On a blustery winter day in Southwest Michigan, the farm keeps moving. From early-morning chores to a crockpot full of stew, this is a look at what pasture-based farming really means when the pastures are covered in snow. Winter doesn’t pause the work, but it does reveal the quiet, steady care behind how this food is raised.
Each new year brings a lot of noise about who we should be and how we should live. For the past few years, Renee has chosen to step away from resolutions and instead hold onto a single word that helps guide the year ahead. This reflection looks back at what last year’s word revealed, why simple and steady habits still matter, and how those ideas shaped something new we’re sharing from the farm as we move into another year together.
The weeks around Christmas are some of the fullest of our year. Full freezers, full days, full hearts. As we moved through the rush of holiday orders, winter chores, and time gathered around tables with people we love, we were reminded why this work and these moments matter. This reflection looks back on a season of hard work, shared meals, and deep gratitude, both on the farm and at home, as we step into a new year.
We won an award! We are thankful and honored the Cass County Conservation District recognized Renee Seelye with the Ag Educator of the Year award for 2025. In December Renee & Nick were able to attend the Conservation Districts' monthly board meeting to meet some of the team members behind the program, and accept the award.
As the rush of turkey week faded, your farmer Renee finally had a moment to breathe and gather her thoughts. Writing in the middle of the chaos didn’t feel right, so she waited for a quieter moment. Now that the season has settled, she’s ready to share what’s been on her heart. Here’s where her gratitude led her.
A rough cut on the meat slicer forced our family to slow down, reshuffle chores, and step into moments we might’ve otherwise missed. One of those moments led us into the woods together, where the kids learned what it means to harvest an animal with respect and the adults gathered around firelight swapping wisdom and laughter. It’s a story about how hardship can open the door to unexpected joy, and the way those small, shared experiences shape us.
Our grass-fed beef program has grown slowly and intentionally over the years, shaped by different breeds, plenty of trial and error, and a whole lot of care for the land. From Chloe the snowbank calf to the Herefords finishing on cover crops today, the herd has become a big part of our farm’s rhythm. This update shares how the program has evolved, why prices look the way they do, and what it means to raise beef in a way that supports the soil, the animals, and you.
This reflection honors the strength and grit my mom carried through decades of farm work, long before any of us were big enough to help. The physical toll of that life finally caught up with her, and she’s now recovering from back surgery with the same determination she brought to every chore. If you’d like a glimpse into her story and the heart she’s poured into this farm, this update shares a little of that love.
