About Us
Our Story
Early Years
Gardening has been a lifelong pursuit. Raised in NW Nebraska and SE Idaho, I learned early on that tending a garden wasn’t just a chore, it was a practical way to improve daily life and ensure a steady source of healthy food. Even during my brief service in the US Navy, I always found my way back to the garden, where growing and preserving our own food became second nature.
The Corporate Ladder
After Stacey and I married, our lives took us from one place to the next as we climbed the corporate ladder. In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, blessed with ideal growing conditions, we finally acquired acreage and set an ambitious goal: to produce 75% of the food we consumed. We built a sizeable garden and raised rabbits, poultry, sheep, hogs, and a few cattle. Yet, the demands of our day jobs meant that, despite our best efforts, we couldn’t fully realize that vision.
Montana Farm
In 2021, we seized the chance to return closer to home by purchasing a modest farm with water rights in Twin Bridges, Montana. Although the pasture and infrastructure needed considerable work, the land held the promise of becoming our “forever home.” That first year was all about hard work; repairing fences, reestablishing raised garden beds, planting a small orchard, and starting a flock of sheep. All necessary to lay the groundwork for our self-sufficient future.
Stacey's Herb Garden
Stacey’s interest in crafting her own herbal remedies led her to experiment in our raised bed garden. In 2023, after completing a course in herbal medicine, she transformed that space into a vibrant herb garden. By embracing even the herbs most might overlook, she’s shown how a little creativity can turn everyday plants into valuable ingredients for healthy living.
Cash's Pumpkin Patch
During his second spring on the farm, 13-year-old Cash embarked on his first entrepreneurial venture; a pumpkin patch. Partnering with a friend, he planted ¾ acre and encountered the challenges inherent in any new project. Undeterred, a season of research and adjustments led to a breakthrough: the next year, Cash’s efforts resulted in the production and sale of over 1,200 pumpkins, marking a promising start to his journey in farming.
Colter's Flowers
In 2023, with the addition of a small greenhouse, Colter set out to cultivate flowers for Mother’s Day hanging baskets. Despite early setbacks, including a low seed germination rate in the chilly greenhouse, he adapted quickly by supplementing his stock with last-minute seedlings. In the end, Colter sold over 150 baskets at the Twin Bridges Farmers Market, a testament to his resilience and natural knack for connecting with people.
Market Garden
After years of managing joint pain and learning firsthand the benefits of a cleaner, unprocessed diet, I found renewed purpose in taking our food production to the next level. With the encouragement of Stacey and our two industrious kids, we expanded our gardening efforts; transforming our modest plots into a market garden that not only feeds our family but also supplies our local community. Today, Cash oversees a 1½-acre plot growing pumpkins and sweet corn, while the rest of us use intensive gardening methods on ¾ acre to produce a wide variety of fresh, high-quality local produce. Our commitment to self-reliance and healthy living drives everything we do.
