Feb 24, 2024: As I pedaled on my spin bike this morning, the words of my favorite iFIT instructor, Nicole, echoed in my mind: "What is a dream that is so big that you have to grow into it? One that scares you a little bit." For me, that dream is Hillyndale Road Farm—a venture that continues to push me to evolve and expand, even as it fills me with excitement tinged with a hint of trepidation.
From Academia to Agriculture:
Twenty years ago, as a wide-eyed undergraduate at the University of Connecticut, I had different aspirations. My dream was to become a professor and conduct research in South Africa. But life has a funny way of leading us down unexpected paths. Today, I find myself just five minutes from my alma mater, tending to chicken coops and envisioning the growth of a farm business. It's a testament to the ever-changing nature of dreams and our capacity to embrace new roles and identities. I am a mother, a partner, an educator, and a homesteader—each facet adding depth and richness to my journey.
The Roots of Homesteading:
My journey into homesteading began with the birth of my first son. Faced with gluten and dairy sensitivities in my children, I embarked on a quest to understand the origins of our food and how it impacts our well-being. From humble beginnings in container gardens and repurposed baby bathtubs, my passion for growing my own food blossomed. With each harvest and each freshly baked loaf of bread, I found solace and connection to the earth—a grounding force in an increasingly fast-paced world.
Crafting a Sustainable Future:
As spring approaches, I eagerly anticipate sharing the fruits of my labor with the community. At local farmer's markets, pop-up locations, and pre-order curbside pickups, I will offer artisan bread, baked goods, heirloom seedlings, and eggs—all nurtured with care and sustainably sourced. From the organic ingredients in my recipes to the happy clucks of my organically fed chickens, every aspect of Hillyndale Road Farm reflects a commitment to quality and integrity. And as I dream of expanding to a permanent farm store with additional offerings, I invite you to join me on this exciting journey.
As I gaze out at the seedlings in my sunroom and the chickens roaming the backyard, I am reminded that dreams are not static—they evolve and grow alongside us. Hillyndale Road Farm is more than just a business venture; it's a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the transformative power of pursuing our passions. So, as I embark on this new chapter, I invite you to stay tuned for the adventures that lie ahead. Together, let's cultivate a future filled with abundance, sustainability, and the joy of living close to the land.
Embracing the Wild and Free: My Sourdough Journey
April 3, 2024: In the words of Thoreau, "all good things are wild and free." This quote has resonated deeply with me throughout my life, leading me to find connections to it in unexpected places, including my kitchen. Sourdough, with its wild fermentation process, embodies this idea perfectly and has become a staple in my life for both its health benefits and its connection to tradition.
The Beauty of Sourdough:
Sourdough bread, with its tangy flavor and airy texture, is not just a delicious treat for me; it's a lifeline. Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with idiopathic gastroparesis, a condition that severely affects my digestive system. To manage my symptoms, I rely on easily digestible foods, and sourdough has become a cornerstone of my diet. Unlike bread made with commercial yeast, sourdough is rich in nutrients, gentle on the stomach, and less likely to cause blood sugar spikes.
Connecting with Tradition:
Beyond its health benefits, I'm drawn to sourdough for its traditional and ancestral roots. As an anthropologist at heart, I find joy in the age-old practice of wild fermentation, where flour and water come alive, bubbling and rising in harmony. This connection to tradition adds a sense of depth and meaning to my culinary endeavors.
Embracing Transformation:
At its core, sourdough embodies the spirit of transformation. Like this wild and free yeast, I strive to embrace change and growth in my own life. Just as sourdough undergoes a metamorphosis from simple ingredients to a flavorful loaf, I too am on a journey of self-discovery and evolution.
In a world filled with processed foods and artificial additives, sourdough stands as a beacon of simplicity and authenticity. For me, it's more than just bread; it's a symbol of resilience, tradition, and connection to the natural world. So, as I knead my dough and watch it rise, I'm reminded to embrace the wild and free spirit of sourdough in all aspects of my life.
