This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links, with NO additional cost to you.
Let's be real. When I first thought about growing my own food, I pictured my grandma’s massive garden. The idea of starting a garden that large felt like just another impossible task on an already impossible list.
But here's the truth I've learned: Self-sufficiency doesn't happen overnight. It starts with one seed, one small plot, and one tiny victory. I did start that garden, but it was small and manageable.
Growing your own food isn't about creating a Pinterest-perfect garden. It's about taking back a little control in a world that often feels chaotic. It's about knowing exactly where your food comes from. It's about reducing your grocery bill, even if it's just a few dollars each week.
Start small. Really small.
Maybe that's a few herb pots on your kitchen windowsill. Perhaps it's three tomato plants in containers on your back porch. You don't need acres of land or hours of free time. You just need a tiny bit of hope and a willingness to try.
The benefits go beyond just food:
- You'll save money on groceries
- You'll know exactly what's in your food
- Your kids can learn about where food comes from
- It's a stress-relieving activity that connects you to the earth
- You'll feel a sense of accomplishment with each harvest
Pro tip for the overwhelmed farm wife: You don't have to be perfect. Some plants will die. Some seeds won't sprout. And that's okay. Gardening is about learning, not achieving some impossible standard of agricultural excellence.
Want to make this journey a little easier? I've created a simple planting log to help you track your garden's progress, celebrate your wins, and learn from your experiences.
You can grab that for free here.
Remember, self-sufficiency isn't about doing everything at once. It's about doing something. One seed. One plant. One small step at a time.
You've got this, farm wife. Your garden—and your journey—starts now.
As I've grown as an entrepreneur, mom, gardener, and livestock owner, I struggled to find a planner that met my needs and kept me organized. So, I MADE MY OWN. You can look at it on the link below and buy it on Amazon.
Don't want the whole calendar part? I got you! I pulled the gardening and animal care pages out and put them in a book all their own.
Wanting a community to lean into? Join the FREE Thriving Through Farm Life: Wife’s Support Network! In our community, we embrace the challenges of farm life and provide a supportive space for wives facing the complexities of managing a family farm. Whether you're navigating financial pressures, day-to-day operations, or seeking ways to create a thriving home, we're here for you. Explore garden and preservation tips for cultivating your oasis, share insights on animal care, and discover practical family budgeting strategies. Together, let's grow through challenges, flourish authentically, and sow the seeds for a resilient and thriving farm life. Join us on this journey of resilience and abundance!
Starting a garden doesn't have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I've learned over my gardening seasons and made them into a simple course to jump-start your gardening life.
I've had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned how to care for my body naturally preventing common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will give you the tools you need to have a natural healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal western medicine pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma
practical family budgeting strategies. Together, let's grow through challenges, flourish authentically, and sow the seeds for a resilient and thriving farm life. Join us on this journey of resilience and abundance!
Starting a garden doesn't have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I've learned over my gardening seasons and made them into a simple course to jump-start your gardening life.
I've had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned how to care for my body naturally preventing common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will give you the tools you need to have a natural healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal western medicine pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links, with NO additional cost to you.
Some days, the weight of running a farm feels like trying to carry the entire harvest on my shoulders alone. The morning starts before the sun, with a to-do list that seems to multiply faster than our livestock, and a bank statement that makes my heart sink lower than the lowest fence post.
I look at my husband, and I see the same exhaustion mirrored in his eyes. We're not just farming land—we're fighting for our family's legacy, our home, our very way of life. Every decision feels like it could be the one that makes or breaks everything we've inherited, everything we're trying to build.
Grocery shopping has become a strategic mission. Do I choose apples or oranges this month? Which nutrients can I stretch the furthest for our children? The simple act of feeding my family has become a complex calculation of cost, nutrition, and hope. Some days, I stand in the produce aisle with tears threatening to spill, feeling the crushing weight of financial uncertainty.
But here's what I want every farm wife to know: You are not alone.
The stress isn't just about money. It's about the constant uncertainty. It's about watching weather reports like they're life-and-death prophecies. It's about trying to be strong for everyone—your husband, your children, your farm—when sometimes you just want to crumble.
I'm learning that resilience isn't about never feeling overwhelmed. It's about feeling overwhelmed and still getting up the next morning. It's about finding small moments of joy—a child's laugh, a successful crop, a moment of peace between the chaos.
My faith keeps me anchored. When everything feels like it's spinning out of control, I remember that I'm not truly in control anyway. There's something bigger guiding us, supporting us through these challenging seasons.
To the farm wife reading this, feeling buried under debt, stress, and endless responsibilities: I see you. Your work matters. Your struggle is real, but so is your strength. We are more than our financial statements. We are caretakers of land, family, and legacy.
