From Weeds to Wisdom

Starting over is never easy, but it reminds us that growth is possible—even from the toughest soils.

The Journey

Over the last month, I have shared the messy, beautiful process of reclaiming our land, rebuilding our garden, and finding our footing again. From this journey, the moments that stand out the most are those centered in resiliency and perseverance — the idea that we only get better at what we love by making mistakes. We have learned to stand back up.

The progress we have made hasn’t been easy. Letting the farm go gave us the mental and physical break we needed after constant loss and failure, but it also meant the work would be exponential once we returned. In the last few weeks alone, we have spent nearly eight hours pulling Scotch broom and still aren’t finished. But we push forward anyway.

This process has shaped me into a better farmer. I am learning that while it would be easy to sit back and reflect on all the failures that I have run into on this farm, it doesn’t actually change anything to constantly look backward. You have to do something with that reflection for it to matter. And so, this process has shaped our farm. We are constantly moving toward more efficiency and self-sustainability, and the farm is thriving because of it. We are so determined not to repeat past failures that we are finding incredible success.

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.

Thanks for reading along with us and learning our story. It hasn’t been easy or Pinterest-perfect, but it has been our experience.

The experience of starting over would not have been possible without the support of our family and friends.

Looking Forward

Now that our roots are in the soil again, I am excited to share what’s coming next for our farm.

• We have just started the process of building the infrastructure that will allow us to integrate several new livestock species into our farm this coming summer and fall.

• I am applying for a grant that would greatly help us get the remainder of our farm off the ground.

• We are planting forage crops throughout the pastures to move toward greater self-sufficiency and sustainability.

• The garden is nearly doubling in size.

• The farm will be releasing a new line of 2025 soap and candle scents.

Thanks for following our journey so far. Stay tuned for what’s next.