When Marissa and her husband, James, had a baby girl, Marissa said, “Let’s teach Ellie why being connected to the earth is important. Let’s find our own little space.” So they did. A two-acre plot of land led to a barn, which led to chickens and pigs.

“I wanted to change how we got our food,” says Marissa. “It’s important to know where our food comes from.”

Six years later, that two-acre plot has become a 40-acre farm in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

At Whippoorwill Farms, animals are forest fed and have room to roam. Marissa sells her meat and produce at farmers markets, at local restaurants and through a farm box subscription. She also runs a “pay what you can” produce stand, giving all families in her area access to healthy food.

Farming the way Marissa does – in an organic, humane and regenerative way – isn’t easy. But when things get tough, her motto is, “We’ve come this far. We’re not going to stop.” Even when finances are tight. Even when her body hurts. Even during the rainy months when she worries about the forest flooding and the animals not having what they need.

What keeps her going? “Knowing we are making a difference,” she says. “We’re changing the way people think about where their food comes from.” She’s inspiring future farmers, too. “If you are resilient and you care enough,” she says, “you can do it.” Marissa and her thriving farm are living proof.