Some days, thriving looks like simply surviving. And that's okay.
Today, I choose hope. I choose to believe that this season—tough as it is—is preparing us for something beautiful. Our farm is more than a business. It's our home, our ministry, our calling.
We're in this together. One day, one harvest, one prayer at a time. If you want a community to lean into, join the Farm Wife’s Support Network on Facebook.
As I've grown as an entrepreneur, mom, gardener, and livestock owner, I struggled to find a planner that met my needs and kept me organized. So, I MADE MY OWN. You can look at it on the link below and buy it on Amazon.
Don't want the whole calendar part? I got you! I pulled the gardening and animal care pages out and put them in a book all their own.
Wanting a community to lean into? Join the FREE Thriving Through Farm Life: Wife’s Support Network! In our community, we embrace the challenges of farm life and provide a supportive space for wives facing the complexities of managing a family farm. Whether you're navigating financial pressures, day-to-day operations, or seeking ways to create a thriving home, we're here for you. Explore garden and preservation tips for cultivating your oasis, share insights on animal care, and discover practical family budgeting strategies. Together, let's grow through challenges, flourish authentically, and sow the seeds for a resilient and thriving farm life. Join us on this journey of resilience and abundance!
Starting a garden doesn't have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I've learned over my gardening seasons and made them into a simple course to jump-start your gardening life.
I've had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned how to care for my body naturally preventing common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will give you the tools you need to have a natural healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal western medicine pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma
practical family budgeting strategies. Together, let's grow through challenges, flourish authentically, and sow the seeds for a resilient and thriving farm life. Join us on this journey of resilience and abundance!
Starting a garden doesn't have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I've learned over my gardening seasons and made them into a simple course to jump-start your gardening life.
I've had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned how to care for my body naturally preventing common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will give you the tools you need to have a natural healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal western medicine pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links, with NO additional cost to you.
As a farm wife juggling so many responsibilities, I know your time and energy are precious. But February is the perfect month to lay the groundwork for a successful home garden that can help stretch your grocery budget. Here are some manageable steps you can take, even with your busy schedule:
Indoor Planning & Starting
Keep it simple - grab a notebook during your morning coffee or evening quiet time to:
- Write down your family's most-used vegetables and fruits. Focus on what your children actually eat and what's expensive at the store. This helps avoid wasting precious time and resources on crops that won't serve your family.
- Check your seed inventory from last year before buying anything new. In tough financial times, we need to use what we have first. Those slightly older seeds will likely still germinate just fine.
Easy Indoor Seed Starting
If you have a sunny window or simple shop light:
- Start onions and leeks now - they need the longest growing time and can save significant grocery money.
- Begin cold-hardy herbs like parsley and thyme.
- Hold off on tomatoes and peppers until March - starting too early leads to leggy plants.
Outdoor Preparations
On warmer February days when you have 15-30 minutes:
- Walk your garden space and plan where things will go. Consider what failed or thrived last year.
- Start collecting cardboard from farm deliveries to lay down for weed suppression. This is especially good for new garden areas.
- Build new garden areas and lay compost.
Budget-Friendly Tips
- Save egg cartons and yogurt containers for seed-starting.
- Use old feed bags or tarps for garden cover, or seed barrier instead of buying new.
- Connect with other farmwives to share seeds and supplies.
- Start small - a few well-tended beds are better than an overwhelming large garden.
Looking Ahead
- Create a simple schedule for March planting.
- Plan your garden close to your house - busy moms need convenience.
- Consider involving your children in seed starting as part of their learning. For older kids, you can give them their own space to tend.
Remember, growing even a portion of your own food is a victory. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good enough. Start with what you can manage, and know that every small step toward self-sufficiency helps your family's food security.
For all the details on planting schedules and low-maintenance garden designs that work around farm life, check out my Gardening Basics Course.
As I've grown as an entrepreneur, mom, gardener, and livestock owner, I struggled to find a planner that met my needs and kept me organized. So, I MADE MY OWN. You can look at it on the link below and buy it on Amazon.
Don't want the whole calendar part? I got you! I pulled the gardening and animal care pages out and put them in a book all their own.
Wanting a community to lean into? Join the FREE Thriving Through Farm Life: Wife’s Support Network! In our community, we embrace the challenges of farm life and provide a supportive space for wives facing the complexities of managing a family farm. Whether you're navigating financial pressures, day-to-day operations, or seeking ways to create a thriving home, we're here for you. Explore garden and preservation tips for cultivating your oasis, share insights on animal care, and discover practical family budgeting strategies. Together, let's grow through challenges, flourish authentically, and sow the seeds for a resilient and thriving farm life. Join us on this journey of resilience and abundance!
