Where Brian & Vickie Started Before Farming

At just 19 years old, Brian was stationed in Japan, while Vickie, at 24, was stationed in Germany. Stepping onto foreign soil alone, without anyone familiar to guide us, was terrifying. But those experiences shaped us in ways we never expected. 

We learned to embrace the unknown, gained the confidence to take on challenges beyond our comfort zones, and discovered firsthand that community and support make all the difference. To this day, many of the friendships we built in the military remain some of our strongest.

Leaving that close-knit community behind when we transitioned to civilian life was difficult. We deeply missed the sense of connection and purpose we had with those around us. As we settled into our careers and blended our families, there was still a void—something that traditional jobs couldn’t completely fill.

That said, our careers were fulfilling in their own ways. Brian dedicated nearly 25 years to HVAC, and Vickie spent almost 30 years in Cybersecurity. But the pull toward something more—something that rekindled that sense of belonging—never really faded.

The decision to pursue first-generation farming

The farm quickly filled that void, surpassing our expectations in every way. We feel overjoyed that it has not only brought our family closer together but also integrated us into the kind of community we had long searched for.

When we moved to Hansel Drive, we planted a few rows of grapevines in our open front yard and often sat outside, dreaming of making our own wine.

Three months later, COVID shut down the world. Stuck at home around the clock, we needed something to occupy our anxious minds. We turned our focus to the grapes, and before long, that passion grew into a desire to cultivate more. With plenty of space, we saw an opportunity—not just to farm, but to create a gathering place where friends and family could safely come together during quarantine.

What started as a small group of friends trying to stay connected soon became a true farming community. As we kept learning and expanding our homestead, we realized we didn’t want to stop there. We wanted to share what we had built, inspire others, and help them establish something similar for themselves.

Building our micro farm from scratch

Few first-generation farmers exist in today’s modern world. Most farms rely on generational knowledge, inherited land, and passed-down equipment to stay strong and productive.

We had none of that. No equipment. No experience. But we knew that by starting small and mastering one skill at a time, we could eventually learn everything we needed.

It wasn’t easy. We failed—again and again—until we finally got it right. And when we did, it felt incredible. Take our greenhouse, for example—it took four attempts before we built one that lasted.

Beyond learning through trial and error, we also faced challenges that many farmers might never encounter in a lifetime. A rare double brood of locusts devastated our tiny fruit trees, and the following year, two massive floods wiped out parts of our orchard.

Despite these setbacks, we refused to quit. Over time, we learned, adapted, and failed less often.

Farming has rewarded us in ways we never expected. Growing something from nothing is empowering—starting with a single seed and turning it into food brings a sense of fulfillment that’s hard to put into words. We realized our micro-farming wasn’t going to only be a hobby. Our micro-farm was life-changing.