My friend Michael is a lovely musician as well as having the skill to lay an awesome walkway. Check out his music here: https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-darling-chief-ep/1731200720
Hey ya’ll, I’m Jess from Roots & Refuge Farm
Welcome to a place that feels like home. A small farm with a big family. We hope you’ll pull up a chair, grab some coffee and visit awhile.
There was a time that all I wanted in the world was a little farm where I could raise my family and grow our food. Now, that is exactly what exists outside my door. In watching it unfold, a new dream was formed in my heart – to share this beautiful life with others and teach them the lessons we’ve learned along the way. Welcome to our journey, friend. I am so glad you’re here.
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WHERE TO FIND US (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we’ll receive a small commission but the price remains the same – OR BETTER – for you! Be sure to check for any mentioned discount codes.)
– Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com
– Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup
– Join our Patreon to get early access to podcasts and other information, plus monthly LIVES with me and Miah: https://patreon.com/rootsandrefuge
– Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-still
– Shop our Stickers & Shirts: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop
– Order my first book, “First Time Gardener”: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook
– Order my second book, “First Time Homesteader”: https://rootsandrefuge.com/first-time-homesteader-yt
– Instagram: www.instagram.com/roots_and_refuge
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandrefugefarm
– Email Us: rootsandrefuge@yahoo.com
– To drop us a line:
PO Box 4239
Leesville SC 29070
– To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share
– To support us through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jessicasowards
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PRODUCTS WE LOVE – You’ve probably heard me talk about these things a million times, so here’s where you can order them (and get a discount with my code!):
– Greenstalk Vertical Gardens (Use code “ROOTS10” for $10 off your order): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-greenstalk
– Squizito Tasting Room (Use code “ROOTS” for 10% off your order): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-squizito
– ButcherBox: https://rootsandrefuge.com/butcherbox
– Growers Solution: https://rootsandrefuge.com/growers-solution
– Neptune’s Harvest Fertilizer: https://rootsandrefuge.com/neptunes-harvest-fertilizer
#rootsandrefuge
39 Comments
Hi Jess!! Love your videos. I had hair sheep until about a year and a half ago. Quick tip for spring and their shedding. Get the broom end of some large push brooms and hang them vertically with some screws. It acts like a brush and will help them groom the loose hair and also scratch the itchies shedding causes them. They'll love it!!
And you keep doing you. Your garden is gorgeous and you owe no one an explanation. ❤
Jess, I watch your channel for inspiration, for advice, and for fun. You and your family have obviously worked very hard to get where you are now, and that is an incredible achievement. Just keep on doing what you love and let the grouchy folks fall to the wayside. My garden will never be on the scale yours is, and that's ok. I'll still love it and we'll both eat well. Take care.
I’ve been here a very long time. Circa very early 2019. I remember when this (YouTube) community helped with your van repairs. I can’t remember if it was Venmo or a GoFundMe but I do remember the VERY humble beginnings of R&R and I have loved being apart of it in some small way, even as my life has changed drastically. In 2019 I was barely past the newlywed stage, a brand new mom, and I remember days of scrounging literal change to stretch our budget. I now have a 5 year old, I’ve owned a home, and lost my husband almost 3 years ago. Through widowhood and many stages in between, R&R has remained a place of serenity for me, a literal and metaphorical refuge. It’s been my place to land, the place that grounds me and continuously encourages me to dream, but to also be content in my waiting room. I went back to college in 2022 and am earning my doctorate. Through all of the life I’ve lived in the past 5 years, I’ve grown a garden. Largely because of this channel. And growing a garden has grown me, too. I so appreciate everything that R&R brings to this corner of the internet and you should never ever feel obligated to apologize for or justify blessings, especially ones that are a product of years of faithfulness and obedience. We love you!
I ENJOY YOUR PASSION….AND IT HAS HELPED ME, I AM NOT GROWING AS MUCH FOOD ..BUT YOU HAVE HELPED ME GROW AND LEARN HOW TO BUILD YOU AND MYA…SO KEEP GOING…AND ITHERS MONEY IS NOBODY'S BUSINESS..BUT YOUR OWN….AND HOME GROWN FOOD TASTE BETTER
I see nothing wrong with investing in your passion. It’s very clear that you live and breathe what you’re passionate about. It’s your life, not just a grocery bill.
A fish you caught yourself always tastes better than one you bought from a store. It takes me a couple of months to grow a cabbage and I can't even eat the whole thing before it goes bad. I don't care at all. Sometimes its cost effective and sometimes its not. That little wee hit of dopamine from cooking something that I produced with my own hands is worth every cent won or lost.
