In October 2008, I had the need for a website to let the world know that I had broadforks for sale. Knowing nothing about the 'World of Websites,' I called in a pro.Tashai Lovington got that call and designed the website that I have used since then. My instructions were simple; I wanted a single page website linked to paypal, and I wanted it to be as simple as a kid's lemonade stand. We sat down at a table at Sjolinds in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, had coffee and chocolate, and hashed out the details.
Tashai is an independent filmmaker, partnered with Robert Lughai, and their company is called Tarazod Films. We met several year ago when they were filming Mad City Chickens. Our chicken story was featured in their film, and in that process, I got to know an amazingly talented and artistic couple.
The first call I made when I figured out I needed a website was to Tashai. I told her that I trusted her implicitly, and that she could do anything artistically that she wanted to with the website. If you have seen the original website, you know I did the right thing. Her artwork was wonderful, and that little website impressed a lot of you enough to purchase a broadfork from me.
Thank you, Tashai. It worked.
There's a new site coming, Broadforkers! It'll be up and running in a day or so, and like our gardens, it'll be continually growing and changing, and providing us with more than we would have ever dreamed. I'll miss the old one and it's simplicity, but I am finding that I have a lot more to say, and I need more room to say it.
From very humble beginnings, this little company has begun to take root in the rocky soil of the stormy US economy. It's working out because I have chosen to give you your money's worth, and you have chosen to shop for the best. It's the way business ought to be done, and it's the way it will always happen here.
I am deeply grateful for each of you. Without you none of this would have been possible. The business has grown to the point that I needed a second pair of hands to help me with production. I chose the most capable hands I knew, and they happened to be attached to my wife, Karen. She has built the new website, and is the 'soil scientist' on staff. She now does all the handle work, fitting and finishing each and every select ash handle that goes out the door.
Now I have to say that four hands touch your broadfork before yours touch it. Four very grateful hands.
Good soil to you all.
Gulland
I left word on your answering machine . I am going to garden in a different way this year and the broadfork looks like it will fit into my new style. Just want to ask a few before ordering. Thx.
ReplyDeleteThe latest issue of Mother Earth News had an article on Broadforks and I think your look tougher than the others I have seen and is competitively priced . I look forward to talking with you.
ReplyDeleteThe word is supposewd to be yours and a capitol I ..lol
ReplyDeleteHey Danny,
ReplyDeleteNo points off for typos when you clearly are stricken with garden fever! A broadfork will help with that, I promise!
Thanks for the tip on Mother Earth News. I haven't seen that issue yet, so I'll make sure I get a copy.
Yes, my broadfork costs what the others do, but you'll find that I put a lot of details in mine that the other guys don't. The blog archives will show a lot of those things if you'll read them from the oldest one to here.
Thanks for writing, and I hope to help you with a broadfork soon.
Good soil to you,
Gulland
What is the name of that Company Near Frankfort, Kentucky again -I had them on Favorites but it seems to have been deleted by someone?
ReplyDeleteWe saw your ad in the Abode section of the Ismus paper we pick up on the way back from our farm in Wisconsin. I have now told my husband that the broadfork would make an excellent Mother's Day gift :-). We drive through Black Earth on the way to Viroqua. Maybe we could pick one up soon.
ReplyDeleteBarb
Hey Danny, That's Earth Tools BCS in Owenton, KY. Great folks, great tools, and the only place in the world you can get a Gulland Broadfork besides from me. I love 'em that much!
ReplyDeleteBarb and Steve, Great! Let me know when you're passing through and we'll have one ready for you. The Gulland Garden will be rolling along by then and maybe you can come by to see it. I also have a couple of pick up points in the area if we can't get together in person for whatever reason.
I love the Crawford/Richland/Vernon triangle in SW Wisconsin. It's the prettiest part of the state, I believe, and I have several friends out there; hopefully some more soon.
Steve, nothing says "I love you" like a sparkling new broadfork! Best of all, it has no cord. You do know that gift giving rule, right?
Good soil to you all, Gulland
By the way, everybody, that photo is a sunset from our old place out on the Military Ridge in south central Wisconsin. The Gulland Broadfork was born under that very sky!
ReplyDeleteGulland
We'll be getting in touch with you soon. I put a link to your website & blog on our blog...
ReplyDeletehttp://the-big-red-barn-blog.blogspot.com/2010/04/its-april-getting-closer-to-gardening.html
Have a great Spring day!
Hey Barb and Steve,
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking me from your blog and spreading the good word about the broadfork.
I like the way this little business is growing; it's at a human pace. The growth comes from people like you that are trying to do the right thing and make a difference in your corner of the world. It's all about taking small steps in the right direction. Keep traveling!
Gulland