Starting a garden doesn't have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I've learned over my gardening seasons and made them into a simple course to jump-start your gardening life.
I've had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned how to care for my body naturally preventing common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will give you the tools you need to have a natural healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal western medicine pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma
practical family budgeting strategies. Together, let's grow through challenges, flourish authentically, and sow the seeds for a resilient and thriving farm life. Join us on this journey of resilience and abundance!
Starting a garden doesn't have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I've learned over my gardening seasons and made them into a simple course to jump-start your gardening life.
I've had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned how to care for my body naturally preventing common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will give you the tools you need to have a natural healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal western medicine pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links, with NO additional cost to you.
As a farm mom, you're not just raising children and supporting the family business – you're a cornerstone of your operation's success. Here are three essential strategies focusing on why prioritizing your health isn't selfish, it's necessary for your farm's sustainability.
Start with Non-Negotiable Self-Care Time
Think of your body like your most reliable piece of farm equipment – it needs regular maintenance to prevent breakdowns. Just as you wouldn't skip oil changes on your tractor, you can't skip basic self-care.
Schedule at least 30 minutes daily for your health, whether it's a brisk walk around the property, stretching in the morning, or reading a book. Make time for yourself, this gives you a mental break to keep tackling the day's challenges. When you’re healthy, you're better equipped to handle everything from lifting hay bales to chasing toddlers. Remember: a broken-down tractor can be replaced, but you cannot.
Create a Support Network
Every successful farm has a network of reliable people to call during harvest or emergencies. Your personal health needs the same support system. Connect with other farm moms who understand your unique challenges. They can provide not just emotional support, but practical help like sharing healthy meal ideas that work with harvest schedules or watching each other's kids so you can attend a doctor's appointment. Your mental health directly impacts your physical well-being, and isolation can lead to both physical and emotional exhaustion.
Establish Morning Health Rituals
The early morning hours before the farm wakes up are golden opportunities for self-care. Use this time to fuel your body properly with a nutritious breakfast, hydrate well, and perhaps do some gentle stretching. This isn't just about feeling good – it's about preventing injury and maintaining the stamina needed for long days. When you start your day by taking care of yourself, you're better positioned to handle whatever challenges arise, from broken equipment to sick animals to family emergencies.
Remember, your health isn't a luxury – it's a critical farm asset. Just as you wouldn't run equipment on empty or expect livestock to thrive without proper care, you can't sustainably run your farm life on an empty tank. When you're healthy and strong, you're more efficient, more present for your family, and better able to handle the physical and mental demands of farm life. Your children are also watching and learning from your example about the importance of self-care and maintaining health for long-term success in agriculture.
Investing in your health today isn't just about feeling better – it's about ensuring you can continue being there for your family and farm for years to come. After all, the most important inheritance you can leave your children isn't just the farm itself, but the knowledge of how to sustain themselves while running it.
As I've grown as an entrepreneur, mom, gardener, and livestock owner, I struggled to find a planner that met my needs and kept me organized. So, I MADE MY OWN. You can look at it on the link below and buy it on Amazon.
Don't want the whole calendar part? I got you! I pulled the gardening and animal care pages out and put them in a book all their own.
Wanting a community to lean into? Join the FREE Thriving Through Farm Life: Wife’s Support Network! In our community, we embrace the challenges of farm life and provide a supportive space for wives facing the complexities of managing a family farm. Whether you're navigating financial pressures, day-to-day operations, or seeking ways to create a thriving home, we're here for you. Explore
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links, with NO additional cost to you.
I remember the pride and excitement when Jeremy and I first took over his family's farm. What I didn't know then – what I wish someone had told me – was that love for farming isn't enough. Four years after taking over, we lost everything to a perfect storm of high debt, storms, and equipment failures. We had no reserves, no clear understanding of our costs, and no real business plan.
Today, I help young farm families avoid our mistakes by conducting thorough business analysis before taking over. Here's why each part matters:
Financial Health Analysis
You need to know more than just the total income. Examine each enterprise separately – your custom haying operation might be masking losses in your grain business, or vice versa.
Understanding profitability by enterprise lets you make informed decisions about where to invest your limited resources. Don’t be afraid to cut an enterprise that is draining your resources.
Working Capital Needs
Farming isn't just about annual profits. You need significant cash reserves to handle unexpected equipment repairs, take advantage of input sales, or survive when Mother Nature doesn't cooperate. Without understanding your true working capital needs, you're one bad season away from disaster.
