A Day In The Life

Today, we kick off our weekly series titled, A Day In The Life! (a nod to my love of music/lyrics…a huge dose of love for the vendors of this market)

We begin with the Swisher Hill Herbs story!! Charlene is your assistant market manager!! She keeps me in line, keeps me organized, jumps in when I need her to be me, at times. She hands out the vendor checks, she dispenses “sage” advice, and she shows me support and love, right when I think I don’t need it. She submitted the cutest story that will take you on a fun “tour” of a day in the life at Swisher Hill Herbs!!

Thanks, Charlene…and of course, Joe…her husband and administrative assistant!!

A day on Swisher Hill Herbs:
My name is Ginger, I am a Golden Retriever. I was brought here to this place a scared little puppy 13 years ago. The Male human who picked me out and brought me here, gave me a puppy treat and a bowl of water, sat me on the porch and said This is your Home . As I sat on the steps of the front porch. I was surrounded by wonderful smells, cool loose dirt to dig in, shade trees to sit under, and I could smell the moles, rabbits, chipmunks and other critters that were plentiful. I got off the porch and followed lady human around the house on paths with gardens and flowers everywhere, I learned very quickly. There were Rules! Stay on the path and out of the gardens. I don’t mind this too much because there is plenty of green grass to roll in, paths that go the through the woods where I can investigate and wander around. I am loved and free. I shall call these humans Daddy and The Mama. I would like to tell you about our day here.

The birds start waking us up around 5:30, coffee is on by 6:00 am. By 6:30 Mama and I head off to the gardens, we make a quick stop at the greenhouse to check on plants. Every day is different out here, new plants blooming, new seeds coming up, always new weeds, and critters are everywhere. Critters and protecting these humans is my job Swisher Hill Herbs. I stay in the gardens under a shade tree for about an hour or so, then I wander back up to the house to check on Daddy, Mama joins us for breakfast. After breakfast it’s back to work, Daddy mowing, Mama weeding, planting and harvesting, of course I go around the perimeter of the property to check on critters check mole hills. I am a pretty good mole hunter. But remember what I told you about rules. Don’t bring moles in the house to play with is a big no, no! Another big “NO NO” is going in the secret room in the basement where Daddy and the Mama develop their products. However, I do like to lie outside the door and enjoy all the great smells.

I have learned over the years that my humans have a large extended family of other humans who visit here. Some come briefly and walk the gardens, take pictures and leave. They most always include me in their pictures. Say, if you would like to see a picture of me go to the vendors section of this website, look under Swisher Hill Herbs pictures, that’s me, I am the red hairy dog sitting in the shade watching Daddy mow. Other Humans stay for extended times I call them Family. We all visit and help in the gardens, harvest vegies to cook, pick flowers for the table or take home. I protect them all, especially the little ones.

Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at Swisher Hill Herbs are busy times. It is called Getting ready for Market and Going to the market. I stay out of the way, Daddy and my down time is Thursday afternoons when The Mama goes to the Virtual market. On Friday humans pack the car with all kinds of herbs and flowers dried and fresh. Saturday They are gone for a few hours. But they always come back to be with me.

We are going to have a Swisher Hill Herb open house here in July on a Sunday, we would like to invite you all to come. But you have to stay on the paths, we will have a sample table of good herb dishes made with our herb products. Learn about herbs and how easy they are to grow. You will understand why I will never leave this place Called Swisher hill Herbs

Swisher Hill Herbs is located approx. miles east of Urbana, Ohio on Swisher Road. This has been a family owned business since 1981. Originally owned my mother Virginia Moore and me. We began plant herb gardens to educate ourselves and help introduce the uses of herbs to our customers. These gardens consist of both formal display beds, conventional plots and raised beds of herbs, flowers and vegetables. It was because of our love of herbs and all their virtues that prompted us to start blending all of our own herb seasonings, dips, butters, spreads and sauces. We made potpourri, herbal bath product and conducted classes on herb related subjects.
Swisher Hill Herbs is owned and operated today by Joe and Charlene Stapleton. This family owned business still continues the tradition of introducing herbs and herb related products to the public. All of our herb blends are salt free, no preservatives, and no msg. We have a small greenhouse to grow our herb plants and gardens to sell fresh cut herbs in season. We are consistently experimenting with flavors introduce to our customers.
The little Herb Shop is no longer open. We sell our products instead through Champaign County Farmers Market and this Virtual Market.