farm-truck exhaust or heard the bees buzz about as they pollenate flower after flower, field after field.
This is farm life at Southern Valley.
While the fields are full of muddy boots and fresh-picked fruits and vegetables, the office of Southern Valley works just as hard. The Operations team sinks their boots into the hustle and bustle of packing and shipping while the PACK Logistics team juggles deliveries and deadlines. Meanwhile the Sales team paces and prances, busy as the bees pollenating the Spring crop. The whole office smells of intensity and optimism, prepared for the season ahead.
It starts before sunrise and ends long after sunset. It’s finding that delicate balance between hard work and time for play. It’s plentiful pollen and constantly saying “bless you.” It’s knowing that you’re willing to do whatever it takes, to just get behind and push. It’s such an intense passion for produce that once you catch it, in the words of Dug Schwalls, “it’s in your blood forever.”
Well, in my first five weeks at Southern Valley, I’ve muddied my boots and heard the bees, and I have a good feeling this is only the beginning.
~ Maggie Hiers, Marketing Information Specialist