Land Steward-in-Training
Maker-at-Heart
Creative Explorer
1 part farmer
1 part maker
& a generous dash of bold ambition
When I'm not on the farm, I'm thinking about the farm. Most days you'll find me on our 10 acres in Southwest Oklahoma with my husband, working the land, crafting florals, or chasing whatever creative spark comes next.
There's always something new happening on the farm, and I love having people along for it. The Farm Journal is where I share the good, the scary, and everything in between.
how we got here
The Sunset Ridge Story
2005 - 2016
I spent time during summers and weekends helping him plant, prune, harvest, and even deliver grapes to Oklahoma wineries. Those early days taught me the rhythms of the land and planted a seed (pun completely intended) for the love of farming that would grow over the years.
My dad bought the land and established a 10-acre vineyard here in Southwest Oklahoma after some post-retirement trips to France awakened an interest in growing grapes and making his own wine. He made excellent wine, and he was very generous to share, haha!
The Vineyard Is Estabilished
2016
I took a summer horticulture class at a local university, and something just clicked. I’d always loved being on the farm, but this was the moment my curiosity about plants, soil, and growing practices really took root (again, pun intended.)
A Spark Ignites
2017
Taking on Stewardship
When we lost my dad in 2017, I co-managed the farm with my mom and a few of my brothers. Together, we pruned, maintained the vineyard, and kept things running. It was too difficult for us to manage the amount of work required from afar while keeping up with our corporate and family responsibilities, so we made the difficult decision to auction the land and equipment.
2018
We worked tirelessly to make the land “presentable” for the auction. The equipment was first sold to many locals, and then the land was sold to a couple out of state. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was a God-send when the land deal fell through, and it became clear that it was time for us to purchase and become the next stewards of this land.
While it was both challenging and emotional, it gave me a sense of responsibility for the land and the farm’s future.
Exploring Regenerative Farming
Through mentorships, courses, and conversations with experienced farmers and land stewards, I began building a network that helped put language and structure around what I already believed about caring for the land.
2020
The Farm Became Ours
After years of learning and dreaming, we officially purchased the vineyard.
Owning the farm meant making big plans for its future, from regenerative practices to expanding what we could grow and share.
2022
Renovation Begins
Programs like the Sand County Foundation’s Land Ethic Mentorship, ATTRA’s NCAT: Women, Livestock, and the Land training and cohort, other online courses, and plenty of late-night research (plus regenerative/organic guidance from my brother, Toby) helped shape my approach.
Not every suggestion fit… and that was okay.
Learning to trust my instincts, ask questions, and keep refining what felt right became just as important as the practices themselves.
We began the demo, renovation, and remodel of the farm building to create a home on the land. While the process came with its fair share of challenges, the vision of living where creativity, nature, and everyday life could intertwine kept us moving forward.
We’re still building the life I’d long imagined, one project at a time.
2023
Moving In
We officially moved onto the farm full-time, ready to live and work on the land every day (well, every day the weather allows).
Being on-site allowed us to understand the property's seasonal cycles better and make more thoughtful decisions about its future.
2025
First Steps in Regenerative Practices
We began implementing regenerative practices, including silvopasture, by planting trees and cover crops.
These first tactical steps marked the beginning of transforming the vineyard and surrounding land into a more resilient, diverse, and productive system designed to support both the farm and the ecosystem over the long term.
Upcoming phases include welcoming sheep, planting additional fruit and nut trees, and expanding our perennial systems.
We’ll also be planting elderberry shrubs and adding green chop mulch within the vine and tree rows. Each new layer (literally and metaphorically) builds on what we’ve learned so far, continuing to support the health of the land today while laying the groundwork for the future.
2026 & Beyond
Why Regenerative Practices Matter
Regenerative practices go beyond simply not harming the land. They focus on helping it heal over time.
Instead of taking from the soil year after year, they rebuild healthy systems that support plants, animals, people, and the farm's future.
What This Looks Like At Sunset Ridge
Silvopasture
Integrating trees, shrubs, and future livestock into the vineyard creates a more resilient and productive ecosystem.
Agroforestry
Planting shrubs, fruit, and nut trees alongside other crops improves biodiversity, enhances soil, and supports long-term plant and farm health.
Cover Crops and Soil Care
Keeping the soil covered with plants or residues protects against erosion, builds organic matter, and strengthens the foundation for everything we grow.
Thoughtful Animal Integration
Managed grazing helps fertilize the land, improve soil structure, and stimulate plant growth while supporting a balanced farm system.
Every step we take on the farm builds on what we’ve learned.
The next phase includes expanding our silvopasture systems, planting elderberry shrubs, adding fruit and nut trees, and thoughtfully integrating livestock like sheep (and maybe a few duck or chicken friends, because why not).
These efforts are designed to create a resilient, biodiverse farm that supports healthy soil, abundant crops, and a thriving ecosystem. Our goal is not just to care for the land today but to leave it stronger and more productive for the future.
