In the suburbs of the bustling metropolis of New York City, where the city lights dazzled like stars, lived a couple named Maria and Filippos. Both were professionals with demanding careers, working long hours in the corporate world. Maria had spent the last two decades of her life climbing the corporate ladder in the world of Information Technology. For the better part of three decades, Filippos had built a successful career in the technical services industry. The city was exciting, but it was also exhausting. They had achieved much in their careers but found themselves increasingly worn out and longing for something different.
Filippos always had this dream of living in the countryside, closer to nature. Somewhere peaceful, where they could escape the chaos of the city traffic as he spent many hours on the road to travel to various job sites. Maria's days were filled with meetings, project deadlines, and the constant hum of PCs and printers in the office. Yet, despite her success in the tech world, Maria felt an undeniable emptiness in her heart. She yearned for something more, something that no amount of lines of code or digital devices could provide. She longed for a connection to nature, a simpler life, and a deeper sense of purpose. Her childhood memories of lush green fields, with happy animals grazing freely and a sense of fulfillment radiating from her grandparents working in the field, were etched deep within her. Those memories had been imprinted deeply within her. It was as if a seed had been planted in her mind or soul, and she couldn't shake the memory, even though many years had passed since her grandparents had left this world. The idea of producing their own food and reconnecting with the earth was a whisper that grew louder with each passing year. Their decision to relocate was met with mixed reactions from friends and family. Some thought they were crazy to leave current and future job opportunities in the tri-state area (NY, CT, NJ), while others admired their courage to follow their hearts.
Finally, the day arrived. Filippos, Maria, and the children bid farewell to their New York home and purchased a modest farmhouse in North Carolina and set out on their new adventure. They moved away from the city noise pollution to make their dream a reality; preserve and enhance on-farm biodiversity by planting trees and shrubs and promoting pollinator-friendly plants.
That's how it all started!
Maria's journey from the world of technology to the peaceful life in farmland was a testament to the power of following one's heart and finding one's true calling. She had traded the digital world for the embrace of the natural world, and in doing so, she had discovered a richer, more meaningful life—one that was truly farm-fresh and filled with the simple joys of the land. Filip didn't want to abandon his career entirely. In his spare time, Filippos converted a section of the land into a small poultry farm. He built a sturdy chicken coop, complete with nesting boxes and perches, and stocked it with a diverse flock of chickens. He carefully selected different breeds, from Rhode Island Reds to Leghorns, each with its unique characteristics and egg-laying abilities.
The transition wasn't without challenges. Early mornings became a routine as they tended to their animals, worked the land, and held jobs. They faced unexpected weather shifts, predator threats, and the steep learning curve of farming. But with each challenge, they grew stronger, more resilient, and deeply connected to the land. Later, they began raising a variety of poultry, from chickens and ducks to geese and turkeys. Maria's business expertise came in handy when dealing with regulations, while Filippos' architectural skills helped design functional and eco-friendly farm structures.
As the seasons changed, the poultry farm grew. Their farm-fresh eggs gained popularity among friends and neighbors, who appreciated the taste and quality. Then, Maria's interests shifted to sustainable, heritage poultry for their family and other families in the community. Filippos supported the extra effort and encouraged Maria to learn and research on the genetics and welfare of birds. Maria committed to raising and eating the kinds of standard-bred heritage birds our grandmothers raised for many generations - slow growing poultry with amazing meat flavor and nutrition. In the meantime, she built a strong reputation for creating mouth-watering recipes while also helping others to understand how to get the most nutrition out of their food. Later on, their older child, Kosmas, began handling farm chores and took over the farm business, with continued assistance and contributions from Filippos and Maria.
As time passed and up to the present moment, Filippos and Maria share their experiences inspiring others to embrace farming while maintaining their career or a full-time job. Their story resonates with those who, like Filippos, harbor a dream of living close to nature without abandoning their skills or profession for various reasons. This family proved that it's possible to have the best of both worlds – a career, or a job, and a deep connection to the land. They hope their story becomes a source of inspiration for those seeking a harmonious blend of modernity and rural simplicity in their lives.
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