The Farmers

Farmer Erik:  Erik is the brains, brawn, and main salesman at Goodness Grows Farm. Born and raised just two miles from the Goodness Grows Farm property, he never dreamed farming was his future.  He started his career as a landscaper, but after marrying and starting a family, he developed a passion for hobby farming.  He used his landscaping knowledge and equipment to expand The hobby farm into a thriving family farm and in 2014 began marketing the farm products to Pittsburgh area restaurants.  Erik’s favorite part of farming is breeding goats and watching young 4H kids take those goats and find success in the show ring.  

The Farmers Wife:    Jennie grew up on a hobby farm helping her dad with his Hereford cattle and playing “Little House On The Prairie” with her three younger sisters. She Never imagined she’D one day be a butcher, baker and modern homemaker. ShE creates and assembles all of the GooDness Grows Farm Meal Kits and Produce Boxes.

Walker:  Walker is the oldest and a senior in high school.at 17 years old He is OUR cattle herdsman.  He Breeds Registered angus and short horn cattle here on the farm. HE Is the Jr. Herdsman at LAUREL OAK FARM and interns with local tradesmEn During his Co-Op hours from school. While cattle are his passion, Walker also enjoys raising and showing Boer goats. 

Maggie:  Maggie is 15 years old and her passion on the farm is horses.  Four years ago, she traded a herd of dairy goats for a registered Palomino Quarter Horse named Fortune. Maggie has spent the last five years training her horse to compete in Western Pleasure and Reigning divisions at our local horse shows.  Maggie is a member of Butler county 4H and rides in the Butler County 4h mounted Drill Team. Maggie is also in charge of the sheep breeding program and participates in the sheep to shawl competitions at the 4H competitions.  

Will:  Will is the 14 year old Master showman at Goodness Grows Farm.  Will’s primary passion is soccer and can usually be found trying to escape chores by practicing his foot skills.  While Will doesn’t always put in as much hard work as his older siblings, he ALWAYS brings it to the show ring and has won several blue ribbons for his showmanship skills.

Whitaker:  Whitaker has a need - a need for speEd and can often be found drivinG farm equipment a little too fast. He Loves to spend time im the kitcheN with mom helping create recipes and is the chief taste tester of all the meal Kit Recipes. His favorite hobby is watching truck and tractor pulls. 

Hattie:  #HurricaneHattie is seven years old and is the official cheese tester at the farm. Hattie loves to ride, TREASURE, Her MINIATURE HORSE. There’s no job too big for Hattie and she loves doing everything her older siblings do. Hattie also shows goats and has won trophies for her horsemanship skills in the Pee Wee divisions at our local county fair.