Equipment Evaluation
That "still good" combine might run, but what's the true cost of maintaining it? Sometimes taking on payments for new equipment actually costs less than constant repairs. A proper analysis helps you plan equipment replacements before they become emergencies.
Written Agreements
Those handshake deals with neighbors might have worked for the previous generation, but they leave you vulnerable. Proper lease agreements, clear partnership terms, and written contracts protect everyone and help you plan accurately.
Marketing Strategy
"Sell when we need money" isn't a strategy – it's a recipe for selling at the wrong time. Understanding your break-even costs and having a proper marketing plan can mean the difference between profit and loss in volatile markets.
Remember, asking for this analysis isn't about distrusting the older generation. It's about protecting the legacy they built. Don't let romance cloud your business judgment like I did.
With hope for your success,
Cassandra
P.S. If you ever need someone to talk to who's been there, my inbox is always open.
As I've grown as an entrepreneur, mom, gardener, and livestock owner, I struggled to find a planner that met my needs and kept me organized. So, I MADE MY OWN. You can look at it on the link below and buy it on Amazon.
Don't want the whole calendar part? I got you! I pulled the gardening and animal care pages out and put them in a book all their own.
Wanting a community to lean into? Join the FREE Thriving Through Farm Life: Wife’s Support Network! In our community, we embrace the challenges of farm life and provide a supportive space for wives facing the complexities of managing a family farm. Whether you're navigating financial pressures, day-to-day operations, or seeking ways to create a thriving home, we're here for you. Explore garden and preservation tips for cultivating your oasis, share insights on animal care, and discover practical family budgeting strategies. Together, let's grow through challenges, flourish authentically, and sow the seeds for a resilient and thriving farm life. Join us on this journey of resilience and abundance!
Starting a garden doesn't have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I've learned over my gardening seasons and made them into a simple course to jump-start your gardening life.
I've had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned how to care for my body naturally preventing common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will give you the tools you need to have a natural healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal western medicine pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links, with NO additional cost to you.
Farm life moves in seasons, each bringing its own rhythm of challenges and blessings. While others mark their calendars by holidays and vacations, we measure time by calving seasons, planting dates, and harvest windows. It's a different way of life, but one filled with profound meaning when we learn to embrace its natural flow.
Spring arrives with muddy boots and early mornings, the air filled with promise as we help bring new life into the world. Our kitchen windows steam up from endless pots of coffee brewed for our hardworking spouses, while seedlings line every windowsill. It's exhausting but exhilarating to be part of nature's awakening.
Summer stretches before us with long, sun-drenched days. While others plan beach trips, we're orchestrating meals to the fields, tending gardens, and preserving the bounty for winter. But there's magic in those evening moments – watching the sunset paint the sky while the day's work winds down, feeling the satisfaction of another day well-lived.
Fall brings harvest season, when time seems to speed up and slow down all at once. The pressure is intense, but there's beauty in watching the combines move across golden fields, knowing that all the year's hard work is coming to fruition. This is when our strength really shines – in our ability to keep everything and everyone moving forward.
Winter offers a different pace, though farm life never truly stops. It's time for planning, maintenance, and catching up on all those indoor projects we've set aside. These quieter days give us space to reflect and prepare for the cycle to begin again.
Here's what I've learned: each season has its purpose. The busy times teach us resilience, while the slower periods allow us to recharge. I used to try and run at full speed all year long, and I found out it’s not sustainable. It is a good way to burn yourself out.
Find your own traditions and pace within each season – maybe it's having the first cup of coffee on the porch in spring, or always making your grandmother's pickle recipe in summer. These small rituals become anchors in the constantly changing flow of farm life.
Remember, you're not alone. Generations of farm wives before us have watched these same seasons pass and found their own ways to thrive. We're part of a proud tradition of women who understand that farming isn't just a job – it's a way of life.
As I've grown as an entrepreneur, mom, gardener, and livestock owner, I struggled to find a planner that met my needs and kept me organized. So, I MADE MY OWN. You can look at it on the link below and buy it on Amazon.
Don't want the whole calendar part? I got you! I pulled the gardening and animal care pages out and put them in a book all their own.
Wanting a community to lean into? Join the FREE Thriving Through Farm Life: Wife’s Support Network! In our community, we embrace the challenges of farm life and provide a supportive space for wives facing the complexities of managing a family farm. Whether you're navigating financial pressures, day-to-day operations, or seeking ways to create a thriving home, we're here for you. Explore garden and preservation tips for cultivating your oasis, share insights on animal care, and discover practical family budgeting strategies. Together, let's grow through challenges, flourish authentically, and sow the seeds for a resilient and thriving farm life. Join us on this journey of resilience and abundance!
