An open house is taking place at a nursery in Middle Sackville on Saturday to mark the beginning of a new era for a local gardening institution.
Former Anderson's greenhouse operators Heather and Blane Smith announced last year they would retire after 37 years operating the nursery.
Then, in November, Heather Kristine Smith – née Heather Anderson – died at the age of 64.
Open Sky Co-operative – a group that works with neurodivergent young adults at an 11-acre farm, also located in Middle Sackville – is part of an effort to keep the greenhouses running.
The group has launched a social enterprise that's meant to create a new source of revenue for Open Sky, while also providing its participants with new opportunities.
Sam Bliss was the first-ever summer student at Open Sky. He’s now in his ninth season working at the greenhouse operation, and is coordinating the program. "Everything's sort of come full circle for me," he said, while giving CHMA a tour of one of the greenhouses. "My dream was always to open my own greenhouse, and knowing the folks at Open Sky really helped," he said.
He’s working with participants from Open Sky, along with fellow greenhouse worker Jess Paget, who has been working there for the past two seasons.
"I think it's really nice that [the greenhouse] can kind of live on, in another way that's different but still just kind of familiar feeling," Paget said.
Peaceful tasks such as filling pots with soil contribute to a sense of purpose for program participants, said Open Sky executive director Laura Hunter.
"They contribute to the health and wellness of the plants, and they contribute to beauty and customer satisfaction," Hunter said. "So folks enjoy their experiences."
Joni Fleck Andrews, daughter-in-law of the late Heather Smith, is also operating greenhouses at the nursery and running a business alongside Open Sky. What started for her as a journey to find new and meaningful work "has also turned into a healing journey after Heather passed away last fall," Fleck Andrews said.
"And it's been really emotional at times. But it's been incredibly special and heartwarming. And I feel really good about the succession of the greenhouses and its continuance."
This weekend's events also include the official opening of a new "maker space" at the nearby Open Sky farm. The facility includes a newly-built workshop, tool storage and a cold room.
The open house events take place Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Open Sky’s location on Folkins Drive, and at the greenhouse facility on School Lane, which is open for business from nine until five on Saturday.
The audio report from CHMA starts with program coordinator Sam Bliss.