A Love Letter to Oak Spring Farm: Gratitude, Growth, and the Next Chapter
When I think about the last 19 years on this land, it takes my breath away. Not just because of the beautiful view, or the scent of tomato vines in July, or the way the golden light settles on the fields in October—but because of the life that has unfolded here. My life. My children’s lives. A life I built, with dirt under my nails and hope in my heart, one harvest at a time.
I started Oak Spring Farm not as a business plan, but as a lifestyle.
Growing my own farm to table dinners, skipping the produce aisle at the grocery store, canning pickles and beets, and making my own tomato sauce became part of life. A little CSA business blossomed and I was making enough money to pay for a family vacation. It was a perfect little business for an outdoorsy stay at home mama.
The lifestyle became my lifeline.
Ten years ago, after my divorce, I faced a choice. I could sell the farm my kids had grown up on—the only home they’d known—or I could figure out a way to stay. I wanted to keep them in their schools, in their routines, in the familiar comfort of the woods and fields that surrounded our home. I wanted to be present, to work from home, and to create a life that gave us not just stability, but purpose.
Farming full-time, making a living from it, and supporting a family as a single mom wasn’t exactly the safe bet. Many people thought it was impossible. And in truth, I didn’t always believe it myself. I’d spent years dependent on my spouse’s income, and stepping into financial independence was daunting. But I knew one thing for sure—I was going to try.
And so I did.
With the help of a loan officer who believed in me, friends who encouraged me, and a few fellow farmers who didn’t laugh when I showed up with more questions than answers, I started down this path. My parents stood by me, my friends cheered me on, and slowly but surely, I began to believe in myself. The farm became not just a job, but a teacher. It taught me how capable I am. How strong. How resilient. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, to ask for help, and to keep going even when things feel too heavy.
This farm has been more than a livelihood—it’s been a multidimensional life. My kids grew up gathering eggs, helping at market, and watching their mom work hard and figure it out. They saw setbacks and solutions. They saw grit, grace, and plenty of dirt. They learned that sometimes, what looks impossible just needs a little time, support, and belief.
To say I’m grateful is an understatement. This journey wasn’t mine alone. It’s been woven with community—from the CSA members who’ve come back year after year, to the market customers who told me my arugula was the best they’d ever tasted. From the friends who lent a helping hand to the farm crew who showed up with energy and heart. Every single person who said, “You’ve got this,” played a part.
Oak Spring Farm has been the setting for countless memories, milestones, heartbreaks, and joys. It’s where we’ve celebrated birthdays, mourned losses, launched a business… and where I found myself. I am proud of what I’ve built. Humbled by it. And forever changed because of it.
And now, the time has come for a new chapter.
This farm—my teacher, my sanctuary, my livelihood—is ready for its next steward. It is not without grief that I say that. But the land is speaking. I feel it in my bones and in my heart. It’s time to pass the torch. To share what I’ve learned. To bless the next person who will walk these rows, tend this soil, and build their own dream here.
I will carry Oak Spring Farm with me forever. I may be letting go of the land, but I’m not letting go of the love, the lessons, or the legacy. And I hope that, in some way, my story offers a little spark to someone else who’s facing the impossible.
Because sometimes, with a bit of faith, a lot of sweat, and the magic of community, impossible turns into a life beyond anything you imagined.
With deepest gratitude,
Lisa Wheeler Duff
I am glad I could help out with the emergency caffeine today because you really looked like you could us it, limping back to your 🏠 Now it makes sense and I am way happier for you in your new adventures than I am sad for us 🥰
Esther you’re awesome! I had the coffee this am and it is delicious. WE have all season left together and who knows? Maybe 1 more year. Oak Spring deserves the right owner-I won’t sell it to just anybody!
Dear Lisa, thank you for sharing your products, your passion, your purpose, and your well-deserved/well-earned pride im what you’ve done – what you’ve accomplished – for your children, your customers, the Earth, the Heavens, and mostly for yourself – not selfishly but lovingly and with full-on commitment. Very sorry that you’re passing the torch but you’ve planted far, far more than a garden or a farm. It’s a legacy, and this is worth a million million dollars – in flowers and in all things beautiful. Fare thee well, and thank you again.
Thanks Linda, I so appreciate your words and the love!
Dear Lisa, thank you for sharing your products, your passion, your purpose, and your well-deserved/well-earned pride in what you’ve done – what you’ve accomplished – for your children, your customers, the Earth, the Heavens, and mostly for yourself – not selfishly but lovingly and with full-on commitment. Very sorry that you’re passing the torch but you’ve planted far, far more than a garden or a farm. It’s a legacy, and this is worth a million million dollars – in flowers and in all things beautiful. Fare thee well, and thank you again.
Hi Lisa,
So sorry to hear this as I know how much you love the farm and life on it. But I know that things/times change and you have to adapt. I hope you will still be at the Hereford market for the rest of the season. And I wish you much luck and joy in your new journey.
Hi Pat, we will be at the market the rest of the season for sure. I do love my farm and as a single mama life feels like a lot sometimes. I want to pass the torch while I still love the farm. There is more to come -just in a different form. xoxo
Much love, my dear cousin.
xoxo
When I read this, even though I knew it was coming, I felt my heart soar, sing, and sink at the same time. Your presence in my life is immeasurable; each week, our conversations, our laughs, our joy, and your vegetables. You are an amazing woman. Mother, Farmer, Intellect, Beauty, Toughness, and Resiliance are unparalleled. The next chapter calls, and I have to visit the farm before it is done. Thank You …
I appreciate you, dear friend. You mean so much to me!
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for introducing me to the best tasting vegetables. I wish you much happiness and success as you venture into the next chapter of your life.
Sincerely,
Eileen
Thanks Eileen, it’s been my pleasure!
Thanks Eileen. Your support and love mean the world to:)
Lisa, this is so beautifully written, so heartfelt. I would like to extend an invitation in case it feels right to you. I have recently started a sub stack called about the farm, which is the story of an older landowner,, me, working with young farmers to start a market garden. I don’t know how you have planned to pass the torch, But I would love to be able to publish what you have written here, or even a more in-depth story from you as a Guest author on my sub stack. And in case you have not yet found the right people to pass the torch to, that is what the sub stack is about at its core: Linking folks who own land and are ready to retire from it with young people who don’t have land and want to farm. Saving farm land and small farms. Please let me know what you think. I will come back to these comments to see if we can connect in some way. Thank you! — Eli from aboutthefarm@substack.com
Hi Eli, I’m definitely interested in speaking with you more about Substack! Thanks for reaching out. Please contact me via my email lisa@oakspring-farm.com. Thank you
Lisa, my dear friend, what you built is an inspiration to all! I have loved keeping up with the farm through all of your posts, and wish you the best of luck on the next part of your journey. I am so happy that we were able to visit this special place all those years ago. Still the best eggs our family has ever tasted. Love you, and can’t wait to hear about your new endeavors!
Thanks Flo. I am so glad you were able to visit too. It’s been quite a journey on this beautiful spot!
Woman! This is big news. I am also thinking about my next step.
The times they are a-changing. Let’s catchup.
Big hugs and lots of love.
yes! it’s our time to make big decisions.