Rooted in personal health journeys and a deep desire to serve the next generation, Alex & Shené are first‑generation, raised‑bed farmers building a small but intentional farm centered on nourishment, education, and connection. From herbs grown for holistic healing to eggs, baked goods, and cut flowers shaped by community needs, their work reflects a philosophy of working with what the land allows while creating a space that feeds not just the body, but the mind and soul—inviting others to slow down, learn, and reconnect with where food truly comes from.
Alex & Shené, as first generation farmers starting a small raised bed farm, what inspired you to begin this journey and build something rooted in the land together?
Our purpose has always been centered on serving communities, especially the next generation. We started growing food in our own backyard due to the health issues our family faced personally. Because of the value it provided to us, we felt it was our duty to make sure we assisted others with understanding where their food comes from and how that food affects their bodies. As our desire to provide food education grew, so did our need to have land to produce more food to share with others.
You’re growing herbs for both culinary and medicinal uses — how do you decide what to plant, and what excites you most about working with herbs?
Our herb selection is based upon the needs of the local and surrounding communities, but we also are choosing herbs that benefit the body holistically. Herbs serve a variety of purposes that naturally heal, rejuvenate, and provide nutrients needed for the body.
Beyond herbs, you offer farm fresh eggs, homemade baked goods, and now cut flowers — how has your farm evolved as you’ve learned what your community connects with?
As our needs grew as homesteaders, our list grew as to what we could and should provide to our community. The evolution of our farm has been mostly based upon our experiences, as we continue to grow and learn. We have enjoyed and been successful in raising chickens for eggs. Baking has been a passion and having farm fresh eggs to enhance homemade baked goods just made sense. We already understood the importance of having flowers for the benefit of attracting pollinators for plant production and their natural beauty. Cut flowers just became another piece of that puzzle that would make our farm more inviting to more people.
What have been some of the biggest lessons or surprises you’ve experienced as new farmers building this from the ground up?
Our biggest lesson has been working with what you have and with what you know. Our land is nothing but rock. We can dig maybe an inch before hitting limestone. Our past experience growing in raised beds prepared us for this new journey. Therefore, we consider ourselves raised bed farmers! Beyond that, figuring out our focus and how to do it logistically has been a big learning curve.
Looking ahead, how do you envision your farm growing, and what kind of impact do you hope it continues to have on the people who support it?
We envision our farm becoming a place where people can obtain farm fresh products, but also nourish the mind and soul. Our goal is to make our farm a place for people to visit and have meaningful experiences through education, exercise, and relaxation.
