02/21/2026
We’ve had several new followers over the past few weeks, so we just wanted to take a moment to share our story again for those who may be wondering the “why” behind Bodeen’s Backyard Barn — we’re so happy you’re here!!! 🤍
Our Story 🤍
If you knew our father, Jeff Stevens, you also probably knew him as “Bodeen” or quite possibly as the “potato chip man”. Our father was a man who loved to laugh, he knew how to have a good time, and was game for anything. If you wanted to hop in the truck to head hours away to pick up some goats, he was ready! If you wanted to spend your whole weekend at an animal auction - sounded like a great time to him! Honestly, he did whatever us girls wanted to do because that’s the kind of father he was. Our dad started this backyard farm in approximately 2004, and here we are 21 years later continuing what he started. He truly birthed a love in us for this lifestyle and we are so thankful he did. Unfortunately, we tragically lost him in 2008 and neither one of us could imagine how it would be possible to live a life without him in it. Grief never subsides, you just learn to pick up the broken pieces and keep moving forward, day by day. Thankfully our grandma and grandpa quickly stepped up to the plate and continued this backyard farm for us.
Our mamaw, Sharon Stevens, was a lover of chickens and we also quickly became a lover of chickens because of the famous backyard breakfast sandwiches she’d make us each morning. We were so blessed to have many years soaking up the best memories of our family here in our own small backyard farm in Southeast, MO. However, our mamaw tragically passed away in a car accident in 2018 which left us all feeling very hopeless. She not only was the glue to our family, but the backbone to our farm.
So here we are - Two sisters carrying on this lifestyle in hopes to convey to you that you also can find happiness in the most simple things life has to offer. We both truly love the farm life and have honestly found the peace in the simplicity of life.
We are Kristin and Ashlyn. We have husbands who have been recruited to learn the ropes of what we do and have become professionals at our DIY projects. Combined we have 7 kids and then add a few dogs to that plus our farm, it keeps us running. Our hope is you and your family can enjoy seeing our animals, creating your own famous breakfast sandwiches out of our fresh eggs, or even be inspired to have this in your own backyard. We are so excited to share this part of our life with you, and take you along for the journey as we share this same experience with our children. Our hearts hurt that our father and mamaw can’t be apart of this experience, so we have chosen to name our farm “Bodeen’s Backyard Barn” to honor them.
If you have made it through this entire post, leave us a memory you have of our father or mamaw in the comments - we would love to read them!! Thanks for being here 🫶🏻
