Tell Me Something Good
American entrepreneurship
When I was a young man I was fortunate to have owned a 9 acre property that became what you might call a “micro farm”. There was an 18th Century saltbox house that needed me to keep it from crumbling to the ground. There were horses (compost!). And there was a big vegetable garden. Maybe 10,000 square feet. Asparagus, raspberries, blueberries and every veggie I could consider growing in the colder climate of Western Massachusetts.
I’m not sure who introduced me to Johnny’s Seeds. But I figured that if they were successful in Albion, Maine, they would be in Massachusetts as well. This was the case. The seeds were outstanding.
I was also captured by the story of a guy who started with nothing and built what became one of the premier sources of seeds for the small commercial grower and serious home gardener.
So the seeds are special and the guy has a great story. But what moves me to write about this company now?
In the middle of this American apocalypse and flight to fascism, I needed to think about a classic American success story.
The Johnny’s catalog is eye candy for those of us who love to grow things and…for those who appreciate good web design. I did a little design work in a previous incarnation. I am impressed with the beauty and functionality of their site. Well done!
I also like this:
Rob Johnston and spouse Janika Eckert donated a conservation easement on Johnny's farm in Albion and on an additional 45 acres of farmland they own nearby. The easements with Maine Farmland Trust ensure that the land will never be developed or used for any purpose other than farming.
But most of all, I love this:
Johnny’s is 100% employee-owned.
In 2006, through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Johnny's Selected Seeds was sold to its employees. In an ESOP, employees receive shares of the company — not any outside investor. Within 6 years, by 2012, employees owned 100% of the company.
What if more companies did that? What if companies had employees as members of their board of directors? What if stockholders were not the only stakeholders? What if there was a capitalism that included workers as decision makers?
I worked at The Home Depot during its “golden years”. Employees were stockholders. The 35 year old guy running the plumbing department was halfway to a million dollar + nest egg. The culture was “can do”. The customer was worshipped. As the business grew so did employees’ stock holdings. Win. Win.
This system fueled employee dedication and performance. It stimulated an environment of helping fellow workers become successful. Sadly, when the Home Depot founders retired they hired a fascist type CEO who gutted the culture. I wrote that story about three years ago. Go here for more.
Back to today. Fascism has reached the national level. President elect Musk is in control of Congress. In the face of all this political madness, what to do? We’ll keep up the good fight. But how can we find some personal piece of mind?
The answer for me is to order some seeds and plan the garden. As the farm workers are rounded up and deported, people will be growing more of their own food. This season may remind us of the seed shortages of the Covid years. If you are planning a Victory Garden, consider ordering your seeds soon. The best varieties sell out quickly.
In the meantime, it’s really cold out there. Here’s something to warm you up.
Bill,
Thank you. The positivity and the excellent history of Johnny's seeds were a welcome early morning read. I appreciate the effort.
You wowed me again, Bill. Amazing story of the seed Company… And sort of equally amazing of the old Home Depot. I did not know that about the original company. Thank you. A reminder of how things can be done. Just need to somehow reduce greediness.