A Year to Remember - Staff Memories & Accomplishments
Posted by Sara Berg on Dec 23rd 2025
A Year to Remember - Staff Memories & Accomplishments
As the year comes to a close, at Tonkadale we're taking a moment to celebrate the memories that made it truly special. From steady progress to big milestones, this season has been full of growth in every sense of the word. In this blog, our team shares their favorite memories from the past year & the accomplishments that they’re most proud of. Together, these stories capture the learning, teamwork, and care that reminds us why we love what we do, who we do it with, and who we do it for: you!
Favorite Memories from Tonkadale
Andie: Getting to be a part of the "bow bar" with the design ladies. It was chaotic and ribbon was flying everywhere, but it was great to learn something new and meet lots of great customers.
Kendra: When we were getting ready to close one night - there was a runaway squirrel hanging out in the office, supervising HR work. He decided to go into the kitchen, and Diane was amazing with getting him closer to his rightful spot. Apparently, Tonkadale's mission of being a forever greenhouse home has been taken seriously by our fellow outdoor friends.
Donni: My favorite moment is a compilation. I don't consider that cheating, because the perennials department is all about continuation, right? Anywho...it was harboring all of the monarch caterpillars! It became a fun thing for us [perennials team], the store, AND the customers! I really hope we can do it again this summer!
Luke: One of my favorite Tonkadale memories for 2025 was working more with our Tonkadale team in May, and also spending more time getting to work with the team at our Breckendale growing range. It is so great that we have two great teams reflecting the same values 200 miles apart.
John: Seeing the baskets and combos we'd all worked on get purchased and adored by families on Mother's Day weekend.
Faith: Watching and being a part of a team that is such a well-oiled machine, but also such a complex unit. Learning about each individual's diverse specialties has been a blessing, and I love learning about new things that everyone is passionate and knowledgeable about!
Betsy: Not necessarily from this year specifically, but I love how our team comes together when our back is against the wall - to figure out how to problem solve and get tasks done. Another 10 skids when the barn and north wall are full? We'll figure it out, we always do. An entire semi load of skids of soil? We'll figure it out, we always do. The soil room stuffed to the gills by the end of February? We'll figure it out, we always do. I also think it never gets old when you hear someone who's bringing a friend or family member to Tonkadale for the first time say "oh, you'll love it here" or "this is my favorite place". My favorite memory from the past year was volunteering with the team at Surly's giving garden.
Sara: I can't pinpoint a specific memory, but a favorite overall would be guiding critters that make their way into the greenhouse back out. There's always a bit of excitement when a tiny frog or beautiful butterfly finds their way in, and my sweet teammates always take the time to compassionately help them get back to where they need to be. In addition to this, I have endless memories of gratifying interactions with customers. I love seeing customers interact with the displays I create & contribute to - as well as when they ask for my opinion on a pot choice, arrangement of plants, or bundle of silk flowers. It makes my heart so full to help guide them to a confident solution that they're excited about.
Proudest Accomplishments
Andie: Planting a new tree in my yard after our big tree fell on our garage! The hardest part was digging the hole. It was a lot more work and took longer than I thought, but was well worth it in the end. Here's hoping I have a beautiful, pink, blooming Minnesota Redbud this coming Spring.
Kendra: I love being part of the team events kickoff, the holiday party, the education sessions-but my proudest accomplishments are when I see individual(s) and an entire team tackle a challenge and get to the other side. It can be a customer need, corraling a bunny, finding a better way to water, pest control.... It is so fun to watch humans grow in real time....to see the teamwork, the resilience, the growth from one day to another.
Sheri: Teaching my first workshop! I was a nervous wreck beforehand, but being up there with Amaya and seeing the interest in the faces of the attendees helped immensely. And heck, anytime I get to talk about planning a garden is a good time for me.
Bethann: I tried some new plants at home and really enjoyed doing something different - a good reminder to think outside the box. I am really proud to be part of the design/production team for both seasons in 2025. Everyone works so well together, and it’s made the seasons feel less stressful.
Jessie: One of my proudest moments this year came from receiving a message after an experience an employee had that reminded me why the work matters. The note read, “Good morning! I just wanted to say thank you so much for the experience. I feel so lucky to be able to learn and grow with the company… I left this weekend feeling inspired and ready to share what I learned and implement some things with our team to make us even stronger.” Receiving that message was deeply affirming. It reinforced the value of investing in people, creating meaningful growth opportunities, and building a culture where employees feel energized to bring their best selves back to their teams.
Donni: Andie's post inspired this one! Standing (literally) hip deep in what used to be an ill-conceived horseradish patch planted by my late husband, who hated spicy food (???). Eradicating every last piece, muttering to myself, cursing him, while neighbors walked by, hurrying their steps when they caught my eye. All so I could plant my peach tree! It really felt like an "I am Woman, watch me cultivate" moment! I did have to fight rutting deer this fall who thought the peach tree was a cool place to show off to the ladies, and the horseradish keeps trying to crash the party, but I have bought my fabric bags to protect the peaches from the squirrels, and I will have a peach bellini next year!
Luke: One of my accomplishments for the year is finally learning how to drive a bobcat. I've been talking about it for years, and never took the time. I did get stuck in a snow bank recently at Breckendale, but I was able to get out on my own too!
John: After lots of phone calls, video chats, and emails with H.E. Anderson - I finally learned all of the features and intricacies of our fertilizer injector. Big thanks to my manager Simon for supporting me in that endeavor.
Faith: I graduated college and started my career at Tonkadale! I was so nervous graduating college this past May, and taking the leap to move back home, but I am so glad I did. Tonkadale has been the perfect match for me to use my degree and pursue my passions in one.
Betsy: Being able to take on more vendors in my buying list. I love finding new and cool merchandise to carry!
Sara: One of my proudest moments of the year was getting my promotion at Tonkadale! After a little over a year of helping out different departments and getting the lay of the land, finding my niche here has been really special for me. Also, in my garden at home, I grew and dried my own fresh herbs for the first time!
Photo of our team that volunteered at Surly's giving garden in August, as mentioned by Betsy in her favorite memory note.