06/29/2026
Good morning!
If time allows today, I’ll be working on getting the farmstand repaired. While it’s down, I thought I’d take a moment to introduce myself since I’m still pretty new to all of this.
My name is Tori, and I grew up in a small rural farming community. I’ve always had animals, spent countless hours outdoors, and some of my favorite childhood memories are helping my mom in the garden and in the kitchen. She still amazes me with her cooking, and I credit her for my love for cooking.
I’ve always dreamed of growing and raising my own food (even though I vividly remember swearing I’d never own a farm because “farmers can never go on vacation!”). Along the way, I’ve realized just how important it is to support local farmers. I like knowing where my food comes from, knowing animals are raised with care, and knowing my dollars are helping local families instead of large corporations.
More than anything, I believe in community. I believe neighbors should support neighbors, and that many of our everyday needs can be met right here in our own community. I also don’t believe buying local should have to cost a fortune.
In 2022, I moved here with the simple dream of owning a little piece of land where I could have a garden, raise a few animals, and build the life I’d always imagined. Like most dreams, though, it hasn’t happened overnight.
The first year I planted a garden, I ended up needing three shoulder surgeries and watched the weeds take over. The second year wasn’t much better. This year, though, everything finally seems to be coming together. My garden is thriving, and it’s been such a joy to share fresh produce with friends and neighbors.
I also hate seeing good food go to waste. Anything we don’t eat fresh gets preserved or fed to the animals. Yesterday’s zucchini has already been shredded and frozen for future zucchini bread. The cucumbers are becoming pickles. Tomatoes have been blanched for sauce, and berries are tucked away in the freezer until it’s time for jam and pies.
My goal is to create a small, self-sustaining ecosystem. Kitchen scraps feed the chickens and pig, who provide eggs and meat. Weeds become goat snacks or compost. That compost goes back into next year’s garden. I swap seeds and produce with friends—zucchini for peppers, herbs for berries—because I think sharing abundance makes everyone’s gardens better.
Honestly, I still have a hard time calling this a farm or even a homestead. To me, it’s simply a way to feed my family, know where our food comes from, reduce waste, and teach my daughter skills that will serve her for the rest of her life.
Sweet P’s is named after my daughter, Paisley. She’s 10 years old, absolutely adores animals (especially cats), and dreams of becoming a veterinarian someday. She’s been taking animal science classes for the last couple of years, and I love watching her passion grow.
I’m also an only parent, homeschool Paisley, work full-time as an instructional designer, and seem to always have a home renovation project going. Between work, homeschooling, the animals, the garden, and keeping up with everything else, life stays pretty busy.
I used to think I wanted a quiet, simple life. The funny thing is, there’s nothing quiet or simple about this one. It’s making sure everyone gets fed, putting up fences, repairing things just in time for something else to break, pulling weeds, preserving food, and ending the day exhausted.
But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Thank you to everyone who has stopped by the stand, shared a kind word, bought a dozen eggs, some fresh produce or a jar of jam, or simply cheered me on. Every bit of support helps make this dream a little more real, and I’m so grateful you’re here to be part of it.
I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.
