The Full Story

Hey neighbor!

 

   I’m Nivek Anderson-Brown, co-founder of Leaf and Bean Farm. Alongside my husband, we began building our homestead dreams in rural Virginia nearly eight years ago. Though we were both born and raised in the city, we have deep family ties to country living—so the pull toward homesteading felt inevitable. We wanted to live more self-sustainably and be self-reliant.

 

   With faith and a willing spirit, we jumped headfirst into the monumental task of starting a homestead from the ground up—with barely any experience. I consider myself fortunate to have a strong foundation, thanks to my grandmothers and parents, who taught me the basics of growing food and preserving it. My husband and children have also helped me discover where my strengths are most valuable in our homesteading journey.

   

   After years of studying, researching, and plenty of trial and error, I’ve learned so much. I was so excited about everything I was discovering that I began creating social media content to share it all. That outlet has opened so many doors and opportunities—to keep learning and to teach others who are new to homesteading or just interested in traditional skills.

 

   I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, homesteader, gardener, forager, herbal medicine practitioner, and teacher—and I’m so excited to show you what homesteading in color looks like.