If your in the mid west or east coast, I hope your surviving the snow! Columbus got 9.5" late last week and more to come this week. I am ready for spring!!!!

If you haven't read the article on our changes to the business, please do. It's on the front page so you don't have to find it. Little Square Farm. There other changes going on also. We have changed banks from a national, (one who took bail out money and then payed the execs a bonus,) to local credit union. So far it been one of the best things we've ever done. We are getting rid a certain telephone company also, A**. They only want the quick buck and their customer service is some of the worst I have experienced. A bonus, we're actually going to save money! We've changed some other companies we do business with too. I am not going to give our hard earned money to any company that doesn't respect us. I recommend you do the same. We can make a difference when we vote with our dollars. That's all most of them care about so hit them where it hurts!

Credit Cards. I hate these things. They cost everyone far more than we know. I believe it is one of the issues that caused the economic collapse in 2008. We do because I think it's necessary but Diane disagrees strongly with this. With our move to wholesale only, this becomes less of a problem. In the mean time we will only accept credit cards through Paypal. This includes face to face transactions. This means we will need an e-mail address to process any cc transaction. We prefer checks or cash anyhow. It doesn't cost you or I any more money.

We are on our way to becoming a simply, customer service oriented company. What we care about most, is people. I know that's not a popular concept in the big business world but this is our company. We have to live with the way we treat our customers. Many of our customers become our friends and we frequent the same circles. I need to be able look them in the eye and know I was honest and did the best I could when we do business. Some of you may not be old enough to remember, but it used to be that way all the time. Your reputation and word of mouth were the best advertising you could possible get and it was based on what it should be, how you treat people! I have noticed a growing trend with smaller Eco-preneur type business that this is the focus. I think this will lead to long term success operating a sustainable business.

They'll be some new products available this year, if we have time. Solar powered irrigation systems, a permanent installation rain barrels and more. I will also be concentrating a little more on the bicycle side of things. It's something I love dearly and I have a lot of fun doing it. I will focus on the workshops and expanding some of the services, including a service contracts. This will benefit the serious rider and give them access to discounted services on a regular basis.

We'll also be writing some small booklets. These will be available on a variety of subjects, all things we do ourselves. They will be available in couple different formats, electronic and printed. We should have the first on ready by late spring.

We'll only be doing a few selected shows this year. One of our regrets both have now, and in the past when we were car racing, is our lack of time to go have some fun. To be spontaneous. We want to stop saying to each other "Boy I'd love to go to that but we have an event to do" and start saying "That was great! I'm glad we went!". I'll update the calendar for 2010 as soon as possible.

The future looks very bright for us. We're having fun and enjoying our lives. We are living consciously. When you can slow down and get out of the race the world becomes a much more peaceful place and life becomes satisfying and fun again. We are going to encourage everyone around us to do the same for themselves.

Chris Luers

Little Square Farm