04/14/2026
Today marks 6 years of having a farm, and honestly, it feels a little surreal to say that out loud.
We started in 2020, when the world forced everyone to slow down, but somehow we just sped up toward this life we were building. It all began with 6 chickens that I absolutely loved, and I set out to learn everything I could about them. Then we decided that if you have chickens, you obviously need 2 barn cats. Those 2 barn cats quickly turned into 4. Then, because country life comes with plenty of bugs, we decided we needed guineas too.
A year later, Chris told me we could try goats. This was a pretty big moment because he had always been strictly against goats and thought they were smelly. Funny how things change.
Within a year, we moved, and I truly thought we might have to give up our farm dream in the process and start over. But because of the kindness and love of our previous neighbors, Don and Sabine, our animals had a place to stay while we built our house. That was such a selfless gift, and it is a kindness I will never be able to repay.
Fast forward to today, and somehow this little dream has grown into so much more than I ever imagined. We now have a donkey, a turkey, Karakachans, too many goats, all the chickens, and we have even added bees. Somewhere along the way, I have learned a weird amount about livestock and how to be resourceful in ways I never expected.
This life has not come without heartbreak. We have experienced gut wrenching loss along the way. But we have also lived some of our happiest moments here. This farm has taught us so much about hard work, resilience, joy, and what it means to build a life with your own hands. It is messy and beautiful and exhausting and rewarding all at once, and I would not trade it for anything.
Happy 6 years to my dream, Florence Farms. 💗
