From owner Tami Gallagher regarding the evolving COVID-19 situation in Minnesota:
Courage is doing the right thing even when, no — especially when — you have something great to lose.
I am paraphrasing something I heard Brene Brown say on a podcast this morning. I was already in the middle of a serious gut check, but this made it glaringly clear what my decision was.
Home Sown Gardens is a company about the people — the people we employ, the people we work for, and the people who enjoy the spaces we maintain — way more than it is about the services we provide. When I think about the right thing to do, I need to consider the people. By default we tend to make decisions about what will have the least impact in this moment. There is a bigger picture here and what part does Home Sown Gardens place in it? Doing the right thing will always bring the right results and the impact we have on the world is always far bigger than we imagine.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued an executive order directing Minnesotans to stay at home for two weeks in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic Wednesday afternoon. The order starts tomorrow. Only essential businesses are allowed to stay open. And even though we are considered an essential business (Landscape Maintenance Services, Construction, and Tree Care are listed on the NAICS list compiled by Governor Walz of “essential businesses.” (See: NAICS code 5617 “Services to Buildings and Dwellings” on the Governor’s list of critical businesses.) Our industry association, MNLA, has received express guidance from staff in the Governor’s office that Landscape services (subcategory 561730) falls within this category.) I have made the decision to shut down our operations until at least April 10th as the order recommends and then reevaluate as more information is available.
We will continue to keep in touch with you and will plan on resuming spring cleanups April 13th unless circumstances change. We will have a skeleton staff in place — mostly working from home — should you need anything or have any questions, we will do our best to respond in a timely manner.
Stay safe, stay well,
Tami Gallagher, MNLA-CP
Owner and Gardener Extraordinaire
