It was a chilly February morning when we decided we’d seriously try farming. We had been considering it for a bit. In different ways, my husband had been working in the agriculture and farming industry for decades. It had been a dream of his to have a farm of his own for many years. We thought, we would start small, and see how things would go. How hard could it be?
Support All Around Us
We had support from everyone in our lives. Day by day, week by week, so many showed us their support. Honestly, we didn’t have much in our budget to farm but God had put this in our hearts and confirmed it every time we prayed about it.
The community certainly didn’t let us become overwhelmed. Our family members, church family, and friends, as well local businesses, and people from the community at large were supportive in numerous ways by donating supplies, letting us use their land, even their encouraging words and prayers were a regular outpouring.
The greenhouse above was donated. We purchased the plastic for it and the corrugated tin was found in piles on the main property we farm, along with lots of other stuff (some useful, some not) that it took weeks to sort through and clean up.
Things started to warm up in March and April…we even thought we might get some planting done! We didn’t have a way to keep the greenhouse heated at night yet, but we were reading and learning more and trying to keep the seedlings warm.
A Nursey
Every window, piece of wood, and shingle was donated for this greenhouse nursery where later, many of the seedlings were planted, week after week throughout the spring and even early summer.
We had many others that helped to support us including gifting us with a wood burning stove for our greenhouse, and a tiller, letting us barrow a a tractor when needed, giving us a John Deer mower, donating hay, manure, seeds, planting trays, sprinklers, water pipeline, and so much more. Every time we had a need and prayed about it, God would answer that prayer with someone asking if we needed X. It was astonishing!
Snow and Ice
Unfortunately, before we were able to get the greenhouse heated, we had a storm that made things frigid and snowy for a few days.
The nursery was warmer because it shares a wall with the very small house we’re building here on the farm.
In our next post, we’ll talk more about the challenges of climate here in the basin. For now, thanks for checking us out! God bless!
Rayas Farms 
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