Our Story

Our Beginning

It was 1993, a quiet spring evening, and I was a month shy of nineteen. He was twenty-three, sitting beside me in his truck, parked in my family’s driveway. Our first date was over—a movie in the city—and I was lingering, not quite ready to say goodbye. I’d already fallen for him, and the thought of the night ending made my heart ache a little.

Just as I reached for the door, he paused. “Hey,” he said with a soft, hopeful smile, “do you wanna come see my cows?”

“I would love to come see your cows,” I replied, my pulse racing.

Instead of calling it a night, we headed toward a piece of his family’s farmland—a good two miles of dirt road, off-grid and tucked away. Here, 30 acres of rich riparian woodland met 90 acres of grain field, bordered by a meandering river. In a quiet clearing, with only the trees and the river’s gentle curve as witness, he introduced me to his close-knit herd. Listening to him talk with pride about the land and his cattle, I felt a quiet sense that this place, and this moment, were truly special.

The Early Years

Those early days were wonderfully simple and sweet. I loved tagging along during farm chores: long days riding the combine, tending cattle, and checking crops with our pups trailing behind. He was building his life on the farm, and I was right there, so immersed and grateful for the simple joys we shared. Four years later, we married—excited, in love, and ready to embrace the lifestyle we both cherished. I worked off the farm initially, then eagerly transitioned to self employment at home after we welcomed two children. Together, we committed ourselves to this life, facing each season’s challenges with gratitude.

Whenever we returned to that property where we shared that first special evening, a hope would tug at me—a quiet longing that maybe, just maybe, this place could be more than “just” land we farmed. The thought of living there, of calling it home, felt like a dream beyond our reach—something grand but impossible to ignore.

I’d casually share my musings aloud, and he’d smile gently and kindly remind me of the realities we faced, keeping my dreams grounded in practicality. I’ve always admired that calm strength of his, balancing my fanciful daydreams. Still, I couldn’t help but let the words slip out occasionally, as if speaking the dream might somehow make it real. Over time, that quiet hope began to shift. It wasn’t just a passing thought anymore. This place, where we lingered on that first spring night, began to reveal its potential for so much more.

Finding a Way Forward

As our family grew older, we began to see hints that the farm had quietly become a part of our son’s life as well. There was no single moment, but rather a steady accumulation of signs over the years. Not through sentimental glances, but through his deep familiarity with each season’s demands—from the spring rush of seeding and pasturing, right through to the grit that comes with winter calving. For all his independence, he’s stayed right here, actively working on our beef farm and stepping in seasonally at the grain farm. Now, as he works to carve out his own place in the farm’s future, we find ourselves at a crossroads—his Dad, steady and unwavering, and me, his Mom, equally proud and anxious. We always knew this moment might come, though we never quite knew how it would take shape or come together.

With our son preparing to join us, and our daughter pursuing her final year of nursing, we’re filled with humble pride. Together, they represent our family’s future, and as we chart our course through the complexities of this transition, we’re reminded of the hopes we’ve long carried for this life we’ve built.

After much discussion and reflection, it dawned on us that the very place where our story began—where we first found each other—could offer an opportunity to help us navigate this new chapter after 31 years. It struck us— how had we not thought of this sooner? We realized our vision for the Down Home Farm—a modest, off-grid seclusion where we could live simply and welcome others who seek the serenity of a life rooted in nature and purposeful living. A potential path to diversify, sharing the quiet charm and magic that has always inspired us, and perhaps creating a legacy to pass on—a dream that was quietly waiting for its moment.

This prairie expanse is where our story began—a place we’re honoured and hopeful to carry forward. We envision it as a distinctive experience for those who come to stay—a space where they’ll find the same sense of peace, simplicity, and belonging, and feel the magic that has kept us grounded in this simple, sweet life all these years.

Where New Chapters Unfold

As we embark on this new chapter, we reflect on the journey that has brought us here. From that quiet spring night in 1993, where a simple invitation to see some cows led us to a life rich with meaning, every moment has enriched our story. It’s been a fulfillingly good life, grounded in our shared values and commitment to our small farm, where we’ve nurtured our kids amidst the daily rhythms of farm life, and where our devotion endured through shared experiences.

Now, with our son keen to join us in farming and our daughter on the verge of a rewarding nursing career, we see the potential for something even more profound. Their journeys fill us with humble pride as we navigate an uncertain yet hopeful path ahead. The Down Home Farm represents not just our journey; it’s an invitation to share the splendour of this peaceful refuge with others. Here, you can escape the noise of the world and find the tranquility that has sustained us.

The enchantment we felt that first evening lingers still—a magic that has accompanied us for 31 years. A night that began with a little ache in my heart, a soft hopeful smile on his face, that took us to a quiet enclave discreetly set apart and hidden away from the world— a place of connection and community, where nature and nurture intertwine.

We invite you to experience the serenity and harmony of this unique property that has inspired us all these years. As we breathe life into this dream, we hope those who come to stay will find their own sense of belonging and peace, just as we have. Here, amidst the prairie expanse, may you discover not only the quiet harmony of nature and agriculture but also the profound connections that remind us of what truly matters in life. We welcome you to our Down Home Farm, where our story continues, and new chapters unfold.

Penned with my whole heart,

Faye Fossay— November 2024