Meet Olivia Parker: From Manhattan Boardrooms to Mountain Soil
If anyone had told me years ago that I would one day trade the familiar rhythm of New York boardrooms for the quiet sweep of a 40-acre farm in West Virginia, I probably would have smiled politely and gone right back to building another marketing plan. For more than fifteen years, my entire world revolved around business, creative strategy, and leadership. I worked as a senior marketing manager at Birch & Lowell, a well-known agency located in the heart of Manhattan, where every day brought new clients, bigger challenges, and a constant race against time. I thrived in that environment for a long while, but slowly, almost quietly, I noticed a growing longing for a life that felt more grounded and meaningful.
When the pandemic arrived, everything I thought was permanent suddenly shifted. The city fell silent, the office turned into a laptop on my dining table, and the pace that once felt energizing became suffocating. My husband, Ryan, and I began having long, late-night conversations about the kind of life we wanted to build before time moved any faster. Those talks brought us back to something we had always dreamed about but never believed we’d pursue: a simpler life that revolved around real food, open air, honest work, and space to breathe.
So in early 2021, after more soul-searching than I expected, we made a decision that surprised every person who knew us. We left New York, stepped away from my stable manager position, and invested our savings into a sprawling but neglected 40-acre farm tucked between the hills of West Virginia. My parents thought the idea was reckless, friends worried I was walking away from everything I had worked for, and coworkers kept asking if I was absolutely sure. But the moment we arrived at the property and saw the fields stretching out like a promise, I knew the decision wasn’t crazy at all. It felt like coming home to a part of myself I had ignored for too long.
Starting Over, One Seed at a Time
The first months were a mix of excitement, mistakes, and laughter that echoed across the empty fields. We learned how to build soil from scratch, how to coax vegetables from neglected ground, and how to care for animals in a way that felt both humbling and rewarding. Goats escaped from their pens more times than I want to admit, I planted tomatoes far too early (twice), and I learned very quickly that a compost pile absolutely can burn if you create it incorrectly. But little by little, we created a rhythm that felt real and human in a way city life never had.
What surprised me most was how many people from my old life began reaching out. Former colleagues wanted gardening tips, old clients messaged me asking how to start tomato seedlings, and even my most skeptical friends started telling me that leaving the city might have been the smartest decision I ever made. Sharing the journey made me realize that this new life wasn’t only for us; it could also inspire and guide others searching for something more grounded.
What You’ll Find on This Blog
This space is my way of documenting everything we are learning and everything I wish I had known when we first stepped onto this land. While the topics are practical, I also share the heart behind the journey, because homesteading and gardening are as emotional as they are physical.
You’ll find:
- Stories of our transition from city to farm life and the lessons that came with it
- Practical gardening advice rooted in real mistakes, experiments, and successes
- Organic growing methods that work well even for beginners
- Homesteading projects that range from simple daily tasks to bigger seasonal challenges
- Gentle encouragement for anyone dreaming of a slower, more intentional lifestyle
I write with the hope that these experiences help you feel more confident in your own gardening journey, no matter how much space you have or where you live.
Why I Really Love Sharing My Story
Because I want people to know that you don’t need to be born into farming or inherit land to live a life connected to the earth. You don’t even need a large farm. You only need a willingness to learn, a bit of patience, and the courage to take the first step, even if your friends think you’re being impulsive. If my path from a New York office to a West Virginia homestead proves anything, it’s that changing your life is possible at any age and at any stage.
This blog is the place where I share the truth behind that change, the beauty in small victories, the lessons from our mistakes, and the joy of watching something grow because you cared for it. I hope you feel at home here, and I hope you find something useful, encouraging, or inspiring every time you visit.
Welcome to our farm and to our story. I’m truly glad you’re here.