Starting a garden doesn't have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I've learned over my gardening seasons and made them into a simple course to jump-start your gardening life.
I've had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned how to care for my body naturally preventing common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will give you the tools you need to have a natural healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal western medicine pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links, with NO additional cost to you.
Getting Your Garden Ready: A January Planning Guide for Zone 5
While winter blankets our zone 5 gardens in cold and snow, January offers the perfect opportunity to prepare for a bountiful growing season. Here's how to use these indoor days to set yourself up for garden success.
Plan Your Garden Space
Start by sketching out your garden plan. Review last year's garden journal notes, if you kept them, and plan crop rotations. Create a layout of your garden beds, noting which vegetables will go where. Consider companion planting relationships and succession planting opportunities to maximize your harvest.
Seed Organization and Orders
Take stock of your saved seeds and organize them by planting date. Check germination dates and create a list of seeds to order. January is the perfect time to browse seed catalogs and place orders before popular varieties sell out. Don't forget to plan for your indoor seed-starting schedule.
Indoor Growing Setup
Prepare your seed-starting area now. Clean your seed trays, check grow lights, and stock up on seed-starting mix and containers. Create a schedule for starting seeds indoors – tomatoes, peppers, and other long-season vegetables will need to be started in late winter for spring transplanting.
Tool Organization and Maintenance
Use this time to clean, sharpen, and oil your garden tools. Organize your potting bench or garden shed. Create a designated spot for frequently used items like pruning shears, trowels, and garden gloves. Make a list of any tools that need replacement before spring.
Garden Record System
Set up a simple system to track your garden's progress. Either create or buy a garden planner with a planting calendar that includes indoor seed starting dates, transplant dates, and direct sowing schedules. Consider starting a garden journal to record frost dates, successful varieties, and lessons learned. Having all your garden notes, plans, and schedules in a single, dedicated planner makes it easier to refer to previous successes and learn from past experiences. You can grab my favorite on Amazon here.
The key to a successful garden often lies in thoughtful winter planning. While you can't control the weather, you can control how prepared you are when the soil warms. Focus your energy now on creating systems that will support your gardening journey through the growing season ahead.
Remember, the goal isn't to create the perfect garden but to be organized enough to enjoy the process. Start with the preparations that will make the biggest difference in your garden, and take joy in planning for the growing season to come.
As I've grown as an entrepreneur, mom, gardener, and livestock owner, I struggled to find a planner that met my needs and kept me organized. So, I MADE MY OWN. You can look at it on the link below and buy it on Amazon.
Don't want the whole calendar part? I got you! I pulled the gardening and animal care pages out and put them in a book all their own.
Wanting a community to lean into? Join the FREE Thriving Through Farm Life: Wife’s Support Network! In our community, we embrace the challenges of farm life and provide a supportive space for wives facing the complexities of managing a family farm. Whether you're navigating financial pressures, day-to-day operations, or seeking ways to create a thriving home, we're here for you. Explore garden and preservation tips for cultivating your oasis, share insights on animal care, and discover practical family budgeting strategies. Together, let's grow through challenges, flourish authentically, and sow the seeds for a resilient and thriving farm life. Join us on this journey of resilience and abundance!
Starting a garden doesn't have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I've learned over my gardening seasons and made them into a simple course to jump-start your gardening life.
I've had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned how to care for my body naturally preventing common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will give you the tools you need to have a natural healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal western medicine pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links, with NO additional cost to you.
Farming is not just a job; it's an identity, a legacy, and often, a way of life that stretches over generations. But what happens when the weight of debt forces a family farm to face liquidation? For my husband and me, 2024 was the year we tackled this heart-wrenching challenge head-on. It was a year filled with pain, growth, and lessons we never imagined we'd have to learn. I want to share this personal story with you, along with some key insights that might help if you're navigating similar struggles.
Liquidating a Four-Generation Farm
The year began with a decision no farmer wants to make— to liquidate my husband’s four-generation family farm. Watching the equipment, once symbols of hard work and tradition, being cleaned for the last time and lined up for auction was gut-wrenching. Failure hung heavy in the air, and with it, the weight of letting down the generations before us.
During this process, we also sold the remaining beef cows, holding on only to our family milk cow and her calf. When the final trailer pulled out of the yard, I broke. Those cows symbolized hopes and dreams that were now replaced by piles of debt we had to figure out how to pay off.
The liquidation process wasn’t quick—it was a grueling, emotionally draining road. And it led us to enter farm bankruptcy to settle the remaining debt. Working with auction companies, bankers, and attorneys was a roller coaster of delays, miscommunication, and stress, but each step taught us valuable lessons.
