A Discussion with Sandy Slager: Head of Walters Seed Company
Inresponse to inflammatory comments made by CNN anchor Don Lemon regarding women's prime aging past their 50s, Gardenuity has launched the Lemon to Lemonade campaign to celebrate and empower women over 50 who continue to make a significant impact. The campaign intends to prove that age is not a determinant of one's prime, and instead focuses on recognizing exceptional female leaders who are still active and positive contributors to society.
One such trailblazer is Sandy Slager, the CEO of Walters Seed Company, who has recently partnered with Gardenuity. Walters Seed Company, initially started by Slager's father, gained its independence from the nursery business in the 1970s and now specializes in packaging private-label brands. Slager began her career in the restaurant industry before joining her father's business part-time and eventually buying a portion of it to manage.
Throughout her career, Slager has embraced the challenges that come with running a small business, taking on diverse roles ranging from machine repair to financial management. Her industry, typically dominated by men, saw the presence of women, such as her aunt and cousins, who excelled in various agricultural roles.
Despite her success, Slager refuses to accept the notion that women are past their prime. In her view, age and personal contentment should be the only factors defining how a woman feels about herself. Slager's strong faith has provided comfort after losing her husband to cancer. She finds comfort in the Bible's references to sowing, reaping, and growth, especially as her career aligns with agriculture and gardening.
Gardening, without a doubt, offers an affirming experience to individuals at different levels. Through tending to their gardens, people can find a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. The process of growing one's own food is essential in fostering a deeper understanding of the food cycle and the importance of sustainable agriculture.
The Lemon to Lemonade campaign aims to honor and uplift women over 50 who embody the spirit of resilience and positive change. Gardenuity invites submissions of stories about women who are making a difference in their communities, which will be rewarded with "Lemon to Lemonade" gardens.
- Sandy Slager, a trailblazer in the industry and the CEO of Walters Seed Company, rejects the notion that women's prime ends at the age of 50, advocating that personal contentment should be the only deciding factor for a woman's self-perception.
- Slager, who has a background in the restaurant industry and now heads her father's seed company, finds solace in her faith and the agricultural practices that align with her career, namely in the Bible's references to sowing, reaping, and growth.
- Gardening, as a form of health-and-wellness, offers individuals a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, fostering a deeper understanding of the food cycle and the importance of sustainable agriculture.
- The Lemon to Lemonade campaign, initiated by Gardenuity in response to anti-aging comments, aims to uplift and honor women over 50 who embody resilience and positive change in their communities, by offering "Lemon to Lemonade" gardens to those whose inspiring stories are submitted.
