Welcome to the Farm
About
“The quality of our food determines in a large part the quality of our lives. And the quality of what we eat is determined by every step that goes into production and processing- the feeding of the animals, care of the soil, preservation, storage and even cooking methods.“
– Dr. Weston A. Price
JOSEPH
I grew up Amish on our family farm. Though my family never had access to sustainable ideas, we grew and preserved our own food conventionally. We raised sheep, cattle, and laying hens. Some of my siblings also worked away from home in order to make ends meet.
Sadly, farms today can’t usually support the farmers who work them. This causes many farmers to struggle, falling deeper into into debt, even while working outside jobs. Because of this, they often resort to corner-cutting on quality to increase production in a desperate attempt keep the family homestead.
I wanted more for my family. I dreamed of having a working farm that would allow my children to live off of the land and eventually raise their own families on the farm where I had grown up.
After we left the Amish, I started farming with tractors, perfecting my hay technique (I’m still said to have the best hay in the area) and I developed an interest in restoring and farming with antique John Deere tractors.
MARION
I grew up homesteading on an acre of land. My days were spent spinning and weaving the wool from my sheep while learning – along with my city-bred parents – how to can, bake, save seeds, and keep bees. I then went to school for beef and sheep production. I had an interest in veterinary medicine.
At school, I learned a great deal about what I didn’t want to do and why. I saw how modern farming practices pushed animals to their limits to increase profits. This destroys the health of the animals and, in turn, detrimentally affects the health of those consuming them.
It became very clear to me that quantity often precludes quality. I also became passionate about heirloom veggies and cooking seasonally. I realized that there is a huge difference in nutritional value and flavor in foods prepared the old fashioned way.
THE FARM
Our interests and expertise complimented each other. Marion had the book knowledge, Joseph had the experience. Our first joint farming endeavor was our sheep, followed shortly by the bees. Then, we started selling eggs and honey to supplement our farm income. By the time we had a few kids, we were raising chickens, beef, and lamb for our own use, sustainably.
We operate under a philosophy of Sustainable Agriculture. See our “Sustainable Agriculture” page to get a better idea of how biodiversity in farming echoes God’s original design for his creation, with each venture supporting and building on the others.
After tasting our food, our families decided they wanted some too. Then, our friends did the same thing. Then, their friends noticed the difference and wanted some too! Farming is hard work and long hours. We could sell our quality products for much more than we ourselves could afford to pay for them, but we are in this to make a living, not a killing. We consider our vocation a ministry as much as a business, and feel it is our calling not only to be good stewards of the land and creatures God has placed in our care, but also to make good food affordable enough for others to benefit from it as well. We aren’t well-to-do, but our farm supports us. Because of what we do, and how we do it, our eight children can eat like kings! We love what we do, and wouldn’t choose to do anything else.
THE STORE
The Shepherd’s Market is our farm’s store. It has become an extension of our farm.
It is stocked with the products we raise as well as the ones we buy for our own use. Our criteria in choosing these products is as follows:
- If we won’t feed it to our kids, we won’t sell it.
- Everything must be non-GMO. We will not sell anything with GMO ingredients.
- Real food, no pseudo-food here!
After those stipulations are met, we give preference to products that are:
- Local
- Sustainably grown or made
- US grown
- Organic
(In that order)
We do have some products that are simply the best we can get at a reasonable price, but even then we still choose with great care.
Our central goal in operating this market is to bring to our community the same real foods that nurture our own family and animals. We strive to bring you only the best, nutrient-dense foods. Our products come to you the way God made them, with no artificial chemicals, hormones, or additives. You are free to enjoy your food without having to worry about what is in it or where it came from. We look forward to serving you. Only through the grace of Christ. – Joseph and Marion
