About Us

What Is Steel Raven Farms?

January 2, 2024 by Leigh Leave a Comment

To put it simply, Steel Raven Farms is my farm…. Well, Jared and my farm. It’s a legacy that we are leaving for our kids, grandkids and anyone that we can touch. What started out as a day dream has turned into this huge thing that I am so incredibly proud of. But to start, let me show you my farm.

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How Steel Raven Farms Was Born

There was a really long time where I wanted something that I just couldn’t name. I had this yearning for something different than the standard American dream. I didn’t want the white picket fence in suburbia. I didn’t want a perfectly manicured lawn. And I didn’t want the perfect house with the perfect kids. That’s not even close to who I am. But I couldn’t put my finger on the THING that was missing.

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City Kids Turned Rural Adults

Jared and I grew up as city kids and moved a LOT. We always lived in suburbia in various houses and apartments. When we got married at the ripe old age of 18 and 19, we continued on that path.

I’ve always loved planting things and I’ve always tried to grow a garden. But with constant moves, it was damn near impossible. Then I said screw it and planted a small garden in my front yard of our on post house on Fort Hood. I grew and harvested my first carrot and some potatoes and I was HOOKED.

When we bought our first house in Texas, I planted our first “real” garden and I absolutely feel in love! I started trying to figure out how we could do more of it. But we were stuck in the middle of this tiny town and couldn’t move.

After a move back to Georgia, and a couple more moves, we finally landed on our slice of heaven in Habersham County, GA in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

Searching For Peace

Throughout my life, I kept searching for this thing. Like I said above, I just couldn’t put my finger on whatever it was that I couldn’t find. The closest I ever came was the various gardens I planted. But I never put two and two together until we moved here.

Jared and I haven’t always had the relationship we have now. I’ve realized over the last 5 years, that we were both searching for this THING and we were making each other miserable.

When we moved to our property and took our first real breath, we discovered what this THING was, we had finally found peace.

Steel Raven Farms Was Born

When we were preparing to buy this property, we started doing a ton of research. What did we want to do with this property? We knew we wanted to grow our own food and raise as much of our meat as possible. But what else?

Then as we were getting ready to close on the property, I decided the farm needed a name. Something that we could call it that gave it an identity and make it ours.

So I got on Google and started looking at various symbols, mythology, and pagan held beliefs.

We chose Steel because it is hard, rigid, and stubborn. But it also means strength, purpose, and honor.

We chose Ravens as a nod to our heritage but also because ravens are inquisitive, intelligent, mate for life. There is also a ton of symbolism behind them like ancient wisdom, partnerships, adaptability, and transitions.

We chose Farms because at the end of the day, we are working towards retirement with the farm being our income source. I talked here about the difference between a homestead and farming. There wasn’t much mystical or symbolic about that one I’m afraid.

Where Steel Raven Farms Is Going

I always have a plan and where my farm is going is no different. The end goal of Steel Raven Farms is a legacy for our family. But there are so many parts and pieces to get there. We must maintain our peace while also pushing the needle to the end goal. We have this huge goal of growing 75% of our and our animal’s food on farm. But mostly? We want a place that is full of learning.

Pushing The Needle, While Maintaining Peace

I think the most important thing I have learned since starting the farm, was realizing that it is okay to push the needle hard but also be able to back off and enjoy peace. In my podcast about Struggling With Overwhelm, I talked about the internal struggle that most millennials have. We were taught that we can’t play until our chores, homework, etc were done. But that creates an environment were, as adults, we can’t relax because there’s so much to do!

I have discovered that by creating time within my day to relax and take time for myself, I am able to push that needle. All while avoiding burnout and risking my peace.

What that looks like for Steel Raven Farms, is growing bigger gardens without forcing the land to give what it’s not ready for. It includes setting up infrastructure to allow for scaling up but not requiring it. Or allowing myself a hobby that has nothing to do with the farm.

Setting Goals But Being Okay With Not Hitting Them

One thing that some homesteaders don’t realize until it’s too late, is that Mother Nature is on her own time. Sure, we can adjust that time but installing greenhouses or high tunnels. But she has the final say when it comes to nature. A freak storm can take out your garden, or a parasite infestation takes out your goats. That means that for us, we have to be willing and able to say let’s try again next year.

Or it means, changing goals. It’s okay to think you want to raise chickens for egg production, only to realize that they may not be worth the damage they do. So you decide to get ducks instead. That’s okay!

Creating An Environment For Learning

I believe, fully and completely, that you should always be learning something. It doesn’t matter if it is a new way of cooking, hobby, or skill. You should always learn something new. We also wanted to create an environment were our boys were able to be curious, where they could move and be outside.

I believe, and time will tell, that we have created an environment where they can learn and make mistakes in the safety of this property. There are no tests here. Life will be their test, this farm can be their practice. And if I’m being totally honest, it’s our place to practice too.

