January at Hickman Hollow Farms
January has arrived quietly, after the strong momentum of November and December. Those first months on the farm were filled with long workdays and the kind of exhaustion that comes from visible progress. January, on the other hand, felt a little like someone had gently but firmly pressed pause on our plans.
The waiting this month did not feel restful. It felt like forced stillness.
Cold Weekends and Plans on Hold
Between colder than normal South Carolina weather and the reality that our house remodel was still going on, we simply were not able to be on the farm as much as we had been previously. Every weekend brought cold temperatures, and with no electricity to offer us some warmth away from the cold, it was hard to stay motivated outdoors for long stretches.
The last weekend of the month was especially brutal, with icy temperatures dipping into the teens. While it did put a stop to some of our work, we were beautifully compensated with a pillowy blanket of snow covering the farm.
And so we are waiting. For warmth. For electricity. For the day, we can finally be on the property full-time and put our strongest effort into this place. It feels a little like being a kid in the back seat asking, “Are we there yet?” knowing full well the answer was still no.
That waiting has definitely created tension and turbulence in my head. We are so close to living on the farm full-time, but it feels like it’s not happening fast enough. The remodeling we are doing on the house is nearly complete, and that anticipation brings with it excitement mixed with anxiety. Being almost there can sometimes feel harder than being far away.
One of the hardest parts of January was watching our plans stall. I had high hopes to paint the front office of the barn so we could begin preparing it as our temporary future farm store to offer our flower bouquets, fresh herbs and vegetables, and other handmade items. But that was a task left unfinished for now.
We also wanted to cover more flower beds with silage in preparation for spring planting, but the cold and high winds won out more often than not. I am sure anyone driving by our farm got quite a chuckle if they had the opportunity to witness my attempt to put down a 50-foot piece of silage that was behaving more like a kite. It’s ok, I was laughing too.
I love winter, but I am still very much a southern girl, and working without a place to warm up took its toll. We did get a few beds covered in the silage, but we have about 40 more beds to silage this first season, and you can see in the photo above that we have a long way to go.
While outdoor work slowed, my heart stayed busy, especially with what was already growing.
Watching Life Push Through the Cold
My biggest worry this month centered on the ranunculus. This is only my second attempt at ranunculus, so I’m still learning and am definitely not an expert…yet. Small green sprouts had already pushed through the soil before the icy weather set in, and I found myself watching the forecasts closely.
We covered them with straw and frost cloth tunnels and prayed. At this point, we are still uncertain what we will find when those tunnels come off. Farming teaches you early on that you can do everything right and still have to wait on outcomes you cannot control.
That sense of waiting followed us indoors too, but in a much more hopeful way.
When the Farm Moves Into the House
Since we are not living on the farm full-time yet, and seedlings need daily care, the greenhouse is still out of reach for now. That meant seed starting moved into our current house in the burbs. Our kitchen quickly transformed into something resembling an airport runway, glowing under hint after hint of grow lights. Trays filled every available surface. And honestly, I loved it.
This month, we started snapdragons, lisianthus, lavender, echinacea, yarrow, milkweed, several herbs, and I also began pre-sprouting about fifteen different dahlia varieties so we can take cuttings.
Watching tiny green leaves appear under those lights has been one of the greatest encouragements of January. There is something deeply grounding about seeing life push forward even when everything else feels stalled.
A Pollinator Haven in the Making
One of the things that matters a lot to us as we build Hickman Hollow Farms is supporting pollinators and helping others understand just how essential they are to a healthy farm and food system. Pollinators are not just a beautiful bonus of farm life. They are a necessity. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects play a critical role in producing flowers, fruits, and seeds, and without them, farms simply cannot thrive.
It is easy to appreciate pollinators from a distance, but supporting them fully requires intentional action. That means planting what they need, creating a safe habitat, and being mindful of how our land is managed. This winter, we started about forty milkweed plants, which will eventually be planted in a dedicated butterfly garden here on the farm. Milkweed is essential for monarch butterflies, as it is the only plant where they can lay their eggs and feed their caterpillars. Planting it is a small but meaningful way we can actively support their survival.
We also officially registered as a Monarch Waystation this month, which felt like an important step in committing to this part of our mission. Looking ahead, pollinator education will be intertwined with what our farm offers. We plan to host children’s educational sessions, build a flower field butterfly house, and rescue and hatch hundreds of butterflies during the growing season. Our hope is that families will not only enjoy the beauty of butterflies on the farm, but also leave with a deeper understanding of why pollinators matter and how small actions at home can make a difference.
This is about stewardship. Caring for the land means caring for the systems that keep it alive. Supporting pollinators is one of the ways we can do that, intentionally and faithfully, as we build a farm that gives back as much as it grows.
Growing Roots Beyond the Fields
January also became a month of growing the farm in ways that cannot be seen from the fields. With less time on site due to the cold, I found myself spending more hours focused on the foundation work that happens behind the scenes. This included ongoing conversations with Clemson Extension, which has already proven to be a great resource as we learn how to care for this land well and responsibly.
