My name is Steven Klumpe. I’ve been lucky enough in my life to have had the opportunity to serve in the Marine Corps and travel all over the world. I served ten years including two tours to Iraq, east and west coast of the United States, Japan, Germany, Thailand, and South Korea. I grew up in Kansas but decided to settle out here in Tennessee.

In all honesty I can admit that Mike and Stephanie’s farming and gardening has truly saved my life more times than I care to even count. I was first introduced into their farming world back in 2017. I was asked if I knew how to use a chainsaw and would like to help clearing some trees and brush. I jumped on the opportunity to play with power tools and meet some more vets. Little did I know that it would turn into the place that would help me through so many dark times. During the years I have learned so much from the two of them. Everything from animal care, to land development, construction, machine operation, farming, gardening, and self care. I have left blood, sweat, and tears all over that farm. More blood than I think I should have, but there’s always a learning curve to some things. I have been able to take the things I’ve learned there and help countless other people out. Knowing how to do different types of fencing allowed me to help out folks when they bought land and needed help with animals. Learning about chickens has helped me raise my own and share them and the eggs with neighbors and friends. Learning to operate a tractor allowed me to step up for a friend when he went in the hospital for surgery. I was able to take over for him on his farm seamlessly while he recovered. Getting proficient with a chainsaw has allowed me to help out a lot of people, especially when storms show up and wreak havoc at peoples homes with downed trees.

I could go on and on with all kinds of situations that have crossed over in my life learning from Mike and Steph to helping out so many other people. The most important thing I’ve learned from them is I always have a place to go to find my way out of the darkness. When that wave of sadness or anger washes over me and takes over I know where to go, or who to call. Now I can sit on my porch and watch my chickens, or step off the deck and put in some work in the garden. I know that I can always reach out to Mike and Steph through a phone call, or just stop by to say hello. I have worked on big projects with them, and I have also been able to work alone by myself allowing me time to clear my mind. It has become one of my biggest outlets to be able to focus on myself and come back to a calm state of mind. Sometimes you need to run a loud chainsaw hearing a sixty foot tree come crashing down to relieve some stress, and sometimes you need the absolute silence sitting on your rocking chair on the porch watching your chickens poke at the ground to relieve stress. I have made the kind of friends from all of this that I check in with on a daily basis, and who check in on me to say hello, or just want to grab a bite to eat. This idea of farming and gardening as a way of soul searching and finding that peace of mind that Mike and Stephanie have shown me will stay with me forever. I will do everything in my power to share it with other people, and help them understand how to use it for self improvement.