We have colossally screwed up multiple times, trying to figure out the best way to do things. And that’s okay! The first time we raised and butchered pigs ended up being a complete loss. The first time brooding turkeys wasn’t any better. But that’s okay too. We are learning.

We Are Steel Raven Farms

And we are creating a legacy, environment for learning and a sanctuary for peace.

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How We Got Into Homesteading

December 26, 2023 by Leigh Leave a Comment

We got into homesteading because we were tired. Tired of every single thing that has happened over the last 25 years. Things that don’t look like they are changing any time soon. But it didn’t start out that way. The cabin in the woods was always the goal for retirement. We wanted to have that secluded spot, away from everyone and no one could bother us. But as we witnessed more of the insanity, we decided to switch the dream from a cabin in the woods, to a homestead in the mountains.

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Why We Got Into Homesteading

Like most modern homesteaders, we got into homesteading because we were tired of the uncertainty. The uncertainty of what was in our food or where it came from. Not knowing if the shelves would be stocked. We wanted to be left alone to do the things we wanted to do. Like actually raising our kids and having a hand in their education. Raising animals for meat in a humane and ethical way. We wanted food that was healthy for us AND the land. We got into homesteading for the peace it brings.

Kids During Chaos

We are millennials, which means that for the last 25 years we have literally watched the extreme highs and lows. We were kids during 9/11 and the following wars, 2 of which Jared fought in. We saw the collapse of the housing market and the almost collapse of the stock market. Where companies too big to fail were bailed out with billions of dollars. We saw the great recession and rise of unrest. We saw the great division of our nation. Then we saw the pandemic.

Now, we are raising our kids in a time were there is a lot of known and unknown threats, division and general unease. I am raising my boys to be men in a world were they are “less than” simply because they are boys. Where women are made to feel unsafe by men, but my boys are expected to protect. Because, as a nation, we can’t just accept people for who they are.

We are teaching our boys about history as it was, not as it has been whitewashed to fit whatever agenda is being pushed. We are raising our boys to THINK for themselves and learn to problem solve. While this has been frustrating because they don’t do what they are told. It is amazing knowing that they will NEVER follow lock step with things that just don’t make sense.

Homesteading In Uncertainity

There are a lot of things that homesteading does. It creates a resilient and independent spirit. It teaches you that you are far more capable than you thought. But the best part? When planned “right”, homesteading creates certainty.

When I say planned “right”, I don’t mean by following the rules. I mean animals will be born, grow and die, plants will grow and die. When you are a good steward to your resources, you are rewarded with untold bounty. That’s not to say that you won’t fail, but there is a certain amount of peace in knowing that the sun will rise and set, seasons will change, and green things will grow.

When you align yourself with what nature is already doing, and ask her to help you, your gardens will be over abundant. Your animals will thrive. Your kids will see that everything is a cycle. It’s truly amazing what happens when you start homesteading and start paying attention.

Raising Meat Humanely

Homesteaders get asked all the time, and we are no different, how can you raise something and then eat it? How can you claim to care about animals if you are going to kill them? Don’t you feel bad for killing them?

I am going to write a whole blog post on that subject but I’m just going to say this: we raise as much of our meat as possible because when we take responsibility for our food, the food doesn’t suffer.

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People get so attached to the animal, but they NEVER stop to think about where their protein source came from. Or they never stop to think about what has had to die for them to get their fruits and vegetables. For the vast majority of American’s, their food comes from the grocery store. So they don’t see what Big Ag, Big Animal, or Big Pharma is doing to the land.

If they did, they would understand how much better our animals are raised. How there is minimal stress, absolutely no chemicals, and minimal medical interventions. They would see that our animals are happy, healthy, and thriving. They would see animals that are doing what animals are supposed to do.

Working WITH Nature To Harvest Healthy Food

On our farm, we use zero chemicals on the earth. Period. No fertilizers, no pesticides, no herbicides, and no fungicides. Accidental spills of paint, oils, etc into soil or possible run off, are dug up (where possible) and sunflowers or mustard greens are planted. Those plants are then burned.

We do not till our ground unless we have no other options. We use cover crops, animals, and organic matter to work with the nature instead of against it. When it comes time to plant, we dig a small hole to put a transplant or we use our hands to rake or dig. Then, when the plants are spent, we cut the plant off at soil level and drop the spent plant back into the bed.

This feeds the soil microbiome. Which in turn feeds us.

Our garden produces some of the best tasting vegetables I have ever eaten. Most of them can be pulled straight from the garden and eaten raw, they are that good. Our animals are given the same foods we eat. They absolutely love garden scraps and will wait at the fence, watching and waiting for their bucket of nom noms.

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We Got Into Homesteading For Peace

I think the most important thing that the homestead has brought us is peace. Every morning, rain or shine, I go into my kitchen garden. I look at my beds and dream. When it’s cold, I plan the upcoming year. When it’s hot, I enjoy the harvest. And every year, I look for ways to be a better steward to the land.

Every day, I look at my goats. I watch mommas grow big with babies. I watch babies frolic and play. I milk mommas and thank them.

