The Farm at Central Village in Plainfield is quite a marvel to behold. It’s a gardening center and premier nursery, but if I had to describe it in one word it would be “picturesque.”

Art comes from inspiration, and when you see this place almost marbled with beautiful plants, flowers and smell the breath of life everywhere you feel the inspiration that your home or garden can be just as gorgeous. They sell all sorts of arrangements including: perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, shrubs, and locally grown fruits and vegetables.

The thing the makes the farm truly wonderful is they are a real family business. Ben and Kelly Burdick are the owners and operators with their son Sam running the day-to-day and hoping to take on the business. Ben is an experienced wholesale horticultural salesman while Kelly is a business teacher. Sam recently just graduated school for plant science and we’re told has impeccable people skills. The business’s Facebook page description has a pretty in debth description stating:

“... We are a true family business. Father, Ben Burdick is an experienced wholesale horticultural salesman. Mother, Kelly Burdick is a business teacher. Daughter, Sarah is a Digital Media & Design Major at Uconn. Daughter, Abby is a UConn student studying exercise science & nutrition with a passion for organic living. Son, Sam is an vo-ag student hoping to take on the business. Shop local, eat local, plant local!”

The family has been in Plainfield for about 20 years, but Ben was always in love with the building that business was in. When he finally saw it for sale he was almost stunned, he said. Martel Woodworking had been there for about 27 years. About four years ago, they put the building for sale and Ben pounced on the opportunity immediately.

Unlike a lot of businesses that struggled during the past year or so with the COVID-19 pandemic, gardening centers and nurseries sort of had the opposite effects. Business was booming for people who wanted to learn a new hobby that could fill all the gaps of boredom and having to be home all the time now. Gardening and growing your own things brings a sense of peace and harmony to the mind so it’s a no-brainer, the farm has only been excelling. Ben and Sam recently became certified Connecticut Nurserymen.

The farm sells a full line of plant and horticulture products such as perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, shrubs, and locally grown fruits and vegetables. They will also start to sell pottery and other gift items from local artisans. Everything and anything they sell or have is from Connecticut, even their organic fertilizers. In fact, all their seeds come from Hart Seed Company in Wethersfield. They used to be known for making their own ice cream too, but they don’t intend to keep the ice cream, unfortunately.

But the only reason we have to say goodbye to delicious ice cream is only because their full attention is going to their sky high ambitions to make the business even more wonderful than it already is.

The family is hoping to grow the business with high hopes for agricultural tourism, like pumpkin patches, a maze for kids and lots of fun craft activities. They are hopeful to continue to add new and innovative events as well as be sure to be on the look for all the new and upcoming things going on there. You can get all of their information and direct any specific questions to their very responsive facebook page at Facebook.com/thefarmatcentralvillage.

Brian Barganier is a touring comedian and writer from Salem.