5 Hard Lessons From Liquidating a Farm
Whether you're facing farm liquidation, transitioning in your farming venture, or simply in the trenches of running your agricultural business, these lessons might resonate with you and offer some guidance.
1. Everything Will Take Longer Than You Expect
Liquidation is not a quick process. Initial timelines often turn out to be overly optimistic. If you think it will take a few months, it will likely take double—or even quadruple—that time, especially if attorneys get involved. Prepare for the long haul and give yourself grace during the process.
2. Over-Communicate Every Step of the Way
Communication is key. Stay connected with everyone involved—auction companies, bankers, attorneys—and follow up frequently. If someone isn’t delivering as expected, don’t hesitate to reach out. We eventually hired a second auction company after realizing the first wasn’t moving the sales forward. Your farm depends on your ability to push conversations forward.
3. Start Small and Focused
You can’t launch multiple ventures at once and expect them all to succeed—this was a hard-learned truth for us. The ambition of managing several operations was overwhelming and, ultimately, what caused both to fail. Pick one business focus, ensure it becomes stable and profitable, and then move on to the next goal when you’re ready.
4. Fully Close One Chapter Before Fully Launching Another
Splitting focus between liquidating and launching something new is incredibly draining. Your time and energy are finite, and closure becomes critical. Wrap up the previous chapter completely; only then can you dedicate your best to building something new.
5. Step Away to Reflect and Plan
Sometimes you can’t think clearly in the middle of the chaos. Take a step back to reassess what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to change. Setting aside time to plan intentionally can give you the clarity and confidence to move forward with purpose. If we had taken the time to do this in the beginning, our story would have looked much different.
Navigating the Loss of Farming Identity
Stepping away from farming wasn’t just a career shift for us—it felt like a loss of identity. Farming was in our blood, our conversations, and our daily lives. Without it, I started to wonder—who am I now?
For a while, I struggled to find a label. I was still raising food for my family, but no longer on a large scale. Did that make me a homesteader? Was I a farmer without a farm?
Eventually, I came across a definition that brought clarity and peace to my mind:
- A homesteader grows food for their own family.
- A farmer grows food for others.
Simple. No size requirements. Just purpose. And I realized—I can be both. I grow for my family now, and one day, I hope to grow for others again. Stepping out of farming is not giving up; it’s taking a break, realigning goals, and refocusing our “why.”
Holding Onto Hope amid Change
Liquidating a farm is deeply painful, and it might feel like the end of everything you've built and dreamed of. But I want you to know—it’s not the end. It’s a season, and seasons, as farmers know, always change.
This year taught me that the land might stop producing for a while, but we don’t have to. Farming is about resilience, adaptability, and hope. Even as we face debt and doubts, we also see potential.
To my fellow agricultural entrepreneurs, farm wives, and those fighting to save their legacies—you’re not alone. Whether you're downsizing, pivoting, or rebuilding, there is still growth ahead. And I hope some part of our story helps you in whatever season you’re in.
We’ll be back in the farming world someday. Until then, I’m focusing on what we can do—raising my family, tending to what’s in front of me, and preparing for what’s next.
If you're navigating farming challenges, remember there's strength in your story—just as there is in ours. Let's continue to cultivate hope and persevere together.
As I've grown as an entrepreneur, mom, gardener, and livestock owner, I struggled to find a planner that met my needs and kept me organized. So, I MADE MY OWN. You can look inside with the link below and buy it on Amazon below.
Don't want the whole calendar part? I got you! I pulled the gardening and animal care pages out and put them in a book all their own.
Wanting a community to lean into? Join the FREE Thriving Through Farm Life: Wife’s Support Network! In our community, we embrace the challenges of farm life and provide a supportive space for wives facing the complexities of managing a family farm. Whether you're navigating financial pressures, day-to-day operations, or seeking ways to create a thriving home, we're here for you. Explore gardening and preserving tips for cultivating your own oasis, share insights on animal care, and discover practical family budgeting strategies. Together, let's grow through challenges, flourish authentically, and sow the seeds for a resilient and thriving farm life. Join us on this journey of resilience and abundance!
Starting to garden doesn't have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I've learned over my gardening learning curve and made them into a simple course to jump start your gardening your life.
I've had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned better and how to care for my body naturally and prevent common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will get you the tools you need to have a naturally healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal western medicine all the things pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without the Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links, with NO additional cost to you.
Christmas is such a magical time—a season filled with laughter, love, and celebration. But if you're a farm mom, it can also feel like the busiest, most overwhelming stretch of the year. There’s no closing the barn doors for the holidays, no skipping chores because of a Christmas party. Animals still need to be fed, watered, and cared for, regardless of how many places you need to be or gifts you need to wrap.
