For more than two decades, military service shaped our family’s life. Michael served for 26 years, and like so many military families, we became accustomed to new duty stations, new communities, and new beginnings. We lived in North Carolina and Texas and owned homes in both places, but military life always carried the understanding that another move could be ahead.
Long before our marriage and throughout our years together we had each lived in places across the country and around the world. We learned to adapt, build relationships quickly, and make the most of wherever we were planted. But permanence was something different.
Brewster, Washington, was the first place that truly felt like home. It was small, rural, and far from many of the places we had known before, yet it gave us a sense of belonging we had rarely experienced. We were living full-time in our RV there when COVID-19 reached the United States in March 2020.
By June 2020, we began making our way back toward this part of the country. In December, we purchased 31 acres in Cherokee County, South Carolina, despite having no family here, no history here, and no previous connection to the land. We moved onto the property on February 1, 2021.
The land was beautiful. But it was not home yet. Home had to be built.
When we first walked the property, we felt opportunity, fear, possibility, exhilaration, and relief from the unknown. We explored trails, bridges, creeks, and eventually discovered a small rocky waterfall hidden in the woods. Before we imagined a business, we imagined our children growing up here exploring the land, building memories, and having a place they could always return to.
At first, the farm began simply. We called it 31 Acres Farm. We planted in grow bags, added chickens, and began learning what the land could become. Then, in January 2022, Carly attended a “What to Expect When Expecting” workshop at Whispering Pines Farm. That day changed the direction of everything.
With a professional background as a labor and delivery nurse and lactation consultant, caring for mothers and newborns was already deeply familiar. Those skills translated naturally to helping dairy sheep and goats through pregnancy, birth, nursing, and recovery. A calling that had once lived in a hospital found a new home on the farm.
Over time, Ewe on the Farm grew into more than a place where food and animals are raised. It became a place where guests could stay, learn, ask questions, try something new, and be welcomed into real farm life.
Our years of military moves and RV travel taught us what it feels like to arrive somewhere new. We know the difference a warm welcome can make. That experience now shapes everything we do from farm stays and Harvest Hosts visits to classes, workshops, events, and the simple conversations that happen while walking through the garden or standing beside the sheep.
The name Ewe on the Farm is a play on words: “ewe” sounds like “you.” At its heart, the name is an invitation. It means you are not merely visiting a farm from a distance. You are invited to experience it, learn from it, and become part of the story.
We’ve been incredibly blessed with this farm, and one of the greatest joys has been being able to share it with others.
Ewe on the Farm did not begin as a business plan or a destination. It began with our family looking for a healthier, more intentional way to live. We wanted to grow food, raise animals, teach our children the value of hard work, and provide more of what our family needed right here at home.
What began as a way to feed and care for our family gradually became something much bigger than we had imagined.
As friends, neighbors, and visitors spent time here, we realized that many people were looking for some of the same things we had found. They wanted a closer connection to their food, the opportunity to learn practical skills, and a chance to slow down and experience farm life but they did not always have the land, the time, the resources, or the know-how to create it for themselves.
That is when our vision began to change. We realized this farm was not meant to be enjoyed only by our family. It was meant to be shared.
Long before Ewe on the Farm began welcoming guests, service, education, and caring for others were already central parts of our lives.
Michael spent 26 years serving in the United States Army while also working as a Physician Assistant.
Carly spent her career as a Labor and Delivery Nurse, Lactation Specialist, and Childbirth Educator, helping families welcome new life into the world and supporting parents through one of life’s most meaningful seasons.
Throughout our careers, we’ve had the privilege of working with people from many different backgrounds and cultures. Those experiences taught us that hospitality begins with making every person feel welcomed, respected, and at home. That’s something we hope every guest experiences when they visit Ewe on the Farm.
Looking back, we can see how those experiences prepared us for this chapter. Teaching has always been part of who we are. Caring for others has always been part of who we are. The farm simply gave us a new place to do both.
Today, Ewe on the Farm is a family-owned teaching farm where we invite others to come share life on the farm with us.
That may mean staying overnight, attending a workshop, joining us for a special event, learning a traditional skill, or simply spending time away from the busyness of everyday life.
Sometimes it’s gathering eggs.
Sometimes it’s preparing a meal with ingredients harvested just steps from the kitchen.
Sometimes it’s cutting fresh flowers from the garden to brighten the table or inspire creativity.
Sometimes it’s learning to care for our East Friesian dairy sheep.
And sometimes it’s simply sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee and good conversation.
Those moments may seem simple, but they are often the ones people remember long after they have gone home.
We do not expect every guest to leave wanting to own a farm. We simply hope they leave with a deeper appreciation for where their food comes from, the confidence to try something new, and meaningful memories made with the people who matter most.
Our farm continues to grow and change with each season, but one thing has remained the same we love sharing it.
Our hope is that when you visit Ewe on the Farm, you won’t feel like you’ve simply arrived at a business. We hope you’ll feel like you’ve been welcomed into our home. Because that’s exactly what we’re doing.
What began as a way to feed our family became a place where we could share what we’ve been given. Our door is always open, and we hope you’ll come share life on the farm with us
