#98: From City Life to Farm Life: How Jessica Lewis Built Back to Roots Farm
“Teaching classes and being able to plant the seed itself for other people to get excited for things that have been lost in our generation has also just been something that has brought tons of happiness and joy.”
Today on the Farming on Purpose podcast, I had the pleasure of talking with Jessica Lewis, owner of Back to Roots Farm. Her journey from city girl to farmer and educator is one that shows how following your passion can lead to unexpected places.
Jessica didn't grow up in agriculture - she's actually from Tallahassee, Florida, where she lived a typical suburban life. But she always had a romantic view of farming, and after meeting her now-husband from a small town, she found her way to Thomasville, Georgia.
"I ran to the farm as quick as I could," Jessica laughs. And she didn't exactly start small - her first venture into farming was with bottle baby goats. "That's not your typical entry animal into agriculture," she admits. From there, things snowballed into chickens, quail, pigs, and a garden for selling produce.
Building a Business Around Family
What started as a hobby quickly grew into something more. Jessica found herself with extra products at the end of growing seasons and kidding seasons. Rather than let things go to waste, she started selling to friends and family. Word spread, and soon she had strangers tracking her down to buy goats.
But markets change, and Jessica learned to change with them. When the local market became flooded with Nigerian Dwarf goats, she pivoted to chickens and soap making. A family friend shared an old soap recipe with her, and that opened up a whole new direction for the business.
"I want to do all the things," Jessica says. "I have a hard time saying no." That enthusiasm has served her well as she's expanded into teaching classes on everything from soap making to canning.
Farming with Kids
Jessica's seven-year-old daughter is already following in her footsteps. "She's very much like me - wants all of the animals, all of the gardening," Jessica shares. "My husband has said we're not allowed to go to farm swaps or livestock auctions alone anymore, because last time we came home with rabbits randomly!"
Her daughter has grown up with the lifestyle, sitting in Jessica's lap at 18 months old while bottle feeding baby goats. Her 18-month-old son is just starting to experience farm life, mainly by eating everything they grow.
Learning the Hard Way
Jessica is honest about the learning curve. "I've done all the incredibly stupid things," she admits. "I didn't know anything about goats, and here I was with two bottle babies trying to figure it out. My vet made a really good penny off of me the first two years!"
That experience is part of why she's so passionate about teaching others now. "It's not like it used to be where you could go down the road and have a neighbor that's raising goats or chickens that you could ask questions to," she explains.
Looking Forward
Today, Back to Roots Farm offers classes in soap making, canning, and various homesteading skills. Jessica plans to add more classes on processing animals, bread making, and other traditional skills that people are eager to learn.
"I get excited over other people's excitement," Jessica says. "If somebody comes to me asking if I know how to do something, I'm like 'I do! And I would love to teach you!'"
For those interested in starting their own farming journey, Jessica's advice is simple: start small. "It's easier to grow than it is to try to scale back," she says. "And you're going to be just fine. It's all going to work out."
You can find Back to Roots Farm on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, or visit their website to learn more about their classes and products.
More from Farming on Purpose
I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find the right piece of land to start or expand your operation. That's why I'm excited to share a valuable resource I've helped create with thetinylife.com. We've put together a comprehensive guide full of innovative ideas for finding land, no matter where you are in your farming journey. Whether you're just starting out, looking to expand, or hoping to carve out your own space on an existing family farm, this guide has something for you. You'll discover new avenues to explore and strategies you might not have considered before. As a bonus, thetinylife.com offers a wealth of information on minimalism, gardening, and property planning – all great tools for any farmer. To access this land-finding guide, just visit thetinylife.com/fop.
If you are interested in signing up for the Marketing Routine class, do so here!
If you would like to support the podcast or be a part of the conversation join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.
Check out our favorite software tool for clients and our website!
Thrivecart is a software tool you can use to design online checkouts with every option you can dream up. You can sell physical and digital products, connect to loads of other softwares you use for your website, accepting payments, email marketing, and more. This is the most powerful tool I use and the lowest cost one. I recommend it for anyone who accepts online payments who wants to increase their revenue or average order value.
I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.
You May Also Enjoy
#16 Building a Homestead with Terra Larsen of Everest Acres
#54 Growing a Heritage Sheep Operation in California
#70 For the Kids: From City to Farm
About your host:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Rate, Review & Follow on Apple Podcasts
