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2/03/04

By SYLVIA HOEHNS WRIGHT

It started as a retirement venture and ended as one of Virginia’s most respected herb suppliers. Seeking a solution for an ongoing health issue, Bill Richie researched the use of herbs. At first, he and his wife, Marianne, experimented with culinary herbs. Pleased with the result, they shared their discovery with friends and acquaintances and eventually, created their first retirement venture, a catering business. But as Bill said, “The lags and overwhelming demand of this type of business became too much of an issue.”
Realizing their overflowing courtyard of culinary herbs limited a business opportunity, they located a five acre farm. A cleared acre was transformed into raised-bed herb gardens. Because the soil was too acid, a pH of 4.5, Richie raised the pH to an average required for herbs, 6.2 to 6.5 and in the area planted with lavender, 7.2 to 7.5. The raised beds, prepared at a 12-inch depth, consist of an equal mix of builders sand, clay and composted material. Formerly, his container gardens were started with a professional growers mix and flourished through water wise controls.
Recognizing the No. 1 cause of most problems with growing herbs as over-watering and the second, over-fertilizing, Richie attributes both activities as leading to either disease or lush, tasteless herbs. Herbs such as rosemary, oregano, thyme, savory and French tarragon do not require as much moisture as mints, parsley, dill or lovage. A recommended way to manage water requirements is to water evenly until the plant is moist, not soggy. If, as Richie advises, a container feels light when lifted, the plant more likely needs watering.
Although not a certified grower, he further recommends fertilizing approximately once a month with an organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion and seaweed. Herbs, like wild flowers, prefer minimal fertilization. Excessive lush growth diminishes essential oils and dilutes the flavor.
For 16 years, the Richies’ farm, A Thyme to Plant Herb Farm Inc., supplied garden centers and historical sites with herbs, scented geranium, plants and garden accessories. Using less than an acre, Richie first supplied field-grown herbs and then, over time, built eight greenhouses, a potting shed, a cold frame, and converted a garage into a herb shop. Marianne lectured and held culinary herb cooking classes.
The couple, a common sight at the Lewis Ginter plant sale and Herbs Galore at Maymont, became known as suppliers of quality herbs through out the state of Virginia. Still, as Richie indicates, he more importantly developed a mentoring relationship with a couple with like-type values and interests, Stan and Nicole Schermerhorn, owners of Lavender Fields Farm. Both the Richie and Schermerhorn families share a common belief, their businesses flourish with a higher purpose - an opportunity to nurture plants and the spirituality of others.
Richie named his farm after a Bible verse, Ecclesiastes 3:1-2: “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven --- A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.”
At age 80, Richie decided it was time for him to transition his business into what he believes to be trusted hands. Initially, he supplied herbs for Stan and Nicole Schermerhorn’s business. As the relationship extended beyond business colleagues, the Schermerhorns visited the farm to help with classes and events. In July of 2003, the combined business’ name symbolized the two couples, A Thyme to Plant at Lavender Fields Farm.
Stan Schermerhorn views the merge of the businesses as an opportunity of a client base, established goodwill, plant diversity, and an established reputation of quality plants but more importantly, an extension of his mentoring experience. Richie agreed to remain a hands-on contributor through the 2004 planting season. Nevertheless, Schermerhorn still views the transition with some reservation.
During the start-up of his existing business, Lavender Fields Farm, he had an opportunity to research, experiment, and grow with the expanding business. As Stan said, “The merging of two full-blown businesses is a different animal.”
The sheer effort of transporting six greenhouses from Powhatan to Glen Allen is an overwhelming experience, much less readying the buildings for use and establishing plants. But, as Nichole indicated, “If you love what you do and have faith, it works out.”
For the Schermerhorns, it most certainly has worked out. Inspired by a Paul Harvey commentary, they researched and opened their lavender business. Nichole credits much of their success to guidelines provided by a book, Lavender - The Grower’s Guide. Capitalizing on an opportunity to purchase land adjacent to their sixth generation farm, the couple sought additional grower opportunities. At first, they grew vegetables and then, cut-flowers. Finding the cut-flower market sustainable, their present focus is lavender, other herbs, and cut-flowers. Taking a leap of faith, the Schermerhorns decided to merge their business with A Thyme to Plant.
Few businesses can initiate from a small garden, but growing and selling herbs is one. With a modest investment of time, energy and money, an entrepreneur’s dreams may become a major enterprise. For the Richies, the year of 2003 was a year of transition, “a time to uproot what is planted.” For the Schermerhorns, it was a time of opportunity to expand their dream, “a time to plant”: nurture plants and the spirituality of others.