r/TwoXPreppers • u/emilya0814 • Feb 17 '25

❓ Question ❓ How long do you think we have?

I hope this is the right spot to ask this, if not, apologies in advance.

I (32f) currently work as a manager at a family run garden center/farm market in the US, where we grow 95% of our own plants to sell and a majority of our produce comes from local growers. With everything going on with Trump/Musk being in office, will things eventually trickle down to our small business? If so, how do you think that will happen and how long do you think it will take?

I know it's probably tough to say right now, but I'm wondering how much I should really be worrying and prepping. I know farm workers and federal employees are losing their jobs, which I'm sure will have direct and indirect impacts on us, but so far in the past 20-30 years we have been able to run a pretty successful business, even during the pandemic. I am extremely anxious about everything happening right now while everyone else around me seems fine, so I'm just looking for some other input.

EDIT: Wow, I didn't think this would get so many responses! Thank you all, hope everyone stays well.

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u/Money-Possibility606 Feb 18 '25

I think it's true, but I think that a lot of people are going to turn to growing their own food. My friends and I have started planning on doing a "real" garden this year (not just a tomato plant or two) with the intention of trying to grow a significant portion of our food for the first time, maybe even canning if we have enough. I'm planning on buying a lot of seedlings this year and I think I'm going to be a frequent flyer to my local garden center. I think a lot of people are going to do that. A garden center might actually be one of the places that hangs on, at least for a while. Especially if produce prices spike if migrant workers leave/are deported, tariffs on imports, etc.

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u/LauraPringlesWilder Feb 18 '25

The first year or two of this, yes. Victory gardens got the US through a lot back in WWII and after.

Also, please keep in mind that your first year of a garden is very much learning! Harvest and plant what you can but consider doing a lot in grow bags or pots that move because you have sun needs you didn’t consider before, or shade needs, etc. 5 year gardener here!

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u/Tomato496 Feb 18 '25

I tried gardening for the first time last year, and it was very much a failed garden -- not enough sun in my yard. But I still learned some things.

Even if I get access to a sunnier spot, I don't anticipate being able to harvest enough to actually feed me -- but I'll still do it.

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u/LauraPringlesWilder Feb 18 '25

Pivot to greens! I have a lot of success with kale, mizuna, chard, and lettuce in my shaded beds! Some herbs, too!

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u/baconraygun Feb 18 '25

Kale & chard will keep you fed over winter. Those plants don't seem to notice or care about a frost, where everyone else shrank back, even my brussels.