Stewardship

What if not all labor is meant to serve the same purpose? This Labor Day, I’m reflecting on the different kinds of work that have shaped my life—from teaching, to providing for my family, to tending the daylily farm. Somewhere along the way, I discovered that some labor pays the bills, some builds a future, and some simply feeds the soul. And sometimes, the work that gives us purpose looks a lot like getting our hands dirty.

We make our plans, work hard to stick to them, and then life has a funny way of rewriting the schedule. Between State Fair, the start of high school, a long-awaited return to the daylilies, and a historic flood, this summer has been a reminder that we don't always get to choose what happens next. But sometimes, in the middle of the mess, we find grace, perspective, and a community willing to show up for one another.

A simple question from her husband stopped Jessica in her tracks: "Why do you do this?" The answer led her on a journey through family memories, the legacy of Daylily Connection founder Sheila VanNatta, and a growing passion for a farm she never expected to love. This heartfelt reflection explores stewardship, grace, and what it means to leave a place better than you found it.

Daylily Connection was already rich with history long before Jessica and Colt took over the farm. But somewhere between conversations under the carport, learning customers' stories, and saying "I do" among the daylilies, it became part of her story too. Discover how one family's legacy continues to grow through the people who call the farm home.

When I first inherited the daylily farm, I imagined stewardship would look like grand projects, beautiful gardens, and transformative change. But the longer I care for this place, the more I realize that stewardship isn't found in dramatic transformations—it's found in the small acts of care repeated day after day. In this love letter to Stewardship, I reflect on what it means to honor a legacy, embrace responsibility, and make thoughtful improvements for tomorrow, one small