Change... More Than I Planned For

It has been almost a year since my last newsletter, “Change is Here – And It’s Full of Excitement.” At the time, I had no idea just how much change was ahead - 2025 has been a year of growth in every sense of the word!

One of the biggest milestones was the launch of FLAG – Fellowship, Learning, and Growing. That had been a vision on my heart for years, and with the help of my husband, a dear friend, and the timely arrival of new supporter, it finally came to life. With that, we explored changes to our website and market platform. While not everything stuck, it helped us gain clarity.

As far as the market platform, we stayed with our current one (locallygrown.net) - it has served us for nearly 20 years—a milestone we’re incredibly grateful for. We simply renamed it Side By Side Market but the domain/subdomain did not change: GreenFamilyFarm.locallygrown.net

And as far as the FLAG website, we decided the extra website just wasn’t needed. That website was originally created to also send out newsletters and keep up with FLAG member information. However, the Locally Grown site does all of that—and more. Instead, we incorporated FLAG info into the existing Green Family Farm site which is free and easily found when one uses Google to search for us. Check out the updates: Green Family Farm Webadorsite (Note: If you’re a current FLAG member, don’t worry—you’re being transitioned over as well, and we’re still keeping up with you.)

2025 also brought changes for me personally - both joy and heartbreak. We welcomed our first grandbaby into the world—she was born right here on the farm—which was incredibly special! At the same time, I experienced the loss of a close friend and farm partner who had been by my side for 5+ years. She was my cow-whispering partner, and when it came to the sheep, she had a shepherd’s heart—knowing each one by name, helping with milking, and even forming a special bond with one she trained. She also seeded the pastures better than any equipment we had—climbing right into the tractor bucket and spreading seed by hand. It became a shared routine, always ending in a sense of satisfaction and laughter. And, she was the first to bring the farm into the public eye in a way that went beyond photos - without her encouragement, I would have never launched our YouTube channel. We shared many early mornings together—those punchy, before-the-sunrise kind—where laughter came easy and even led to a few farm-inspired parodies: “Let Your Milk Flow” and “Give Me One Reason to Keep Farming.” We worked hard, laughed often, and walked through a lot of life on this farm side by side. Some of you who know me well know that her absence has left a solemn place in my heart. It was not that she left; rather, it was the way she left. Yet, in many ways, she remains part of this farm. For those who knew us, you knew that wherever I was, she was not far from my side. And, that is where I got the final inspiration behind the new name of our online market, Side By Side.

Those changes were not intentional, but ones that ultimately had to be embraced. As a result, I took a temporary sabbatical to grieve the loss of my dear friend and to be present with my new grandbaby, cherishing moments that cannot be recreated if missed.

Becoming a farmer brought change to my life 20 years ago (back when I had never even seen a brown egg, yet alone blue and green) and when one experiences something that changes their life so positively, they naturally want to share it. The Farm Lounge / Café became my space to do just that—and the timing of its opening could not have been more perfect. FLAG created a community that I was able to lean into during my own sorrows and joys this past year. In turn, many of you came to the farm and shared your own stories of joys and sorrows which was something I never expected, but truly welcomed as a source of comfort.

FLAG was created to invite people beyond simply shopping the farm—to step into it and experience it more fully. For that, it needed more than a website; it needed a real, physical space. So we built the Farm Lounge / Café here on the farm. From there, we thoughtfully considered what to call it and how to structure it in a way that avoided unnecessary risk or restrictions. That’s why FLAG operates as a private, member-based not-for-profit. This allows our members to support the farm intentionally, protects our freedoms, and keeps access to good food in the hands of our community.

Members are already enjoying the space as a place to gather, attend events, and simply be present—with the land and with each other. (And yes… it finally includes a bathroom, which feels like a big win after all these years!)

Not all changes in life are easy — but often, those are the seasons that shape us the most. Farming has taught me that again and again. And now, having a farm family to share it with on a more personal level has made it all the more meaningful.

If you’ve been with us for years simply shopping through the market—thank you. That continues just as it always has.
And if you feel called to experience the farm in a more personal way, we now have a place for that too. Since our soft FLAG opening last spring, we’ve grown to over 50 families—and it has been something really special to watch take root.
There is still room, and we would truly love to welcome you.

Thank you all, as always, for your incredible support. We're still here growing side by side with you!
Take care!
Sandra