Help Us Revive Our Family Barn for a Roadside Farmstead

Help Us Revive Our Family Barn for a Roadside Farmstead, The Rustic Hidden Gem Farmstead

Welcome!

We’re thrilled to invite you on our journey to breathe new life into our family’s cherished barn. For over 50 years, this barn has been a cornerstone of our family’s story, and now it’s time to give it a new purpose and share it with our wonderful community.

Our Family’s Legacy

In 1974, my grandparents left Florida, driven by a dream to cultivate this beautiful piece of land into a thriving pear orchard. Their hard work paid off, supporting our family for many years. Now, we’re eager to revive that vision, shifting our focus to chestnuts, herbs, and heirloom plants. We also craft salves and tinctures from our harvest, continuing the tradition of nourishing, handcrafted products.

Our Journey

My partner, Walter, and I have been together for eight wonderful years. In 2020, we made the heartfelt decision to move up here to be with my grandmother. At that time, we lived in an RV for over a year, embracing a simpler lifestyle while we adapted to our new surroundings. Eventually, we transitioned to our tiny shed, which is a cozy 160 square feet—our little haven amidst the land we love.

In 2022, we planted our first garden, and since then, we’ve been dedicated to expanding it. With each season, we’ve learned more about the land and have grown passionate about sustainable farming and providing wholesome, homegrown food.

Our Homestead’s Vision

Our ultimate vision is to create a welcoming space that not only revitalizes our barn but also remodels the original farmhouse on the property. We plan to incorporate a commercial kitchen, allowing us to keep sharing our delicious baked goods, like zucchini bread, carrot cake muffins, sun-dried basil muffins, and so much more! This space will be a hub for the community, offering seeds, plant starts, fresh produce, and artisanal creations, including salves and tinctures. We envision a place where neighbors can gather, enjoy homemade treats, and connect with the land.

Why We Need Your Help

While our barn has stood strong for decades, it’s beginning to show its age. Some of the boards are broken, and it needs care and freshening up to transform it into a vibrant shop for our community. Nestled among vineyards and wineries, we’re excited to fill a unique niche—offering something special for both locals and tourists alike by summer 2025.

By helping us, you’re not only reviving a piece of our family history but also investing in the future of local businesses and community engagement.

Thank You!

We truly appreciate you taking the time to read our story. Whether you can donate or simply send your encouragement, your support means the world to us as we work toward opening our shop and welcoming the community to our family homestead.

With gratitude,

Walter & Ivy

BREAKDOWN: New Railroad Ties (20)

Resanding of wood

Wood Oil to seal the wood

Solar Lights

Bring water to the barn

Stairs

Clean up the yard around the barn

Plant