In the years we have been homesteading, I have found life in the slow lane to be more welcoming, joyful and humbling.

And yes, there is stress. This is a real homestead. There are triumphs and failures. But when I go to bed at night, I am at peace.

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Happy Anniversary To Us

June 2, 2022 by Leigh Leave a Comment

Today, Jared and I celebrate 15 years of marriage. It’s hard to believe that the two teenagers that were getting married, despite their family wishing they would wait, actually made it to 15 years. So Happy Anniversary, Stud!

Our Origin Story

Every superhero needs an origin story and while we are mere mortals, I think ours deserves to be heard too.

We started dating when I was 15. After some bumps in the road, a couple of miscarriages, and break ups, I decided that this was the person I wanted to be with. To prove it, I asked him to marry me. Yup, I’m not one for tradition.

Three months later, we were saying our I do’s on my aunts front lawn with family and friends. My family wasn’t thrilled but like always, they were supportive. Two months later, Jared left for basic training. That started our very lopsided relationship of him gone and me waiting for him to come back.

Between training and deployments, we had spent more time apart than together. It wasn’t until year six or seven that we finally got balanced on the time away from each other to the time together.

While in Texas, I got bit by the homestead bug and started our gardens. Which flopped. But I wasn’t deterred. I am pretty stubborn. When we moved back to Georgia, the plan was to retire to a cabin in the woods. I wanted to live in the mountains, and Jared didn’t care. We circled the area we wanted to live and got to work.

Seven years after moving back to Georgia, we bought our little cabin in the woods. It’s at the base of some mountains, which is close enough for me. We have been busting our butts to get this cabin renovated and a homestead started from scratch. We are still moving and shaking on it but I am really proud of the two city kids that had a dream and are now making it a reality.

My Advice

When we got married, we were given a bunch of advice. I’m pretty sure we have all heard it before.

“Don’t go to bed angry”- I am grouchy when I’m tired or hungry. No fight will ever get solved when I’m tired or hungry. Ever.

“Happy Wife, Happy Life”- No, just no. I am not the only one in this relationship. Neither is he.

“Love is Enough”- There are going to be times when you are questioning if loving them is even worth the stress they cause.

“If you’re soulmates, it’ll work out”- There are no such thing as soulmates. #notsorry

I am here to tell you, those people are full of shit. Again #notsorry.

Here is my advice:

Make your spouse and relationship a priority. Your kids will leave your house. Your friends will be busy. Your dog will die. But if you take care of your relationship and make them a priority? They will stick around.

Every day, love your spouse more than they love you. It doesn’t matter if they are speaking your love language. It doesn’t matter who actually loves who more. But if you are doing every single thing that you can do to love them more, nothing else matters. Especially when they are doing the same for you.

Realistic expectations. Unmet expectations are the number one relationship killer. Period. If you expect them to love you more than you love them, and they don’t, what happens? If you expect them to buy you expensive jewelry all the time and they don’t, what happens? You get hurt. But if you have realistic expectations you will be much happier. For example, I know that Jared is going to clean the kitchen after dinner, when I’m at work. That is my expectation. My unmet expectation is that he is going to clean it the way I want it cleaned. To be completely honest, that expectation goes unmet with myself too.

I don’t pump gas or open doors when he’s around

Communicate with your partner! This is the other half of realistic expectations. If you don’t communicate with your partner about ALL of the things that are bothering you, good luck. But if you can communicate with them like a normal human being without starting a fight? You’ll be fine. Jared knows when I’m pissed because I tell him. He knows when I’m happy, because I tell him. He knows what I want, why? Say it with me! BECAUSE I TELL HIM!

Is it worth it? This is the key piece of advice that I give every single couple. Especially the young ones. It is the very last one for a reason. When you’re young, you will fight about everything. Every. Single. Thing. Becomes an argument. But I want you to stop, and really think about what you’re fighting about. Is it worth your relationship? Is being right, worth whatever it is that you are fighting about? Because if it’s not, let it go. In almost 20 years of being together, and 15 of marriage, I have yet to find an argument that has been worth my marriage.

Jared and I had been married a whopping two years and he was deployed to Iraq. We got to talk a lot which in hindsight was probably a problem. We were looking at house plans and he got mad at me because I didn’t want to share a bathroom sink with him…. Yes, you read that right. We had a three day fight over a bathroom sink…. In an imaginary house. The irony is that both houses we bought? The master only has one sink.

But let me tell you, this man has my whole heart. I walked into loving him eyes wide open. I make the commitment every day to love him more than he loves me. That is what I worry about. I don’t worry about whether he loves me more, because he shows it. I don’t worry about letting things go because I stop myself before it becomes a big deal and talk to him. So before you go into a relationship remember one thing, you can only control you. So you need to make sure that you are doing everything you can to make the relationship work. Don’t let them walk over you, but also remember, you aren’t always right.

So for all the young couples out there, do yourself a favor. Don’t search for your soulmate. Find someone who treats you like a queen and work every single day to earn it.