This year, I stepped into a world I knew absolutely nothing about—farming.
My husband, Maxwell, has been a farmer his whole life. He grew up in it, living and breathing this work. But running a u-pick farm together has opened my eyes in ways I never expected. From apples, peaches, cherries, and plums to raspberries, blackberries, apricots, and corn—every fruit, every row, carries countless hours of unseen work.
The Work Behind the Harvest
What has amazed me most isn’t just the farming itself, but the way my husband steps into the retail/agri-tourism side of it all. He’s the first to greet customers with kindness, patient in answering endless questions, and intentional about making everyone feel welcome. The way he serves people—whether it’s a family picking fruit for the first time or a regular stopping by for peaches—so clearly reflects the servant heart of Jesus. It’s not just farming; it’s ministry in the everyday.
I’ve watched him pour himself into researching soil, sprays, tree varieties, fruit growth cycles, and retail strategies. I’ve seen the stress and sacrifice that comes with this life, the long hours, and the weight of responsibility he carries. And yet, every day, he shows up again. Farming is not easy—but somehow, he makes it look possible.
Through all of this, I’ve come to admire my husband more deeply than ever. His dedication, his perseverance, and his quiet strength humble me. I’ve learned that farming isn’t just about growing fruit—it’s about resilience, stewardship, and an unwavering faith that what you sow will, in time, bear fruit. One of the most beautiful parts of this season is watching him step into fatherhood. The way he kneels down with our son, showing him the peaches, or lifts him high to pick an apple. He’s teaching our little guy what hard work, faith, and care for God’s creation look like in action.
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” - Proverbs 22:6
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” — Colossians 3:23
God's Provision
Scripture reminds me: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Farming is the clearest picture of that truth I’ve ever witnessed. The work is slow and often unseen, but the harvest is worth it. God blesses the faithful work of our hands, even when it’s hard and tiring.
As a designer and photographer, I stepped into this life with zero farming knowledge. But what I’ve gained is perspective—a deeper respect for the land, for the work it requires, and for the God who provides in every detail. I’m grateful for my husband. I’m grateful for the lessons this life is teaching us. And I’m grateful for the reminder that no matter how hard the work may feel, we are never doing it alone.
“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.” - Proverbs 12:11