It’s okay to admit that juggling farm life and holiday festivities can be tough. But you don’t have to do it all—Christmas doesn’t have to leave you frazzled and exhausted. Here are a few ways to simplify the season and keep your peace as a farm mom.
1. Simplify Wherever You Can
The farm work won’t stop for Christmas, but you can make it easier on yourself (and anyone helping with chores). This is a great time to look at what can be simplified or streamlined for the week.
- Automate Watering Systems: If you haven’t already, consider setting up automatic waterers for your animals. This can save you time and ensure that everyone is hydrated, even when you’re away from the farm. Drinking Posts are a fantastic way to keep water fresh and unfrozen for small groups. Can you use water heaters in to keep tanks open?
- Bulk Feeding Solutions: Can you feed in bulk? Setting out large hay bales in feeders or stocking a self-feeder safely can take the pressure off during busy days when time feels short.
- Delegate Chores: Don’t hesitate to lean on family members or trusted neighbors to help with chores if you’re heading out for gatherings. Setting them up for success with clear instructions and easy-to-manage systems will make their job—and your peace of mind—so much better. Bonus you can use these systems to make your life easier too.
Even small changes to your routine can make a big difference when your days are full to the brim.
2. Say “No” Without Guilt
Christmas often comes with a packed schedule—parties, family gatherings, community events. While it’s wonderful to connect with loved ones, trying to do it all is a surefire way to sap your energy and leave you feeling stretched too thin.
It’s okay to say “no.” Really—it is.
Instead of rushing from one event to another, pick one gathering per day (or less, if needed). Doing less allows you to actually enjoy the time you spend with friends and family, rather than feeling hurried to get to the next commitment.
For my family, we made this decision years ago. My husband and I both have family close by and could theoretically see both sides of the family on the same day. But we realized early on that it would leave us drained and took away from the joy of being present. Instead, we split it up—one side on Christmas Eve, the other on Christmas Day. The result? We show up calm, present, and truly able to soak in the moments with our loved ones.
Remember—rested and happy beats rushed and overwhelmed every single time.
3. Focus on What Matters Most
Farm moms juggle a lot during the holidays, and it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture in the busyness of it all. The gift shopping, event planning, and even the barn work can easily overshadow the heart of Christmas.
Take a breath. Think about what truly matters this season.
For me, it’s my faith, my family, and creating a space filled with love at home. I remind myself that my kids won’t remember if the cookies were perfectly decorated or if the stockings had expensive trinkets. What they’ll remember is the warmth, laughter, and time we spent together—sipping cocoa, looking at Christmas lights, and simply being present. The things I remember 20 plus years later.
Stop trying to make Christmas “perfect.” It already is.
4. Build a Routine That Works for You
Christmas traditions are beautiful, but they also don’t need to create chaos in your life. Accept that you can shape this season to suit your family’s needs, instead of feeling bound by old expectations that no longer work.
- Set Time Blocks: Reserve specific times for chores versus family activities, so you’re not trying to juggle both at the same time.
- Shop Mindfully: Instead of stressing over long shopping lists, focus on meaningful but simple gifts. A handwritten note or a thoughtful farm-to-table item can be so much more impactful than something costly.
- Prep Ahead: Whether it’s preparing meals that can easily be reheated or wrapping your gifts a little at a time, spreading out the workload ahead of the busiest days can relieve a lot of last-minute stress.
5. Keep Community Close
It’s so easy to feel isolated on the farm during the holidays, especially with all the outdoor work that needs attention. But you’re not alone—there are countless other farm moms walking this same tightrope during Christmas.
Lean into the sense of community that’s around you. Maybe that’s connecting with other farm moms online, sharing tips, or organizing a small local holiday coffee meet-up. Sometimes, just hearing “Me too” can help you feel so much lighter.
Farm Moms Can Thrive This Christmas
Christmas may be a challenge on the farm, but it’s also an opportunity to lean into what truly matters. Simplify where you can, say no when you need to, and show yourself the same grace you extend to others.
You’re doing amazing work—not just on the farm, but as the heartbeat of your home.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed this season, I’d love to hear from you. What’s challenging you the most? What’s bringing you joy? Drop a comment or send me a message—I’m here to encourage you every step of the way.
Here’s to a calm and joyful Christmas, filled with the things that truly matter.
As I've grown in my journey as an entrepreneur, mom, gardener, and livestock owner, I struggled to find a planner that met my needs and kept me organized. So, I MADE MY OWN. You can look at it on the link below and buy it on amazon below.
