








2022 Story
At the beginning of 2022, Martin, my now late husband, and I made the difficult decision to cut our losses and sell and rehome our animals. We had 45 head of cattle, 60 pigs, and 99 hens. We were pioneers in our own community and we researched every nook and cranny leaving no stone unturned where grassfed beef, pastured pork and regenerative farming was concerned. Martin led us down our paths with his research, determination, hardwork and love for his family and his community. After 10 years, there was no way to make this type of farming profitable and sustainable in our area as we were losing $50-$70k per year. I couldn't let Martin continue as he would have bankrupt us to find a way as he was that determined to make things work. Sometimes you just have to let things go to let them sort themselves out naturally. We were dealing with a lot of variables that made it not possible. It took 10 years and $600,000 in losses to see that LAND and public education were among the variables that tanked our farming equation.
Unfortunately after we pivoted, Martin Van Den Hurk passed away suddenly from a heart attack December 30, 2022. It has blind-sided my heart to lose my best friend, the father of our kids and my soulmate. And to think of how it has affected our 4 kids that he left behind. More bad news came as our special needs child Angus, who this farm was started for, died 10 months after his dad, November 6, 2023.
The Farm now grows a modest vegetable garden and raises limited number of pastured eggs. The rest of my land is being left to regenerate the soil further while propagating seeds and plants by nature. In 2026 we saw 87 plants of which 42 were new plants on our land transmitted by animals and the wind. We also saw appromixately 10 new signs of life and wildlife on our land.
I needed a source of main income so I turned to my education and experience and began Business Consulting. I am a Business Consultant who gives professional help, advice and mentoring in business, accounting, finance, farming and sustainability to Business Owners of unincorporated and incorporated businesses from startups to $100 million plus.
Bless these New Beginnings for me, my family and my land.
Laura Van Den Hurk





