By Linda Halley | Never having sold Girl Scout cookies or marching band fundraisers door to door, driving the neighborhood and ringing doorbells was a whole new experience for me. That is just what I did for two afternoons last week. Gift of bird seed and friendly letter in hand, I put on my smile. I realized that strangers on your stoop are not common these days, and for some, might even be unwelcome. But, heck, I’m a 60-year-old woman in a silly stocking hat. I hoped that would at least get a door cracked open. And, I, too, had some feelings of being unsure of the unknown behind the glass; so, I got it.

Turns out, hesitant faces quickly turned to smiles when I explained that I was the manager of the farm down the road. Almost everyone feeds birds and most remembered the gorgeous sunflower field that produced the seeds I was offering. But perhaps, more welcome was the information and handshake. Our neighbors are hungry to know what is happening at the farm on Bryn Drive and glad to meet one of the farmers working there. It is obvious that everyone cares about their neighborhood and values the beautiful open space that Gwenyn Hill Farm is preserving.

Being a bit of an introvert, I was exhausted after my delivery route. However, I realized that I kept wanting to share what fun I had and what wonderful, welcoming people I had met with friends and family. After living here for 8 months I finally met my neighbors and feel a part of our community. I also feel that what Gwenyn Hill has to offer the community – organic food and environmental stewardship – is valued and an important endeavor.

We still have many bags of sunflower seeds and letters left to deliver but with each friendly hello I feel more and more grateful to have the opportunity to introduce Gwenyn Hill to our community.