Visiting North Guilford Nurseries

Visiting North Guilford Nurseries

by Chandel Gibbs, Resident Engagement AmeriCorps VISTA Member

Last week, our Community Building and Organizing (CB&O) team and gardeners from the Ivy Street Community Garden paid a visit to North Guilford Nurseries, a farm owned and operated by a small family. Set in the hills of North Guilford, the farm operates as a wholesale greenhouse. After our experience bringing a greenhouse to the Ivy Street Community Garden, we were curious to see the larger-scale activities produced by this particular greenhouse.

We met with owner Cody Christensen and his two sons, all of whom work as full-time staff at the farm. They told us the history of their farm and its business model, along with their involvement in the retail industry. They also discussed the obstacles faced in operating a greenhouse, such as when their greenhouse was destroyed in 2013 after a huge snowstorm. The family rebuilt the greenhouse with new and improved equipment, giving us plenty to keep in mind as we discuss the future operations of our own greenhouse.

Towards the end of our visit, they showed us some features of the greenhouse. The greenhouse was equipped with a heating system, irrigation via a local pond, and various heavy-duty equipment and machinery for greenhouse operations. It is important to note that the entire greenhouse, including the electrical work, was rebuilt and constructed by the family. The family aims to explore new possibilities, and they have many interesting ideas on how to grow and expand their business. 

We were so excited to engage with this family and to discuss ideas about farming and planting.