Don't want the whole calendar part? I got you! I pulled the gardening and animal care pages out and put them in a book all their own.
Wanting a community to lean into? Join the FREE Thriving Through Farm Life: Wife’s Support Network! In our community, we embrace the challenges of farm life and provide a supportive space for wives facing the complexities of managing a family farm. Whether you're navigating financial pressures, day-to-day operations, or seeking ways to create a thriving home, we're here for you. Explore gardening and preserving tips for cultivating your own oasis, share insights on animal care, and discover practical family budgeting strategies. Together, let's grow through challenges, flourish authentically, and sow the seeds for a resilient and thriving farm life. Join us on this journey of resilience and abundance!
Starting to garden doesn't have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I've learned over my gardening learning curve and made them into a simple course to jump start your gardening your life.
I've had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned better and how to care for my body naturally and prevent common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will get you the tools you need to have a naturally healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal western medicine all the things pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without the Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links, with NO additional cost to you.
The endless rows of crops, the hum of the tractor, the laughter (or cries) of little ones echoing across the field—it’s the life you chose, the life you dreamed of. Yet, some days it feels like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Tight budgets, uncertain harvests, unrelenting debt. The choices are constant and the sacrifices cut deep—apples or oranges this month?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and defeated, you’re not alone. And while you might not have all the answers right now, you don’t have to carry this alone. There’s comfort in knowing that God is walking every step of this difficult path with you.
The Anchor in the Storm
It’s easy to feel tossed around when life keeps throwing challenges your way. But just as a tree’s roots dig deep into the soil, anchoring it through relentless storms, your faith in God can anchor you amidst the chaos. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Even when it feels like everything is unraveling—when the bills pile up, when another piece of equipment breaks down, when you're just too tired to soldier on—God is working. His hand is steady, even in the storm. Trusting in His plan doesn’t mean that life gets easier, but it brings peace in the knowledge that you’re not alone.
Finding Calm in Daily Chaos
Here are some ways to reconnect with God’s peace and grace when the overwhelm creeps in:
1. Start your mornings with prayer: Even a 5-minute conversation with God can set the tone for your day. Share your fears, your struggles, and your dreams with Him.
2. Seek Him in His Word: Pick a verse or two to meditate on during your busiest days. Scriptures like Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble,” can provide the strength you need.
3. Surrender control: One of the hardest lessons of faith is learning to trust God’s timing and plan. Acknowledge that some things are beyond your control and breathe in the peace that comes from surrendering to Him.
4. Gratitude changes perspective: When it feels like there’s nothing to be thankful for, take a moment to focus on the little blessings everyday—a laugh with your child or the way the sun sets over your land. Gratitude doesn’t erase struggles, but it reframes them.
Leaning on His Grace
The truth is, life on the farm will have its rollercoaster moments. The bills may loom, the crops may falter, and exhaustion might settle in your bones. But in all of this, there’s a God who knows your name, who sees your struggles, and who walks before, beside, and behind you.
Trust in Him, lean into His strength, and know that this season, no matter how hard it feels, is part of a greater story He’s writing for you and your family.
When it feels like too much, remember this promise from Matthew 11:28, where Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Rest in His grace. You’re not just surviving—you’re walking toward a thriving life, one step at a time, with Him.
As I've grown in my journey as an entrepreneur, mom, gardener, and livestock owner, I struggled to find a planner that met my needs and kept me organized. So, I MADE MY OWN. You can look at it on the link below and buy it on amazon below.
Don't want the whole calendar part? I got you! I pulled the gardening and animal care pages out and put them in a book all their own.
Wanting a community to lean into? Join the FREE Thriving Through Farm Life: Wife’s Support Network! In our community, we embrace the challenges of farm life and provide a supportive space for wives facing the complexities of managing a family farm. Whether you're navigating financial pressures, day-to-day operations, or seeking ways to create a thriving home, we're here for you. Explore gardening and preserving tips for cultivating your own oasis, share insights on animal care, and discover practical family budgeting strategies. Together, let's grow through challenges, flourish authentically, and sow the seeds for a resilient and thriving farm life. Join us on this journey of resilience and abundance!
Starting to garden doesn't have to be hard! I gathered all the tips I've learned over my gardening learning curve and made them into a simple course to jump start your gardening your life.
I've had 3 very different pregnancies. After the first traumatic birth, I learned better and how to care for my body naturally and prevent common pregnancy and birth problems before they arise. This quick course will get you the tools you need to have a naturally healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery. My first pregnancy I had a normal western medicine all the things pregnancy. My second? I flipped to completely natural, no medicine. Bonus: Preventing Preeclampsia Without the Aspirin & Healing from Birth Trauma
