From New England Roots to Arkansas Soil: Our Family’s Leap of Faith

There are moments in life that divide time into before and after. For our family, that moment came when we made the decision to relocate our farm from Peru, Massachusetts all the way to Springfield, Arkansas. It wasn’t just a move—it was a complete reimagining of our lives, our work, and our future.

Peru, Massachusetts will always be part of us. It’s where we learned the rhythms of land and seasons, where our family and farm first took shape. But over time, we felt the pull toward something different. We dreamed of more space to grow, a more sustainable path forward, and a place where our family—especially our daughter—could truly thrive. Arkansas began to call to us not as an escape, but as an opportunity.

The journey from New England to the South was long in every possible sense. There were miles upon miles of road, countless logistics to juggle, and no shortage of uncertainty. At one point, it became clear that for this dream to work, someone had to go ahead alone. So I came down to Arkansas solo for several months, leaving my family behind while I worked to establish the farm and lay the groundwork for our new life.

Those months were some of the hardest and most formative of my life. I learned the land, navigated local systems, set out for our new home, and made decision after decision without the comfort of having my people nearby. There were lonely days, overwhelming moments, and times when I questioned whether we could really pull this off. But each small win—every house checked off the list, every connection made—felt like a promise to my family that it would be worth it.

Back in Massachusetts, Matt was facing his own turning point. After years of demanding work in the roofing industry, he made the courageous decision to retire from roofing altogether. It wasn’t an easy choice—roofing had provided for our family—but it taxed his body and time in ways that just weren’t sustainable anymore. Stepping away meant stepping fully into farming, not as a side endeavor, but as his full-time calling.

When we were finally reunited in Arkansas, it felt like the missing piece clicked into place. Matt took to the land with the kind of dedication that can only come from years of hard physical work and deep purpose. Watching him transition into farming full time has been nothing short of inspiring. This isn’t just a job for him—it’s a way of life that aligns with who we are and how we want to show up for each other.

Perhaps the most beautiful part of this move has been watching our daughter, Layla, bloom in her new environment. Layla attends a school specifically designed for kids with disabilities, and the difference has been profound. She is supported, understood, and celebrated for who she is. She’s learning, growing in confidence, and showing us new sides of her personality every day. Seeing her thrive has reaffirmed, over and over again, that this move was the right one.

Relocating our farm wasn’t just about geography. It was about choosing a slower, more intentional life. It was about Matt’s health, Layla’s happiness, and creating a future that feels grounded—literally and figuratively. There were sacrifices, risks, and moments of fear along the way, but there has also been immense joy and gratitude.

Today, when I look out at our land in Springfield, Arkansas, I see more than crops and fences. I see resilience. I see teamwork. I see a family that took a leap of faith together—even when it meant doing parts of the journey alone—and landed somewhere that feels like home.

We’re still growing, still learning, and still building. But our roots are down, and for the first time in a long time, the future feels wide open. Through all of it—the uncertainty, the distance, the sacrifices—we have leaned heavily on our faith. We trusted that God was guiding each step, even when the path wasn’t clear. Looking back now, it’s impossible not to see His hand in the timing, the provision, and the way the right pieces came together at the right moments. This journey has reminded us that when we step forward in faith, He truly does make a way.