Our Story

 

Our journey into farming didn’t start as a business—it started as something for our family.

We originally got goats so our daughters could do 4-H, but after living at the fair for a week, we realized that wasn’t what we wanted. Around that same time, one of our daughters had eczema, so we started breeding goats to get milk so Jeanette could make soaps and lotions for her. What started as something small and personal quickly grew into something more.

We began bringing our goats into classrooms and hatching chicks with our kids’ classes so children could experience animals in a hands-on way.

Then COVID hit, and everything changed.

People were looking for connection. They wanted something positive. Because our farm was outdoors and small, people started reaching out asking to visit. Jeanette started hosting crafting events because she has always loved to create. Friends began asking if we could do birthday parties. One day Joe took a work call from the pasture while baby goats were running around, and the people on the call lit up watching them.

That was a turning point—we realized how much joy the animals were bringing people.

During COVID, we started doing Zoom calls so people could see the animals. I hosted virtual field trips for kids all over the country, introducing them to our goats, chickens, and bees. During such a dark time, it was incredible to see how much happiness and light these animals brought into people’s lives.

That’s when we knew this was something bigger than us.

In the aftermath of the Oxford tragedy, we were asked to bring our animals to the Legacy Center. It was a heartbreaking time for the community, and being able to offer even a small sense of comfort meant everything to us. The children were drawn to the animals in a way that was quiet and healing. Watching them interact, smile, and begin to process such a devastating event reminded me just how powerful these connections can be. It reinforced our purpose and the role this farm can play in helping people heal.

As more people came, they kept asking for more experiences. At the same time, Jeanette's career in healthcare sales had changed. It no longer felt like I was making a difference—everything had become about contracts and pricing instead of people and quality.

So we made a decision that changed everything.

Joe and Jeanette began searching for land where we could build something meaningful for our family and the community.

We found that place in Elba Township—a small town that felt like home to Jeanette just like where she grew up in Romeo.

For the past two years, our three daughters have worked alongside Joe and myself to build this dream from the ground up. They help make our products, run workshops, and take care of the animals and the land. This farm has become more than a business—it’s a legacy. It’s teaching them responsibility, hard work, and what it means to follow through on something you believe in.

What I love most is sharing the farm with others.

I love creating workshops. I love watching families walk the property, seeing kids interact with the animals, and watching people slow down and enjoy where they are. Our barn is something really special—we kept its history and character so it could be a warm, intimate place for small gatherings.

But what we do goes beyond the farm itself.

My vision is to create a farm and farm market that supports our community—a place where people can slow down, reconnect, and experience the beauty of farm life.

This farm is who we are.

It’s our family, our values, and everything we believe in—hard work, community, kindness, and connection.