Grace's Farm Story (yes, the short version!)

Growing up in small towns amongst the beautiful Appalachian mountains of North Carolina instilled in me a strong sense of connection with the land. My favorite homes were those where wild onions, mints, flowers, and raspberries grew. My grandmother's gardens were a childhood solace.

In 1997 I moved to northern New Mexico with my then toddler son, Isaiah Truth and began my farm living journey. We found a little cabin on a 20-acre off grid community farm in the Truchas Mountains north of Velarde. Here we learned about self sufficient farming, permaculture, and solar living. We showered outside, planted and harvested much of our food, milked dairy goats, made our own cheese and tofu, composted everything, and started a small business making and selling goat's milk soaps, and wild sage bundles at the local flea market. This experience was the first of many farm and community living situations we found ourselves in.

We moved back to N.C. in 1999 and spent a year living at Earthaven Ecovillage. I met my husband there, attended herb school at the North Carolina School of Natural Healing (now ASHH), built a slip-straw and cob home, and conceived and birthed my second child, a beautiful daughter... Lily Bird.

In 2001 my family and I moved to Southern New Hampshire. We found a community farm with a bakery, orchard, and school. We spent the next five years baking artisian wood fired breads, gardening, teaching at a waldorf-inspired pre-school and kindergarten, experimenting more with animal husbandry, and having our third child, Abel Dyami.

Having these wonderful experiences planted a strong desire in us to purchase our own farm, and in 2006 we did just that! After a quick trip visiting through the midwest we found a 25-acre homestead near Bloomington, Indiana and made it home. Woo Hoo!!

Four years later we have built a herd of dairy cows, guinea hogs, chickens, llamas, and sheep. We have planted 100's of perennials and fruit trees, built a greenhouse, and hand dug our garden. In 2009 I started another soap business with the lovely J.D. Grove (Full Moon Milk Soaps). In the next few years I hope to build an herbal sanctuary and education program here at Moon Valley Farm...but first I need to finish nursing school! Phew! Thanks for taking the time to read my farm story.

Love, Grace