When Gooseberry Creek Farm was born, We found ourselves open to a deeper level of community than we’d previously known. Sure, we’d come home over a year prior and loved our small-town community, but this was different. Several people I’d grown up with had gotten into agriculture themselves, some even starting their own businesses in the industry. We now had even more in common than our childhood and everyone was willing to help as Eliott and I tried to figure this farm and homesteading thing out.
Willow Ridge Farm first inspired me to start Gooseberry Creek Farm when they opened their brick and mortar store. When I asked, the owners were quick to help with all sorts of pointers and tips for starting our own place. Willow Ridge sells their own pasture raised poultry, beef and wood products, as well as produce from other local farmers through their store. In fact, we are getting our fireplace mantle from them for the new farmhouse! We set up a time to stop by their store and one of the owners walked us through some large slabs that had been drying for some time. We were able to pick out the exact look we wanted and there it sits, tagged and waiting for us. Some day my hope is to be able to sell some of our extras through a brick and mortar store such as Willow Ridge.
When we first decided we needed help with our logo (coming soon), we were referred to Highland Design by Farmers Daughters Seeds. This local seed company also provided us with some much needed advice on our food plots, as well as our muddy mess of a lawn. They sell several varieties of seeds from those for food plots, to gardening, to lawn and pasture. We will be getting our seeds from them this year and I’m SO excited! Mostly for the clover mix for our bees.
2 of the 3 companies’ founding ladies are former schoolmates of mine. In fact, I played sports with them both during our time together in High School. Having that connection to small businesses I’m supporting makes my trust in their product run even deeper. Community is everything in this farm life and I am so glad I decided to Come Home and start Gooseberry Creek. I have been blessed more than I really deserve with all the love and support we have already been shown.
