From Vision to Reality and Eventually Legacy

Summer, 2024

As we stand at the top of our property and look out over the rows of blueberry bushes, across the meadow to the barn, and lift our eyes up to the mountains in the distance, we are simply in awe. When we (Rod and Lin) first laid eyes on the property it was just rolling hills, scrubby trees, overgrown grass, and a run-down, old tobacco barn. Fast-forward to 2024 and, by God’s grace, we have over one thousand blueberry plants, forty fruit trees, one hundred blackberry bushes, a beautiful array of cut flower varieties, three bee hives, and hearts that are full to the brim.

THE VISION

We began this journey 4 years ago with the goal of moving to a state we felt aligned with our values, brought us closer to one of our children, and provided the opportunity to organically grow food for our sustainability, but also to provide nutritious produce to the community as well. We prayed to find new friends (something many in our home state cautioned might be nearly impossible given that both Rod and I were both in our sixties) and hoped for a warm welcome, or at the very least, a pleasant acceptance. We knew the property would need work. A LOT of work. But we love a challenge, so with that, the property was purchased, plans were made to construct a home, and we begin deciding which plants to order.

THE REALITY

As is often the case when building a new home, construction was delayed. We now chuckle about the circumstances, but at the time, it was less than ideal. Our house is a lovely pre-constructed home that was delivered in two separate halves on the bed of two very large trucks. One day, while awaiting the arrival of the back half, we were informed that as the driver had been navigating the winding curves of the road to our house, the partially constructed house decided to take a leap off the truck bed and down a steep embankment! It was utterly destroyed, and required a complete rebuild. Well, our first reaction was admittedly dismay, but then we were reminded that all things do happen for a reason, so we thanked God for the reality of even being able to have a house on its way, and resolved to continue waiting patiently.

While waiting for our home, Rod and I lived in a small RV on the property part-time, while commuting back up North bi-weekly so Rod could run his business of 30-years. Some days we spent twelve hours digging holes and emptying bag after bag of soil, followed by carefully planting blueberry plants by hand, and other days we traversed route 81 for ten hours to return to the home state. It was simultaneously exciting and exhausting to say the least, but what you see today is the result of God’s graciousness coupled with blood, sweat, and a few tears.

Our first planting crew of family and friends, October 2021

THE LEGACY

We love to sit on our front porch at the end of a busy day and reflect on the miraculous design that brought us here to East Tennessee. We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds our future, and that gives us peace in a tumultuous and conflicted world. Our desire is for this property to nourish our family, provide the community with pesticide-free produce, to be a place where our grandkids can play safely, our Airbnb guests can relax, and where we can reflect on God’s goodness. This is our dream made a reality, and we hope we live long enough to see it become our legacy.

Picking blueberries to sell at Greeneville Farmer’s Market in 2024