As I believe Jess is just too kind to be frank regarding the financial aspect of their farm… I’ll say it on behalf of her because I can 10000% relate… if you can’t relate to her that’s your problem not hers. If you can’t see the success and hard work and determination it takes to be that successful you’re missing the point here… it’s quite obvious that you can grow anything in any form or fashion that fits an individual’s needs or abilities but Jess allows the world to witness her passion and vision and helps others find their passion and visions just by giving a visual! You should feel excitement and happiness to see a person have nothing then work hard over years to then have abundance not jealousy. Go to work and have a goal. You can have abundance too.
I’ve watched your channel since you started and I’m glad that you and your family have been blessed by God. You and the knowledge you bring to this channel is awesome. Thank you so much for helping us learn in the classroom
I live in the middle if Indiana and I’ve grown up hearing ,punny, used since I can remember 😁
I love you!! I have been following you since Arkansas. I have learned so much from you! I do remember at one time there was going to be a TV special. I am curious as to what ever happened. I also
have been watching your new channel (Farmers Table) and watched the other day when you made simple syrup. My favorite part is that you make learning and fun and I feel like I know you. I am 70 and have a small place(8 acres) and a good size garden for the two of us. I grow about 96 tomato plants and usually share most with family and friends. We travel to see kids and grandkids, oh and 1 great… thus no critters. Keep inspiring us and thank again for not throwing politics into the mix like so many you tubers are doing these days! You have come a long way from that brick house in Arkansas… I did love that garden too! Keep reading , gardening, praying, parenting, raising critters and teaching us. Oh, my hubby says I am addicted to your channel and at 70 want to grow up to be just like you🤣❤️Bless you🌻
My garden brings me so much more fulfillment than a trip to the grocery store ever could. I love growing weird things and exposing people to them. It's brought me closer to my friends/neighbors and brings them as much joy as it does to me because they know they are free to come grocery shop whenever they want. My 93 year old widowed neighbor actually brings people over to my house to show them my gardens. I'm planning my 2024 garden around sharing it, the end that people can drive up to is going to have all the produce they usually want like a living grocery aisle. Growing in abundance to be able to bless my community is the best way I can spend my money and fills my heart with so much joy.
Awesome talk ❤
Growing food and “saving money” are two separate things. They can be achieved together but they’re not in exclusive relations!
I am soooooo grateful to R&R for my education and soooo grateful they have the resources to provide me (and countless others) with such life skills and wonder as seeds and soil.
Roots and Refuge is why I am here.
Wilder Still! ❤️❤️❤️
I've gotten so much inspiration and knowledge from your videos! ❤ My garden is substantially smaller, but bigger than I think most peoples gardens. I dream of having a bigger garden and more space for animals. Your journey inspires! And I'm grateful for you sharing it 😊!
I am glad that you are able to have your beautiful garden. It is so lovely and I enjoy your pleasure in it.
We have a modest little garden but I love it and I learn so much from you.
Ive been following you for a few years since arkansas . Yall have done beautiful . I lived in mountain view ar . Im back in louisiana .❤❤❤❤❤❤
My mother was born and raised in Wisconsin, married then moved to Minnesota where she lived out her life. She ALWAYS said "feeling puny" when one was sick. So its not just a southern thing. Maybe a farmer thing? She grew up on a farm. Her sister was a nurse and she said it too, so maybe it's a medical term! 😊
I’m sure it’s been mentioned, but also the minimal impact this family makes on the planet. Or the lowered risk of CA on her family due to lifestyle choices.
In my mind, I’d pay a fortune for a magic pill that would bring both those things.
At least your farm is putting in the labor and expense to achieve those things!!
Do you boo God Bless
Jess, the real point of this conversation of growing your own food, whether animal or plant, you know exactly what's in your food. We no longer know what's in the food we purchase. I've been watching you since your very first video content. I do miss you being the one in the garden and and how you were so excited over the abundance you were able to achieve. The moments of the added hardscapes you added, that I simply adored. When you left your farm, I cried knowing that it would be the last time I saw Jessica's beautiful garden. Things change and you are now exploring your forever dreams. So kudos to you for being able to fulfill those dreams. God bless!
Lol. Pueny for me , means something that is small.
Just love your true real self Jess. Don't let anybody in their reality get you down. You know what you're beautiful vision is and I love it that you'd do what you say is your passion in the same way no matter how much money you were able to make and save because you're growing your own food and being a content creator to support your family. Through your hard work and ability to connect with others you have an abundant and creative lifestyle. I'm glad you're not feeling guilty or defensive. Especially since you share so much with all of us.❤️
Hey @Roots and Refuge Farm, have you ever thought about adding rice to the marshy area. It would be a great environment for rice and a great use of that space!!
