Dreams Do Come True
Yellowleaf Creek Farm
by Bailey Boockholdt
February 22, 2022
People say the only thing that comes to a man sleeping is a dream. I have always had a dream of farming. It’s my passion!
As far as I can remember I have grown up around farming, from helping my grandfather plant his garden, to working in the peach fields, to running a tractor. I’ve always enjoyed just being outside and watching things grow. My dad purchased a mid-sized tractor when I was about 12 years old, and since then I have planted vegetables every year and given them to friends and family.
Throughout high school I worked at a retail plant nursery, watering and taking care of the plants. After I graduated, I left the nursery and went into steel production/manufacturing, which also helped kick off my little farm allowing me to grow. The market season of 2020 allowed me to take my produce to the market. I did really well my first year and decided I would continue to farm on the side.
I am currently 21 years old, and I am so thankful for how my farm has grown in the past two years. There have been some challenges that I’ve faced between mother nature, pests and diseases. I’m thankful that I was able to pull through. With that being said, my farm has grown by adding a small peach orchard and growing a wider variety of vegetables. I started out with one market, and now I currently have three.
Don’t let anyone tell you that farming isn’t stressful because it is. Currently, I’m still at the foundry and farming on the side. It does keep me busy, but I do enjoy the farm life. My dream is to one day to be a full-time farmer. I can’t sleep and slumber to make that happen, I have to get up and work for it. Currently my dad, cousin and I are planting six acres of produce. That doesn’t seem like much but it’s a start and I’m thankful to have what I have.
When we started Yellowleaf Creek Farm I had no idea how much it would grow. We are a small family-based farm located in central Alabama and growing yearly.
I might be considered a hobby farmer by the others, but to me, it’s my dream. I would just love to look back in 30 years and say 'I built this farm from the ground up.' Yes, we already had the land, yes I already had experience. But I’m learning more and more every day. I’m hopeful this year will have more growth than the previous. Dreams really do come true if you have the mindset to make that dream a reality.