Embracing the Seasons: A Journey Towards Self-Discovery and Rebirth
April 29, 2024: As I've gotten older, I've developed a deeper appreciation for the rhythm of the seasons, learning to synchronize my life with their ebb and flow. Summer beckons growth and productivity; Autumn, a celebration of nature's abundance and a time for embracing change; Winter, a season for introspection and slowing down; and Spring, a period of renewal and rebirth. As Winter bids farewell and Spring blossoms before us, I find my own journey echoing the cadence of nature.
The long, cold days of Winter gave me the opportunity to really dig deep and do some soul-searching. Going back to full-time work after the homeschooling years of Covid hit my family hard. Trying to balance my career goals with being there for my kids felt like I was constantly climbing uphill. Even though I poured years into working toward advanced degrees, I started to doubt if this life was what I really wanted. Wanting to build my career while still being present for my family often left me feeling like I was spread too thin.
Juggling household duties, academic pursuits, and later, returning to full-time work, felt like a constant battle. Dealing with sickness, stress and work/school conflicts became routine, leaving me longing for a slower, simpler, more enriching life—one where I could be more present for my family, attend to my health, feel more connected to my community and able to pursue my other passions. For years, I'd daydreamed about Hillyndale Road Farm, a fuzzy vision waiting to take shape. Even though I wasn't sure how to make it happen, there was something pulling me towards this new adventure. I came to terms with the fact that learning is a lifelong journey, and all those years of studying and educating in various capacities had given me a toolbox of skills I could use outside of the classroom.
Throughout my journey, there have been individuals whose influence has left an indelible mark on my life and shaped my worldview. During my college years, professors Marita, Barb, and Vernon ignited a spark within me, introducing me to new perspectives and ways of viewing the world. More recently, authors and fellow homesteaders Shannon Hayes and Jill Winger have been equally influential and inspiring. Following Shannon's advice from the book “Redefining Rich,”, I crafted a quality of life statement, laying the foundation for a more intentional and fulfilling existence—one centered around family, nature, and homesteading endeavors. I decided it was time to dive into my dream and make it a reality.
As the flowers begin to bloom and Spring breathes life into the world once more, the realization of my dreams feels serendipitous. It's a season of rebirth, both for myself and the natural world that surrounds me. I also invite you to pause and reflect on the seasons of your own life. What new beginnings await you this Spring?
Embracing Challenges, Celebrating Triumphs: A Small Business Journey
July 2, 2024: These past six months of launching my cottage bakery and micro farm have been a whirlwind of challenges and triumphs, akin to the highs and lows of motherhood. Starting a small business has proven to be a profoundly humbling journey, filled with exhaustion, inspiration, stress, and enlightenment. I've stumbled through numerous mistakes, yet each one has been a lesson learned.
From baking a single loaf of bread daily to now crafting 75, the journey has been nothing short of an adventure. Sourdough, in particular, is a delicate dance influenced by everything from weather and temperature to fermentation times and dough quantities per container. I've experienced every misstep imaginable—over-proofing, under-proofing, over-baking, under-baking—and encountered equipment failures like broken scales and unreliable refrigerators.
Balancing the demands of growing fruits and vegetables with baking, family life, and a business startup has often felt like a juggling act where I've frequently dropped the ball. The learning curve has been steep, a constant reminder of how much I have yet to master. There were times when I planted seedlings too late, neglected watering, or drowned them in too much.
Yet amid these challenges, I've found immense joy and fulfillment within my community. Providing wholesome, delicious food to my neighbors—and working alongside other local farmers and small business owners—has reshaped my priorities. While self-sufficiency was once my aim, I now cherish being deeply connected to my community and collaborating with other farms and entrepreneurs. Knowing that my efforts contribute to a local food system is profoundly meaningful.
Launching this business was a plunge into the unknown, driven by a willingness to learn and a steadfast commitment. I anticipate making countless more mistakes, but the satisfaction of creating something uniquely mine, and contributing to my community, outweighs any setbacks. Witnessing familiar faces return each week to purchase my breads and baked goods fills me with unparalleled joy.
Thank you all for joining me on this incredible journey, supporting not just a small business but also other local farmers. Together, we're cultivating something truly special.
