Our Story

My husband, Mike, and I have carried around the identity of “athlete” for most of our lives. Even though we aren’t competitive athletes anymore, sports helped shape who we are and what we stand for. 

While we’ve added pieces to our identity that we are equally proud of — nutritionist, wife/husband, mother/father, coach, and teacher — we were ready for something new. 

Regenerative farming! That’s right. Athletes turned farmers. 

2020 was anything but “normal.” One could argue it was filled with uncertainty, worry, and unrest. Or, one could argue that was a year of opportunity — a wake up call, a slap in the face, a disruption from complacency! 

As our family sat together in quarantine that spring (grateful to have each other to sit with), we embraced the pause. We took a deep look at how we were living, how our society was living, and where our world was headed.

Despite recognizing that the “rat race” wasn’t healthy, we were stuck right in the middle of it, with not enough time for the things we valued most. We were watching health, happiness, and nature crumble around us … and for what? 

We have lived the life of excess, of consumption, of convenience. We have witnessed fame, fortune, and power. It comes at a cost! It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.

Mike and I felt a simultaneous need to be a bigger part of the solution. It was time to stop complaining, get a little uncomfortable, and start doing more.

We saw an open door for change and purchased an abandoned ranch in Western Montana. 

A place for planting, nourishing, cultivating, preparing, preserving, and cherishing homegrown food. A place for using only what we need, giving the rest back to the Earth, and embracing a simpler life. A place for connecting to nature, connecting to food, and connecting to community!

From day one we've been striving to work in rhythm with nature, celebrate the diversity in plants, animals, and people, and invest in practices that ensure health for future generations.

While it’s no longer about being the best gymnast or basketball player, it’s about being the best stewards of the land, part of the natural system, and modern day pioneers to leave the Earth a little better than we found it.

Can we really build this vision without a background in farming, agriculture, or ranching? 

As a young gymnast, I would always tell myself, “If those other girls (those I was inspired to be) can do it, there’s no reason why I can’t figure out how to do it, too!” Well, I’m tapping back into my inner child and we are running with the faith that YES, we can figure this out.

If not you and me, then who?

We are in this together!

To learn more about our story and the journey so far, check out the RRFF Blog!