Risse Greenhouse was started by Lee and Greta Risse as a family homestead in 1954, they built it into a thriving business, selling wholesale, retail and to anyone “who was willing to drive out to the farm.”
After they passed on, their son, Glen, and his wife Crystal took over the family business.
They have been actively pursuing the dream since 2013- they took the business from wholesale to retail, added a Garden Center and keep striving to make it the best it can be.
According to them, “Our goals are simple: To provide the best quality plants and soil, at a fair price, to teach children and families how to grow their own food, and through teaching and mentoring-to support feeding and caring for our community”.
Glen and Crystal, along with their crew at Risse Greenhouse, now operate 18 commercial-sized greenhouses with 40,000 square feet of indoor growing space that supports over 600 varieties of plants and a full-service retail garden center; they even maintain production of “Triple R Brand” potting soil as Lee and Greta originally intended. They also sell produce and flowers baskets from their garden at the Tanana Valley Farmer’s Market every week.
Glen and Crystal are passionate about what they do, They are both VERY hardworking, putting the greenhouse work, and it is a lot of work, ahead of everything else. They say, “It has been a long, happy journey to this outcome; the culmination of many years of hard work, education, and the realization of hopes and dreams,” reflect both Risses. “It is our hope to continue the traditions set by Lee and Greta, of offering the best quality, at a fair price. We are committed to educating, teaching and learning. Families are our focus, children are our passion.”
At Risse Greenhouse, they understand that food and flowers feed the body and the soul. Whether it’s designing and planting a flower basket to brighten a local business, shipping hard-to-access supplies to remote locations to help with food sustainability, or teaching children the joy of nature, they engage in all. And with passion and care.
They have also built a community with the other greenhouse growers in the area, they share ideas, resources and buy items, whether flowers, pots, soil etc. from each other. Glen is very complimentary of all greenhouse owners and admires their hard work. That sense of community started with his father Lee, who not only learnt from other greenhouse owners, 65 years ago, but also sold some of his produce to others.
Its a great story. Inspiring, and speaks of tenacity, perseverance and hard work to work a business they are passionate about.
Take a listen. Also, visit rissegreenhouse.com to learn more.