There are no laws saying that one can’t lose their farm in June. It seems that one should be able to move in winter so to avoid missing even one precious day of the growing season, but that is not always the case. Our plans, goals, and dreams could be coming together in one incredibly synchronized song only to have the universe shake things up a bit. Nothing is permanent. Death, job loss, or home loss could change everything. Or a letter. We lost our home and our job in one swift typing of words. One couple had the power to crush what we were building.
We took a risk and spent almost all of our money on the wood stove so we wouldn’t freeze again this winter, and in advertising to build this farm and homestead. We have school groups scheduled, classes filling up, events that folks are excited about. I felt like this was really going to work. But I should know that even if you manifest something it doesn’t mean that it is a given to stay. Nothing is permanent.
I knew something was coming. There have been many signs that a farm and family here is not what they had envisioned after all. By simply doubling the rent, they made a fine statement. It is their property and they have the right to do so. We could get desperate or angry. We could panic. We could feel like martyrs in the great world of small farmers trying to make it. But, then we wouldn’t see the opportunities that the universe is obviously bringing forth. Nature provides everything we need. I am not afraid.
These are the possible scenarios and choices that we have:
1. If anyone could change someone’s mind, it’s Doug. He is the most well-liked person I know. Everyone loves Doug. He wrote a letter back. I, personally, cannot see it changing their minds, but you never know. Well, I kind of know.
2. We miraculously (which is our middle names sometimes) find a farm this very week and get the gardens moved, get moved, and classes just get moved.
3. We find that piece of property someone will let us homestead, finance a shed and move on in.
4. We update our resumes, give up on all this simple living, and head back to suburbia and jobs. Or jail. You may as well send us to jail.
5. We sell everything we own. Head out driving across the country. Travel like we always wanted to do. Go visit friends, family, fellow bloggers, and farms along the way. We will document life on small farms across this beautiful country on our blog. See how other people live. Meet new friends, get inspired, find out what our next move is, write, be a couple, see the stars.
If the universe sent in a strong ripple that upset your entire life, lifestyle, plans, goals, and dreams, what would be your next move? Would you be brave and pursue something that could really impact your life? Or would you play it safe? What would you do?
Farmgirl School 
Oh Kate what can I say! My heart bleeds for you! Sell everything and travel around your beautiful country is the one. I just said to nick what would we do and that was his answer!
I really am not afraid. There are pros and cons with every decision but I know the best door will open!
We think that is our thought too. Get a tiny house and homestead in the spring. Go while we can!
BE STILL and listen. The Holy Spirit will guide your decision and write it on your heart.
And then you will have peace in whatever road you are to follow, and whatever trials and joys the journey brings.
Yours is one of our destinations. I look forward to meeting you in person!
Breathe. Know that you are loved and supported. And come for dinner on Friday. We are “cooking up” some options that you may be interested in but need a few days to see what bubbles up.
We are looking forward to dinner. We think we already know what we are going to do!
I hope whatever you choose to do won’t involve giving up the simple life. You are such an inspiration to those of us just starting out (especially myself.) I have gained a lot of valuable information from your blog. Hang in there!
We will NEVER give up the simple life. We are going to go visit other people living across the country to see more of the simple life and bring it to you via this blog!
I’m so sad to hear that your dream farm is coming to an end.
We have been living in the world of limbo for such a long time now, but I feel myself getting a little braver every day. We have taken a step forward by purchasing an RV. Recently, a family in our homeschool group purchased a similar RV and they are going to spend the next year on the road. They have a farm here in Central Illinois that they are leaving in search of where they want to farm next. That is what I would LOVE to do. Sell everything and spend the next year travelling the country. Allowing our girls to see and experience this vast and beautiful country we live in. Search for the place that feels like a home. A little plot of land in the country where we can grow our own food.
In whatever direction life takes you, I know you’ll make the very best of the situation. And if you should decide to head out on a travel adventure, I hope that adventure will bring you out our way. We don’t live the most simple life, but we still dream of living that life.
I’ll be in Illinois the last week in July!
Where exactly in Illinois?
I have no idea. That is the beauty of this plan! I have a penpal in Donovan. And wherever you live!
Donovan is a couple hours from us. My friend, Cecilia, doesn’t live far from there. She and her husband have a little farm raising chickens, goats, cows, pigs, guinea fowl, turkey and peafowl. She has a blog http://thekitchensgarden.com/ where she shares all her farming adventures. I’m absolutely confident you would love her blog and I am going to strongly encourage you to connect with her. I am 100% confident that she would love to have you visit her farm, meet her animals, and see her gardens. She is a lovely lady who is from New Zealand and she is as passionate about self-sufficiency as you are.
Truly I am so surprised and feel so bad for you guys because this happened to me six months ago. Our landlord called and told us they were moving back home. My husband said it felt like they were throwing us out like ‘trash’. It’s a horrible feeling. We sold our house that we were renting out to the in-laws (what a relief) then called a real estate agent. It was such a headache to rent to them and for us to rent out our own house, which was totally expensive 1650/mo.
I say to cut your losses and travel. Enjoy this summer and find a place you’d like to live that’s close your kids & precious grandbaby.
If you moved far away they would really miss you 😩
I am looking forward to the rest. Then a simpler start. A tiny house that travels. Less stuff. It is going to be fun! I can’t wait to write about it all.
Oh wow – isn’t it bizarre how the universe seems to have other plans for us? I can’t wait to read about your further travels. Stay in touch and when you find yourself on Vancouver Island, please let me know so we can get together for coffee and a long chat!
Sounds great!
I have written time and time again… You are an amazing inspiration to those who read your blog! I will be lifting you and Doug up in prayer this week. I look forward to reading about what amazing adventures you and Doug will embark on and praying for you on the way. BE BLESSED, BE AMAZING and CARRY ON!!!
I just love you, Liza. You are the one who led me to goats by leading me to Jill (who wanted Isabelle back anyway!) and helped us get this life. So thank YOU! I appreciate and love all of your support. Thank you.
I cant wait to see what you get handed next. My guess is this is a push to send you in a new direction waiting for you. Im still doing suburbia, with my backyard chickens and ducks and garden but we are hoping to jump ship soon and move to a farm…..soon means a couple years. but we have set real financial goals, and hopefully not much will slow us down.
What a shock it was for us to have made the financial goals, manifested this place, got a great business and farm going and bam, other plans from the universe. I think it is going to be better. Visiting, learning, resting, writing, and then in the spring get another small homestead in a tiny house. Or see where the universe takes us!
Me? I like scenario #2. I have always wanted to live on a farm and work the land and raise animals. My problem was finding someone who shared that same dream.
Well I have the farm, 19 acres in south central Minnesota. I am renting out 8 acres to a farmer, I have about 1/4 acre in garden this year, and I have chickens and geese for my animals. I also rent out my pasture land to a farmer for his sheep, so even though they are not mine I still have sheep on the place.
This year I also have bees. Oh, what fun! I am learning through the owner who needed a place for them. Ever since I got them, I have been running into people who want to do bees. We might have a bee club coming up next year.
I have never been happier than when I am on the farm. Oh, yes I did find a man who (kind of, sort of) wanted to live on a farm.
I think we will get the tiny house and smaller homestead this spring. It is too late to plant here or get things put up for winter so this is a great time to go visiting before we get the homestead up and running again!
I would definitely go traveling! If you get an RV you can live in that! Spring is a great time to restart.