Tessa Chittle never thought she would be a homesteader. Besides a brief volunteer position on an organic farm and an off-grid lifestyle as a very young girl, she had no farming experience. Her husband, Ian, is a licensed counselor with a deep passion for environmental protection, yet he’s always had a tough time keeping plants alive! The importance of real food, sustainability, connection and community came to the forefront in 2013, when they discovered they were pregnant with their daughter.
The concept of being parents clarified their family values: giving their child a place where she’ll grow up with a sense of where food comes from, how nature provides in many ways, and how creative power can embolden one to discover and become one’s truest self. The Chittle’s envisioned a lifestyle where they could allow these values to become a reality, so they bought six acres in an area they’d never explored before and with relatively low monthly expenses, they began the ongoing balancing act of being entrepreneurs while growing their own food and caring for the land and animals.
For the Chittles, some of the most rewarding things about owning a farm is the creative process of making things, finally getting to eat the chickens or tomatoes they’ve raised, and little things like the mist of the garden hose over the garden. It is these ordinary moments of mindfulness throughout the day that provide the most fulfillment and joy for Tessa and her family. But it isn’t the easiest life. She says, “although self sufficiency is empowering, farming can not be done alone. It’s been a challenge to build a farm community and support in an area in which we are new and in a society where farming is not as mainstream as it used to be. There is only so much time in a day for homesteading projects when you still have to earn money off the homestead… after all, health insurance doesn't take payment in zucchini!”
At two-and-a-half, Aza is an enthusiastic member of the team. She helps Mom and Dad with much of what they do every day: water and feed animals (the pigs and a rooster named Hazel are family favorites), pull weeds, collect eggs, harvest and preserve vegetables. She even helps her dad wash dishes at the end of a long day.
The Chittle Homestead is all about sharing the harvest through creating farm experiences for guests. Currently, the food produced at the farm is used to feed guests family style under stars, during summer campouts, harvest dinners, Easter picnics and during monthly homesteading workshops (see all upcoming workshops here). New in spring 2017, the Chittles will be hosting guests in Tiny House Farmstay experiences. Sound fun? You can pre-book a Farmstay vacation now via a GoFundme campaign (gofundme.com/thefarmstay).
Online: thechittlehomestead.com and @tessachittle on Instagram
