This Middle Tennessee family planted rural roots and resurrected a historic farm.
Article sponsored by Rural 1st®.
Nestled in rural Middle Tennessee, Rural 1st® customers Gary and Suzanne turned a rundown farm into a thriving rural community business. Once just a personal remedy, the couple have transformed their property into a booming goat’s milk soap operation.
From Disaster to Roots
While serving as local FFA leaders in rural Tennessee, Gary spotted an overgrown, run-down farm with a tiny “for sale” sign. While she says it looked like a disaster, Suzanne was captivated by its historic, original 1929 milking parlors. With encouragement from their son, J.D., and financing from Rural 1st, they bought the property, rolled up their sleeves and planted permanent roots.
A Daughter’s Secret Venture
The soap itself began out of personal necessity. Frustrated by ineffective medical treatments for her rosacea, Suzanne spent years perfecting her own handmade raw oat soap.
The pivot from a minimal side hobby to a real agribusiness happened entirely by surprise. Without her knowledge, Suzanne’s oldest daughter set up a tent at a local market with 40 handmade bars to see if they’d sell. Sold out in almost no time at all, this secret venture launched the operation overnight.
A Reflection of Heart
The farm’s success relies entirely on meticulous, unhurried small-batch quality and deep community trust. Suzanne credits the foundation of her business to her original goat herd…