THE SIMPLE FARM - REFLECTIONS on 2024

This week has been a time of reflection, prompting us to look back not only on the past 12 months but also on how it all started back in 2010 when Michael and I, in our mid-50's, first stepped onto this weed-choked land. It wasn’t the fruitful farm you know today as The Simple Farm—it was a blank canvas, waiting to be transformed.

 

We had some gardening knowledge, but nothing could have fully prepared us for the journey ahead. From a weekly Farmer’s Market to gardening classes, honeybees, chickens, delivering baby goats, milking goats, making our farm's sea salt caramels, and cheese —all in the middle of Scottsdale suburbia—we took the opportunity to carve out something unique.

 

In those early days, we discovered the beauty of connecting with our community—not just through the gardens or the animals but also around the table with people.

 

Over time, this farm became more than just a project; it became a place of connection—with our Creator, and His creation - not the least of which, His most glorious creation: you and me.

 

 

In January, Michael invited his kid’s choir come to the Farm to rehearse for a recording session. These kids from CYT (Christian Youth Theater) joined an elective music class that Michael taught and had the thrill of going into the recording studio to record some of the songs that he wrote.  Check it out here.

 

At the start of spring, we hosted the Beauty and Wellness Gathering at the farm—a quiet morning designed to nurture the soul. Women arrived for coffee and freshly baked pastries, ready for slow - down moments of peace and reflection. Some found secluded garden nooks to journal, while others wandered through the farm’s hidden corners, to find a pocket of beauty and peace. A few crocheted under the sunshine, and others nestled into the gardens for prayer and quiet renewal.  We offered gift tickets to several women, ensuring they too could experience this time of restoration. Altogether, we were honored to welcome and serve over 35 women in this celebration of beauty, community, and well-being.

 

Spring was full of beauty, joy, and growth. We added Preschool Farm Mornings for moms and preschoolers, welcoming around 40 little ones to the farm who got to interact with our newborn baby goats. There’s nothing like seeing the wonder in a child’s eyes as they get baby goat kisses, gather eggs from hen boxes, feed cherry tomatoes to the chickens, or watch honeybees buzz in and out of their bee boxes. It just so happened to be mulberry season, and the little ones filled their baskets and stuffed their mouths with the sweetest mulberries.They were also quite fascinated with our stock tanks filled with goldfish.

 

In March, we hosted a Pottery Workshop where 8 of us gathered around the table to learn the art of creating a bowl using the pinch pot method. 

 

One starlit April evening, we hosted around 70 guests for a multi-course fine-dining experience crafted by Chef Adam Allison. Strangers came together around the table, and by the end of the night, many departed as friends. It was an unforgettable evening, rich with meaningful conversation and genuine connection. * This was the dinner that an 10 year old Chef in Training came to. Read about it here.

 

May was the month of roses. Almost overnight, the rose gardens burst into bloom, and with it came the fulfillment of a dream. One fragrant morning,15 of us gathered for the rose distillation experience. I loved seeing the women meander through the rose gardens with baskets filled with rose petals. For the first time, we produced our own farm’s Rose Hydrosol, which we’re excited to soon offer in the farm shop. It was magical.

 

The grueling hot summer caused us to slow down but also to prepare for our October farm to table dinner where we hosted over 50 guests.

 

In the midst of all these projects, I can't count the number of times I invited women to our farm who bought my sourdough starter and needed a little help to get started. 

 

We've also invited people over whom we sensed just needed to break away from the buzz and sort things out as we practiced good listening. We noticed that being on a farm setting has a way of opening up one's soul. The heart of what we do is to care for people in ways which are not always “calendared in."

 

In December, we invited the community to join us for our annual Caroling, Coco and Cookies evening where we sang Christmas Carols and read the Christmas story. 

 

Looking forward to 2025, Michael is working on recording some of his songs and when finished, will send to you, our Friends of the Farm donors, as a thank you gift. The CD, Songs from The Shepherd will be a compilation of spiritual songs he’s written over the years. 

 

Michael, a gifted songwriter, has touched countless lives with his music, including his first published song, You Are My Hiding Place, released in 1981, and has gone all over the world to bring comfort and encouragement to many.

 

With donors like you, all of these projects have been possible. Your generosity has paved the way for us to grow, create, and open this space to the community and for that we are deeply grateful. 

 

May your New Year be filled with slow - down moments to enjoy the often missed ordinary blessings that surround you. **