Having a passion for something far out weighs money….As well as a garden , I have horses too😜😜
Having a passion for something far out weighs money….As well as a garden , I have horses too😜😜
Having a passion for something far out weighs money….As well as a garden , I have horses too😜😜
2:33 😂
You invest your earned income any way that works for you. Building long term infrastructure in your long term home should be a priority for sure. Other people might enjoy faraway holidays or expensive hobbies..you do you! Everything you show can be scaled up or back as appropriate,the important thing is you are growing healthy nutricious food for your own family and others.
There's no doubt most of us can't live like you do nor have a garden as fancy as yours… but I can take something you teach or show me and scale it down to doable for me. I just have to not let it discourage or overwhelm me that I can't do what you do at your level. My level is just fine for me. I can enjoy your passion for growing food & cultivating beauty because we share that passion. I don't have to live it out at your level & scale. I'm cool with you being you while I'm being me. 💗👍🕊
Haha! I’ve always heard that phrase for feeling under the weather. But I’m from the South also. ☺️
Growing food is my therapy. It’s my art. It’s the poetry of my life.
Having your own garden, whichever size is priceless. Mental health benefits, exercise, sustainability, giving back to the earth, better animal husbandry & lives, better quality fruit & vege, better meat. It really is priceless and if you’re happy spending it, then people should be happy for you. Your life, your choice.
And think you’re very relatable. Your scale may be bigger than most but can still work for anyone. I’ve love your Channel, your honesty, your relatability. Look forward to your videos every week. ❤
I just loved it when Miah stepped forward and shook your hand and later said he was running security and keeping you safe, it was hilarious.
It's a shame people push you to justify your abundance, you have way more patience than me. Where do people get off thinking they have a right to judge?
Ahh Bear…the great comic relief we didn't know we needed 😂! Such a good boy 🐶🤎.
I have watched you since you were in AR living on a budget. Working your buns off to get where you are at now. You inspire people to do better. You inspire people to have big dreams & not settle. You give many of us hope that our dreams will come true. You inspire us to dream big and not be afraid to do so. You have taught us hard work will get you to that dream life. While we are turning our waiting rooms into a classrooms. You worked so hard to get where you are at now. You deserve all the beautiful things you have worked for. You owe no one an explanation. I can tell you this. You have inspired me personally to dream bigger and not be afraid to do so. We haven't gotten there yet. I originally started watching your video's to learn how to grow tomatoes. I did have a dream of buying land back then. But after years of disappointment we will finally by end of this year be on land. We found out today. There wont be another year of waiting just to be disappointed & heart broken again. So thank you Jess & Miah for helping me back up. Helping me get my head back in the game every time I thought it was just time to give up on our dream. Helping us realize we can dream even bigger than we were before. I am feeling a little emotional after finding out the wait is almost over. I am guessing those people never really stopped to think how hard you & Miah worked to get where you are at right now. Not relatable? How? That makes no sense to me. How can someone not relate to strive for better in life & not settle. If anything you have laid out a road map for the rest of us. By the way… I sat in my garden this past season and ate the best darn tomato I had ever had. And wouldn't you know it. It was a Paul Robeson tomato. It wasn't just the tomato. It was the taste of all the love and hard work I had put into growing that tomato. 🥰
Almost everybody here is celebrating your succuss. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ohio❤
I also don't think that people get that everything is a big investment up front. I got a few "must be nice" comments last year when i bought 12 metal raised beds to replace my wood bed that were crumbling apart. Yes, even with the sales and code discounts, they were still kinda expensive, but they are going to last 20+ years. So when you do the math, they really weren't that expensive, and i don't have to worry about bugs eating them. Jess, You moved and had to start from scratch. So you are building quickly to get back to where you were. I totally understand that and probably would do the same. Most of us have started our garden from scratch and built on it every year. And people don't take that into consideration. Like, yes, now i have a big garden, but 10 to 15 years ago, i had 9 blue recycling bins (cute back story) and a handful of pots. I never would have thought about cattle panel trellises back then. But thanks to randomly finding R&R, i now have a 20-foot tunnel and 2 straight trellises, and I'm putting 2 more in this year And i gave 2 to my dad because he liked mine so much. Jesse, you brought value to my garden, and that's what matters, not how much i spent on the front end.
Jess, I am so sorry that you feel that you need to explain this to people. I have very much enjoyed watching your journey! I love what you are doing and your farm is beautiful!! Don't ever feel bad that you are doing better in life than you were and moving forward. You have earned what you have! Enjoy it little darling ❤