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Isaiah Davison sells succulents at the Big Rapids farmers market every week. He also works as a firearms instructor in the area.

Isaiah Davison sells succulents at the Big Rapids farmers market every week. He also works as a firearms instructor in the area.

Isaiah Davison sells succulents at the Big Rapids farmers market every week. He also works as a firearms instructor in the area.

Isaiah Davison sells succulents at the Big Rapids farmers market every week. He also works as a firearms instructor in the area.

Isaiah Davison sells succulents at the Big Rapids farmers market every week. He also works as a firearms instructor in the area.

Isaiah Davison sells succulents at the Big Rapids farmers market every week. He also works as a firearms instructor in the area.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first in a series of articles highlighting vendors at local farmers markets. If you are a vendor, or know a vendor, that would like to be featured, contact Brendan Sanders at brendan.sanders@pioneergroup.com)

BIG RAPIDS — Firearms and succulents don’t usually go together, yet Isaiah Davison has been able to fill his passions in both areas. 

Originally from New Jersey, Davison has worked for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and private security for over 15 years. After he moved to West Michigan about seven years ago, he worked at the Yoplait factory in Reed City before branching out and becoming a firearms instructor.

Eventually, Davison became solely a firearms instructor. But, this year, he branched out to a new hobby, selling succulent plants at the Big Rapids Farmers Market. 

Davison explained that his wife has been the main reason for this new path. Saying she was already growing them before he jumped in and began propagating the plants. Soon, they had enough to begin selling them.  

“You're sitting there and you're watching something that literally starts out the size of a pea. I mean, you know, it's just one little thing," he said. "Over months you're taking care of it and feeding it water. And you see it turned into this really cool light green plant that comes over and starts hanging out over the sides. The one I’m thinking of is called the donkey tail.” 

The Davison’s have found early success with the succulents, with the two most asked questions about whether the plants are even real and how to keep them alive. 

“I take that as a compliment, they look good enough where they look like they're plastic instead of real-life plants, and they're thriving and doing very well. I've gotta give a lot of credit to my better half. She wants to make sure everything looks amazing.” Davison said. 

Succulents have been the plant of choice for the Davison, ranging in both size and price. The lowest costing plant is $6, while the most expensive is $45.

According to Davison, they make sure that the plants are well rooted.  

“The No. 1 way to kill a succulent, is to over water. They're used to a dry environment where they come from naturally. So, you water it once every week and a half to two weeks. You want to make sure that you have highly porous soil so that way it doesn't retain a lot of moisture. And the pot has to have drainage; it can't hold any in there.” 

Davison helps promote the health of the plant by selling each succulent in Italian terracotta pots that allow for better transfer of moisture in the soil. Retaining the moisture that it needs while letting go of what it does not. 

“We like terracotta for a couple of reasons. One, it looks really attractive all the time," he said. "The terracotta we use is Italian; it's not Mexican or Chinese cheap stuff that crumbles after a year or two. These actually weather, they patina and get some nice color unique coloration.” 

There is a multitude of different succulent plants that the Davison’s sell, including the Donkey Tail, Rosetta's, Hens and Chicks, Pandas also known as Donkey Ears, Chocolate Soldier and the Trumpet Jade aka Ogre Ear. 

“You watch it grow and become something really pretty, put it with the other plants and become something awesome with the different colors and shades. People really like them, and I enjoy doing it.” Davison said. 

When Isaiah Davison is not selling succulent plants, he is working as a firearms instructor in the Big Rapids area. Operating out of 745 Water Tower Road, Davison has a Class 7 FFL (Federal Firearms License), which allows him to be a gunsmith, gun sales, and even manufacturing.

He currently teaches individuals how to safely use a firearm. This ranges from high level organizations to novices. 

“I do everything, from working with novices, first time shooters, all the way up to working with different agencies, SWAT, I've worked with the DEA, FBI and military. I was a civilian instructor for a while when I was younger. I do work with a lot of different things. But with novices, most often it's getting comfortable and becoming accurate and consistent.” 

Davison also works with churches on security and first aid in the event of an emergency. 

“I work with church security teams, not just active threat response, but also first aid. Natural emergencies like natural events like tornadoes or a fire. How would the church body respond, which is their SOPs (Standard operating procedure)? What would they do with that?" 

Hourly rates for one-on-one instruction are $50. His classes are $115, but if three people or more sign up as a group it is $100. Davison also provides rentals for those who need a gun for the class. Before each class, Davison provides a customer an hour and a half of free lessons to teach them gun safety, gun anatomy, and actual shooting. Making sure the customer is capable of operating a firearm before the class. 

“In my mind, if somebody ever had to use one of my skills that I taught them to protect themselves or those they love or those around them, I kind of keep that as a win in my mind.” Davison said. “I did have a couple of students that have had to use things in the past. It's always been really wonderful to hear them and say, ‘Oh, I'm so glad you got out of that. That's awesome, and I'm so glad everybody's safe.’” 

For more information on Isaiah Davison’s work both with succulents and with firearm safety, email him at HomeOnTheRangeMI@gmail.com or call him at 989-289-4699.