Where did 2024 go!?

I think I grew too much?

I blinked and it was gone. My last blog post was from 2023! So much happened during 2024 that I didn’t have a chance to stop and write about it, and now it’s already 2025! The first thing that happened, after getting the VTDEC to agree that our property isn’t a wetland after waiting a year for them to come to that conclusion (thanks to our engineer), was to get the excavation done so we could put the greenhouse up. Then it snowed and progress came to a halt during winter. I switched gears during my down time and worked with Rural VT to give testimony to two state committees about my experiences and the need for cannabis regulation reform.

Then spring came and the race was on to get the greenhouse completed. I couldn’t find any one person to commit to finishing the project, so it was done a little at a time by so many different people that came to help when they could. As soon as the sides were up, the plants went in. It was a while before the roof went on. The plants were about six feet tall by the time the electrical wiring was installed. It technically still isn’t finished, but it was finished enough to use it for the most part.

I think I grew too much in an attempt to make up for lost time. Maybe in an attempt to prove to myself that I could successfully grow a full crop? The greenhouse was jammed packed and the overflow was outside, behind the greenhouse so that the plants couldn’t be seen from the road. It was definitely the best grow I’ve had yet! The flowers were absolutely stunning.

Then harvest time came and I was completely overwhelmed. I had to pick up a second job to keep Hidden Leaf Homestead afloat. I hired help, but it wasn’t long before I couldn’t afford to keep paying anyone. And then, another road block… while getting ready to make some changes to the drying room we found mold. Talk about a kick in the gut. We had to rip out the entire room, walls, floor, insulation, all of it. Then repair cracks in the concrete walls where water was entering. Thank goodness my credit card company just increased my limit because that was the only way I could afford to pay for all of the new materials and tools we needed. I’m so very thankful to one of my neighbors for lending me their nail gun! The one tool I needed that I could not afford to buy. I attended “You Tube University” and learned how to do everything that had to be done myself with some help from my husband. Now I can add “amateur carpenter” to my resume, lol.

Like the greenhouse, the drying room isn’t quite completely finished. Still needs some trim painted and put up, but we got it to the point where it could house our plants to dry. I built a huge rack system out of PVC that we could easily break down and put back up as needed. We added an air purifier, a heater, and humidifier to try to keep a balanced climate so I could take my time getting the plants bucked and stored for trimming.

Now the race is on to get everything trimmed, cured, tested, packaged, and sold. Please wish me good luck! I could use some good luck.