Standing at the Edges of the Busy Season
Right now, the farm feels quiet — soap curing, seeds waiting, and the fence stretching out longer than expected. Spring is coming, and with it the hum of work, anticipation, and long days ahead. Standing at the edge of what’s to come, I choose to step forward anyway.
Foundations Are Built In Frost
Winter on a farm is rarely quiet. At Forestside, the pastures, animals, and Hearth & Hollow products are all quietly in motion, even when the paddocks look empty. This season isn’t downtime—it’s the foundation that makes the rest of the year possible.
Seeds, Sheep, and Slow Progress: A Snapshot of Our Farm
Winter is for planning, even when your hands are still covered in flour and feed dust. At Forestside Farm & Garden, we’re taking a look at where we are, what we’re growing, and what’s next—from seed trays and staple crops to sheep, pigs, and small-batch handmade goods. This year isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what fits, and doing it well.
Late-Night Bread: Choosing Care Over Convenience on the Farm
It’s 11 PM, the kitchen smells of flour and yeast, and my hands are sticky. In the quiet hours after my daughter is asleep, I knead bread by hand—a simple act of care that makes every hour worth it.
January Was Quiet, But It Mattered.
The first month of running our farm business was full of small wins, long nights, and winter lessons. January reminded us that growth often happens quietly.
The Farm Doesn’t Ask Her to be Strong
There are two things that bring my daughter immense joy—blueberries and going outside. On our small farm, she learns without being measured, performs without pressure, and belongs simply by being present. This week, I explore motherhood within farm life: the lessons the land teaches quietly, the tension of exhaustion and purpose, and why this life matters, even on the hardest days.
Why We Choose to Farm When the Store is Full
When a friend asked why I choose to farm in a world where anything can be bought instantly, I realized how differently we see food. That moment stayed with me, not as a challenge, but as an invitation to look more closely at what modern convenience asks us to forget.
Winter Break: Farming in Daylight Again
Winter break on the farm means daylight finally aligns with my schedule. As a teacher, most of my farm work happens in the dark, but these few weeks let me work alongside the sun, finish the primary garden, gather the first eggs of the season, and include my toddler in meaningful ways. It’s slow, messy, and sometimes frustrating. It is also deeply satisfying and a reminder that progress doesn’t have to be perfect to feel good.
A Year in Review: How 2025 Reshaped Our Farm
2025 began with overgrown weeds and uncertainty, but it ended with reclaimed gardens, new livestock, and a renewed sense of purpose. This year-in-review reflects on the lessons, setbacks, and small victories that reshaped our farm and our approach to self-sufficiency.
From Weeds to Wisdom
Starting over wasn’t just about clearing weeds. It was about learning patience, discovering new ways to work with the land, and trusting the process. Reclaiming our farm has reminded us that growth doesn’t come from perfection, but from persistence. Even after setbacks, the land continues to respond when we show up, work hard, and keep moving forward. From the toughest soils, something meaningful is taking root again.
The Garden: From Overgrown to Growing Again
Exhausted with a newborn on my hip, I watched our garden disappear beneath weeds. Blackberries towered over ten feet high, deer roamed freely, and every seedling I planted seemed to vanish overnight. Starting over wasn’t just about clearing land—it was about learning patience, embracing mistakes, and finding joy in the small victories. Each day, I discovered that resilience grows like any plant: slowly, persistently, and with unexpected beauty."
Starting Over: Rebuilding the Flocks
Losing my whole flock in 2023 broke more than just our routines—it broke my confidence. After a year away, winter 2024 became the moment I finally stepped back into the farm with new hope, new birds, and a clearer vision for the future. From choosing new bird lines to rebuilding pens and reclaiming joy, this series shares how we’re starting over and growing toward a full, thriving farm once again.
What happened the First Time Around - How Failures Lead to Lessons
Four years ago, I started farming with absolutely no experience—and plenty of mistakes. Looking back, those failures became some of my most important lessons. Here’s what the first year taught me.
Winter at Forestside Farm: Quiet Woods, Big Plans
Winter at Forestside Farm brings cold mornings, busy projects, and the first signs of next season’s growth. From overwintering garlic to preparing heritage meat chickens and expanding our farm infrastructure, here’s a look at what winter farming really means in the PNW.
Starting Over Again
We started our farm in 2021 with no experience, a patch of rough land, and a dream that felt bigger than us. Four years, countless weeds, and a few heartbreaks later, I’m learning that starting over isn’t failure—it’s growth.