By John Singleton
In the summer edition of Homestead Gardens in-house publication Inspirations,' owner Don Riddle wrote a foreword called Always Something New. It was one of his last official communications. In it he wrote about research in plant genetics that indicated if humans were to disappear from the earth it would only take 20 to 40 years for all plants to revert to their native forms. The trained horticulturalist had spent a lifetime breeding vegetables and plants to fit human needs, but he never lost his humility. In the end, Riddle knew nature would prevail, adding that without human intervention corn will go back to being a squat, tropical grass, mums would grow as little daisy-like flowers, and variegated foliage would be a thing of the past.
Don Riddle took pride in Homesteads reputation as an innovator, and he never stopped seeking ways to make his plants more prolific and disease-resistant to feed and beautify our community.
Don was a dear friend of mine, explained Steve Samaras, owner of Zacharys Jewelers. Don saw beauty as a gift and built his business on that vision. He told me to be successful you must love what you do and that ones business is a reflection of its owner. Homestead Gardens is his monument.
Don Riddle ended his last message to the public on a hopeful note: I never cease to be amazed by the new discoveries that each spring brings. On June 30, 2011 Don Riddle passed away unexpectedly.
Its been a difficult year. There have been many challenges. Every day I miss my dad and I wish he was here with us, said Dons son, Brian Riddle. But the one thing were doing is were moving forward at Homestead Gardens with my dads values in mind and were staying true to his vision.
Brian Riddle was born in 1976, three years after his father founded Homestead Gardens. The young Riddle grew up driving a tractor, helping his dad build some of the very structures that stand at Homesteads Davidsonville headquarters today. But filling his fathers shoes as the President and CEO of Homestead Gardens is a humbling prospect for the boy who grew up walking in his fathers footsteps.
I dont know that I can fill his shoes. My dad was a great man, a wonderful man, added Riddle, who is married with two young children. But business-wise were a little different. I come from the management side. My dad studied horticulture. He knew plants and shrubs like nobody else.
At its seasonal peak, Homestead employs 350 people with annual receipts of approximately $25 million, most of it generated at the Davidsonville headquarters. However, by all accounts Homesteads first satellite location that opened last year in Severna Park has exceeded all expectations.
Homestead Gardens is going to continue to be a successful, thriving business in our local community for many years to come, summarized Samaras. Homestead was built on a firm foundation. With Brian Riddle at the helm, the business will continue to serve its customers and beautify our homes and neighborhoods like it always has done.
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