We also began applying for programs like EQIP, along with other opportunities designed to support sustainable farming practices. These applications take time and flair for writing (which I love), but they are an important step toward building a farm that is both environmentally responsible and financially sustainable. At the same time, we started the process of becoming Certified SC Grown, which matters to us because we want our community to clearly know where their flowers and food come from and feel confident supporting a local farm rooted right here in South Carolina.
Another meaningfulconnection was applying to the South Carolina Agritourism Association. As we plan for events, workshops, and family experiences on the farm, it feels important to learn from others who are already doing this well. Agritourism is about more than opening the gates. It is about creating safe, welcoming, and meaningful experiences, and we want to approach that thoughtfully from the very beginning.
Last, but surely not least, our farm also joined the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, which has already been a gift. Being part of that community has reminded me that while farming can feel isolating, especially in these early stages, it does not have to be lonely. Having access to shared knowledge, honest conversations, and encouragement from others who truly understand the highs and lows of flower farming is incredibly important.
These connections are such an important part of building a farm that will thrive in a community. Accepting help, asking questions, and learning from those who have walked this path before us is not a weakness. It is part of building something that will last. Growing roots beyond the fields is just as important as planting seeds in the soil, and January helped make that truth very clear.
A House That’s Almost Home
I mentioned the remodel, but let’s dig into exactly where we are with it. The remodel is finally nearing the finish line, and while it has tested our decision-making processes and communication skills more than once, the transformation has been worth every bit of the wait.
What started as a house with good bones has slowly turned into a space that truly feels like home, shaped intentionally for our family and this season of life. While it’s the same house, replacing all the drywall, doors, flooring, and lighting fixtures has truly transformed it.
The expected finish date is sometime around mid February, and we are so excited to finally be living on the farm permanently. Being this close feels surreal. It may sound a little cheesy to some, but this house represents more than a move; it represents the beginning of fully stepping into farm life, no longer commuting to our dream but waking up inside it every day. It won’t be long now!
Big Events at Home
At home, January carried a lot of emotion alongside the slower pace of winter.
Our daughter Saige turned eighteen this month, and that milestone was a heavy one. Watching her step into adulthood stirred a mix of pride, fear, and a small ache in my heart. She will graduate from high school in May and begin carving out her own path in the world, which feels both exciting and surreal. While I am her stepmother, or as she sweetly calls me, Momma B, loving her has been one of the greatest gifts of my life.
She has a kind heart, a gentle spirit, and a deep love for God, and I know she is going to do beautiful things with her life. Still, times like this have a way of reminding you just how quickly things change. One day, you are helping them figure out who they are, and the next, you are watching them step forward with confidence and independence. Time does not ask permission before it moves on.
Then there was my birthday. I turned fifty one. Yes, I am that old. I have never been one for making a big deal about my own birthday, even though I love celebrating everyone else. This year was simple and sweet, exactly how I like it. The day was quiet, spent with the people I love most, and filled with gratitude more than candles.
Jamie made me a coconut cake inspired by that famous Tom Cruise gifted coconut cake recipe, and it was absolutely worth every single calorie. And before anyone judges the candles, just know it is a long standing family tradition to use whatever candles are already in the drawer. So yes, the combination of a four, an eight, and three single candles did in fact add up to fifty one.
Something I am learning about myself is that while I may fight every wrinkle I find, growing older does not scare me. If anything, it feels like I am becoming more rooted in who I am. More comfortable. More settled. Less rushed.
January also marked a return to homeschooling for Kira. We homeschooled for several years before she chose to attend public school for middle school, and with the move to the farm, we invited her into the decision to homeschool again. She was genuinely excited to return to it. Part of that excitement probably came from avoiding a new school, but I also see her joy in having a say in how and what she learns.
She is a few weeks into a Japanese class now and absolutely loves it. Watching her light up when she talks about what she is learning has been such a gift. Homeschooling for us feels like a blend of practicality, flexibility, and familiarity, but more than that, it feels grounding during a season of change for all of us. It is one more way we are choosing to move through this change together as a family.
Faith in the Waiting
Through all of this, faith has been what steadied us.
This month reminded us how hard this work can be emotionally, physically, and financially. There were moments of anxiety and fear, especially when thinking about the weight of responsibility we carry. But we pray daily and remind ourselves that God is not surprised by any of this.
One verse stayed close to my heart this month. Romans 8:28 tells us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. That does not deny the struggle or the pain. It promises purpose within it. Growth. Perseverance. Character.
We are choosing to trust, even when the waiting feels heavy.
Looking Ahead to February
As January closes and we look toward February, there is a lot of hope ahead. We are just a week or two away from moving into our new home on the farm, and warmer weather is on the horizon. Seedlings are growing. Tulips in crates are beginning to stir and may very well become our first bouquets on the farm.
Thank you for walking this journey with us, for cheering us on, and for believing in what we are building here. We cannot wait to open the gates, invite you into the fields, and share the beauty that is quietly taking root…one month at a time.
