Follow along on our Journey

From City Backyard to Thriving Homestead

Welcome to Grown on a Hill

Our Mission
To empower urban and suburban gardeners and homesteaders to reclaim self-sufficiency—nurturing soil, growing real food, and building resilient communities one patch at a time.

Core Values

  • Sustainability
    We steward the land through regenerative practices—composting, water-wise gardening, and organic methods—so that today’s harvest nourishes tomorrow’s growth.

  • DIY Spirit
    From pallet beds to wood-burned signs, we believe in rolling up our sleeves, repurposing what’s at hand, and inventing creative solutions that fit any budget.

  • Family & Community
    Homesteading is richer when shared. We prioritize connection—whether swapping seedlings with neighbors, teaching the next generation, or gathering around the table to preserve the season’s bounty.

  • Food Security
    Growing, preserving, and storing our own produce strengthens our resilience. We’re committed to equipping you with the know-how to feed your family, pantry-to-plate, even in uncertain times.

  • Joy in the Journey
    Beyond yield and productivity, we celebrate the small moments—first sprouts, egg-warm mornings, and laughter in the garden—that make homesteading a meaningful way of life.

Our Story 

Our Story: Cultivating Dreams into Reality

2015–2021: Seeding the Vision

When we moved onto our one-acre slice of urban land, it felt full of potential—and pitfalls. The yard was thick with brush, the sandy soil barely held a shovel, and deer treats loomed at every turn. Yet each spring, we’d plant another patch of hope, determined to coax life from that stubborn ground.

2022: Clearing the Way

A decision to hire professionals paid off in spades. In weeks, the overgrowth vanished, revealing sunlit space and room for beds. Suddenly, what had been a woodland obstacle became a blank canvas—our first real invitation to grow.

2023: Pallet-Powered Productivity

On a shoestring budget (and fueled by weekend sweat), we rescued old pallets and transformed them into 13 raised beds. Layer by layer—boards, soil, compost—we carved out rows of thriving veggies. With a sturdy fence guarding against hungry deer and an irrigation system my dad wired in, we watched sprouts turn into harvest, and the numbers on our whiteboard tracker climb week after week.

Late 2023: Branching Out with an Orchard

Inspired by our success in vegetables, we grafted in a backyard orchard of hardy apples, pears, and pawpaws. It was another step toward a self-sustaining ecosystem—one that could feed us long after the last bean was picked.

2024: Eggs at Dawn

When egg shortages struck local stores, we knew it was time to invite feathered friends to the homestead. Chickens—and soon quail—joined the flock, each new coop project teaching us more about design, predator protection, and the unmatched joy of gathering fresh eggs at sunrise.

Early 2025: Metal Beds, Farm Stand & Fencing

Building on what we’d learned, we upgraded to durable metal raised beds for better longevity and cleaner lines. A new perimeter fence went up to keep critters out—and neighbors in, as we opened our very first farm stand. Seeing passersby stop for fresh beans, jams, and wood-burned signs cemented that Grown on a Hill wasn’t just our sanctuary—it was becoming a community destination.

Today: Full-Time Homesteader in the Making

As I count down the days to my last corporate workday (August 7, 2025), Grown on a Hill has become more than a weekend passion project—it’s our family’s future. Here, creativity meets resilience, and every harvested carrot or crafted wood-burned sign marks another milestone on our path to real food, purposeful work, and community connection.

Meet Aubrey

Hey there—I’m Aubrey: a recovering corporate strategist who traded boardrooms for bird coops and spreadsheets for seed trays. When I’m not knee-deep in compost or tuning the drip irrigation, you’ll find me:

  • Crafting wood-burned signs for our farm stand (my latest design? “Beans & Dreams”).

  • Experimenting with new jam flavors—and taste-testing late into the night.

  • Tending my flock of chickens, quail, and the occasional curious duckling.

  • Journaling about life’s transitions as I transition to full-time homesteading.

I believe anyone—no matter how small their patch—can grow real food, build community, and find joy in everyday moments. My goal is to give you the tools, tips, and inspiration to make your own homestead dreams take root.

Ready to Join the Journey?

Stay in the loop with everything happening on the hill—no fluff, just real-time homestead updates and first-dibs on new projects and farm-stand openings.

What You’ll Receive:

  • Behind-the-Scenes Dispatches: Sneak peeks at current garden projects, coop builds, and orchard updates

  • Seasonal How-Tos: Step-by-step guides when each new project or planting window arrives

  • Farm-Stand Alerts: A heads-up when fresh produce, jams, or handmade signs are available

  • Personal Reflections: Short, candid notes on the wins and lessons of life between corporate and country