Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Audrey Christopher. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Audrey, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Life is full of challenges and change. When you encounter a blockade you can either roll up your mat and walk away, or put on your boots and work through it. My personality is a worker and an achiever, so quitting is generally not an option that crosses my mind. I’ve learned that grit and faith can out work skill and expertise. I may not be the best individual for the task but I will work my heart out to get it done, and that self determination will get me further than a skill that comes naturally.
Growing up, I always dreamed of being a farmer. People would ask me what my backup plan was for my life, and some still do. I’ve learned you can’t have a backup plan for a dream, or you’re already settling with the idea that you won’t succeed. I’ve had to face many challenges as a first generation, female farmer. Before purchasing our farm in Tennessee, I worked in various facets of the agricultural industry and constantly had to prove myself as a young woman in the field. I used to take offense to the nay-sayers but now I see it as an opportunity to change their mind about me.
Starting our farm and business was extremely challenging and continues to have new obstacles. It’s trial by fire, and degrees can only prepare you so much for reality. I’ve had to build fences on rocky terrain, carry injured livestock to safety, and get equipment unstuck by myself. The weight of a challenge may feel like a burden and I’d wish I had more help, money, or time, but having a negative mindset doesn’t benefit my productivity. Standing firm after being knocked down and having to pull myself through to the other side rewards itself with immense pride and gratitude for getting through it. When a visitor complements my fence, I smile and remember exactly how many t-posts I manually set in the dead of summer. Pro tip- if you can, build your fences during a cool season.
My resilience didn’t develop overnight. It took me overcoming each challenge, one by one, over years. Those small wins will give you the confidence to take on bigger problems and know that you can handle it. The only one who can establish resilience is yourself. There’s always an easy way out, but you can’t grow and better yourself that way. Surround yourself with people who have the same mentality and will encourage you to passionately chase after your goals.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I own and operate Christopher’s Overlook, an educational farm in Clinton, Tennessee. Our business has evolved over the years, starting with online experiences where guests could Zoom with goats during COVID, to now offering sustainability consulting and micro events. My goal is to be a hub where our community can come and learn about agriculture. I want to give them a face behind a farmer and build trust. The more they know about how deeply farmers care for their land and animals, the more they will want to preserve American farmland. I had farm mentors when I was young who poured their knowledge and time into me. I want to give back and do the same for the next generation of farmers and conservationists. If anyone is looking to break into the industry or a new farmer could use some assistance, I’m passionate about consulting and mentoring.
This fall will look different from last year. Our next event, Wellness Evening at the Farm, is September 15th. Join us for a peaceful evening of goat yoga, thai massage, and shop at our local vendor market. Aside from events, we offer off-farm goat visits for individuals or companies that want to bring a goat to a party or community event. Our most social goat, Tom Hanks, enjoys going out in public and lives for the limelight. We’d love to be part of your next celebration!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I believe that networking, continuing education, and the ability to pivot were very impactful in my journey. Expanding your personal and professional community will open many new doors for you. I joined our local organizations including the Chamber of Commerce and Farm Bureau. It’s uncomfortable to start a business in a town you just moved to, but getting the support of your community will make it a lot easier.
I am a lifelong learner that enjoys mastering new skills and expanding my knowledge. I completed two graduate school programs that provided the groundwork and general knowledge to start my farm. I also attend local events and workshops to get guidance and tangible steps to expand and improve my farm. There is always more to learn and the industry is constantly evolving.
I’ve learned that pivoting and adaptation are essential for staying successful as a new business owner. If a product isn’t working out, I make changes and keep moving forward. Keeping up with market trends is hard but the market is my customer base, so it’s essential I learn to create services or products they are interested in utilizing.
My best advice for a new business owner or farmer would be to get involved in every organization and program that aligns with your interests. You will make friends and build business collaborations. Sign up for continuing education events as well. Your local UT Extension program offers a wide variety of educational classes and workshops. Lastly, don’t get stuck in your own way of doing something. Try new approaches and experiment with what works for your market.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
We are always looking to collaborate with other businesses, individuals, or educational organizations. There are a variety of ways someone could partner with us. Local photographers use our farm for photoshoots, and we’d be happy to open our doors to more. Reach out if you’d like us to bring Tom Hanks the goat to your event. He’s been to farmer’s markets, parades, private events, and more! If you are looking to formally learn more about agriculture or to improve a starting operation, I can offer my knowledge and expertise through our consulting services. For educational organizations looking to spread agricultural awareness, we enjoy being an ‘agvocate’ and provide a variety of virtual and in-person educational experiences. We can help create a program, product, or curriculum that fits their needs. I have a dream of partnering with a school or university to use our land as part of their students’ research. We welcome any and all collaboration. Email me at [email protected] with any ideas and I’d love to help however I can.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ChristophersOverlook.com
- Instagram: @ChristophersOverlook
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChristophersOverlook
Image Credits
Morgan Trammell Photography, Auston Christopher, Cheyenne Nichol
