Richwood Gardens is more than just a local business or an online resource for veterans—it is a story of discovering one’s passion for life’s simpler joys and using that passion to strengthen and enrich the community. While I personally handle all aspects of growing, marketing, writing, and sales, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the unwavering support of my loving wife, Lindsey, and our two children. Their encouragement has been instrumental in making this endeavor a reality.

My journey into horticulture began long before Richwood Gardens. From volunteering in my middle school greenhouse as part of the gardening club to cultivating my market garden today, my love for growing things has been a constant. Looking back at the different gardens I’ve tended over the years, I recognize a pattern—my most active gardening periods coincided with times in my life when I felt the greatest sense of purpose.

That passion for getting my hands in the dirt only grew as the years went on. Before settling on our current 18-acre farmstead just outside Richwood in northern Union County, Ohio, we lived on a one-acre property in Powell. There, I planted fruit trees, maintained a small garden, and raised laying hens. While I enjoyed the experience, I had always dreamed of having enough space to grow crops or have an orchard on a scale large enough to serve a community market.

That dream took a decisive turn during the Independence Day weekend of 2017. While casually browsing online for properties, we stumbled upon what we felt like would be our perfect home. The very next morning, we listed our house, and within three days, it was sold. Though it would take nearly a year to build the necessary infrastructure and shape the land, Richwood Gardens was born. I loved the idea of cultivating a large vegetable plot and bringing my harvest into town for the farmers market on Saturday mornings, keeping me connected with the community throughout the summer when I wouldn’t be in the classroom.

As I envisioned the identity of my market garden, I wanted it to reflect not only our new home and the physicality of farming but also my military service. The chevrons above the crossed pick and spade in my logo symbolize my six years with H&S Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines out of Brook Park, Ohio. During that time, I deployed to Al-Anbar Province, Iraq, in 2005. Though my days of active service are behind me, I strive to carry forward the values the Marine Corps instilled in me—grit, dedication to duty, and integrity—into my business operations. Some of the most valuable lessons I have learned came from the Marines who led me and those who served beside me.

“We should so live and labor in our time that what came to us as seed may go to the next generation as blossom, and that which came to us as blossom may go to them as fruit. That is what we mean by progress.“

– Henry Ward Beecher

These values also shape my approach to teaching and parenting. I firmly believe that we grow stronger as a society when we pass down knowledge, a love of learning, and a passion for our interests to the next generation. It is a privilege to do all of these things as a full-time educator, market gardener, husband, and father. The parallels between education and horticulture are not lost on me—both require patience, nurturing, and a deep appreciation for growth.

My experiences as a language teacher and world traveler have further reinforced my understanding of how food connects people across demographics, cultures, and communities. Few things are as universally unifying as sharing a meal or appreciating where our food comes from. As another growing season begins, I look forward to spending Saturday mornings with the wonderful people of Union County. If you find yourself in the area, stop by and say hello—I’d love to meet you!