Our story.

Rather Rooted Family Farm is a hope turned to fruition in 2023. Our mission statement is the heart of the dream: Cultivating a natural family farm yielding quality goods worthy of your endeavors. From our field of 1700 specialty dahlias to our rows of medicinal herbs to our vegetable and orchard harvests, our one acre homestead is the finish line of a long road of many choices to lead us here. We were presented with forks where we had to choose through intuition and contemplation which we would rather (Rather). It took time to settle in and find our focus, and once we found it, we knew it was time to root in, trust the process, and flourish (Rooted).

Rather Rooted is truly a Family Farm. While I, Jacki, am the dreamer, planner, and grower, each part of our family plays their role. As a homeschooling family, we have embraced a lifestyle of learning through doing and doing it together:

• None of the vision would be possible without my professional helper, my husband, Pete. From irrigation to gopher duty to reality checker, he was volunteered into a second job supporting this dream.

• Then there’s our son, Archer, the best little weeder around who also loves planting (and can school anyone with his plant knowledge). His work ethic is innate and infectious.

• Next, our middle child, Eva. Oh Eva. The firecracker. She keeps us on our toes and keeps a smile on our faces. She is super “helpful”, creating hurdles like any 4yo should be.

• Our new, sweet and serious Ayla joined us January and is folding into the mix seamlessly in such a positive way, reminding us how fast everything moves. She is the beautiful reason that this 2025 season will be simplified with fewer crops.

• I could never forget mentioning my mama, my inspiration for it all—the woman who taught me to garden. She is my right-side grower in the field, spending long planting and harvesting days together. I know I will always cherish the hours in these fields with her.

• My dad and sister helped make these fields happen, volunteering their hours, backs, and blisters to help us hit our goals. They join in on tuber dig and divide parties as well as shipments.

• The circle of support extends to the friends that have become family. I have never in my life felt more supported than I do now. We have an incredible village to do this life with.

  This farm is my heart. It has taken several years of reprogramming and finding my direction after leaving my 15 year teaching career. Witnessing love from corners of my life come to hold me up through this creation… well, there is only one word that truly fits… it’s Family.