Our Story
Just like many in our community, we’re trying out these new experiences for the first time. Whether it’s navigating our first goat kidding season, exploring new projects around the property, or simply adapting to the daily rhythm of self-sufficiency. We’re taking it one step at a time, appreciating that you don’t need to be an expert to begin.
​​We started as high school sweethearts and got married at eighteen, just a few weeks before my husband left for basic training. That brave first step set us on a wonderful adventure. For more than two decades, the Army provided us the unique opportunity to explore the world, living in five different countries while representing the United States.
Experiencing a variety of cultures has given us invaluable insights, enriching our understanding of America—and the world—more than any classroom ever could. Most importantly, we carry that same open-minded perspective into our life on the homestead, eagerly trying new things and welcoming the challenges of learning as we go.
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In 2015, we decided to settle in Tennessee while my husband finished his last military tour in the nation’s capital. He returned home at the end of 2017, and after dedicating another 8 years to civilian work, we reached an exciting milestone: we finally had the means to focus on what truly matters to us in this season of our lives.
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This new chapter also marked our transition into becoming empty-nesters. In 2023, our daughter graduated from college with her bachelor's degree in Nursing. We were even prouder when she had the courage to embark on her own adventure to fulfill her dream of moving near the ocean to settle down in Charleston, South Carolina.
These days, we’re continuing to lovingly transform our three-acre property into a lively homestead. In 2023, we built a barn and turned our back 1.5 acres into a fenced pasture. We’re embracing the rewarding journey toward self-sufficiency and cherishing the simple, grounded life we’re literally cultivating together.
Current Self-Sufficiency Projects
Farm-Fresh Eggs
Established 2023
In 2023, we welcomed a lively flock of over a dozen free-range hens to the homestead. They happily forage our pastures and provide our family with delicious, farm-fresh eggs every single day.
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Raised Garden Beds
Established 2024
To grow more of our own food, we built 72 linear feet of raised garden beds in 2024. At four feet wide, these beds give us 288 square feet of rich growing space for our seasonal vegetables. We have another bed dedicated for herbs.
Wildflowers & Honeybees
Established 2024
We are passionate about supporting local pollinators! We dedicated a 1/4 acre to cultivating vibrant native wildflowers and established our very first beehive, with the sweet goal of producing our own homestead honey.
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The Orchard
Established 2024
We are slowly expanding our homegrown fruit supply. We’ve added a unique 5-in-1 apple tree and a multi-grafted "cocktail" fruit tree to join our established lemon, lime, and avocado trees.
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Berry Patches
Established 2025
We love fresh berries! We have planted 12 blueberry bushes, established 64 feet of thornless, primocane-fruiting blackberries and raspberries, and dedicated another 16 feet strictly for growing sweet strawberries.
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Composting
Established 2023
To truly embrace self-sufficiency and reduce our waste, we started composting. We are using our kitchen scraps, garden clippings, and barn bedding to create our own nutrient-rich soil to organically feed our plants.
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