The Patchwork Farmer

“My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, and a preacher. But every day, three times a day, you need a farmer.”
– Brenda Schoepp

Hey there! I’m Mallory — or Mal, if we’re gonna be friends — and welcome to The Patchwork Farmer.

I’m a daydreamer with a big vision for the future. A life grounded in purpose, surrounded by loved ones, and rooted (literally) on a farm. I see myself growing food, raising animals, and cultivating a community where everyone feels supported. Becoming a wife, a mother, and a farmer is part of that big dream. It feels lofty but in many ways, I’m already on my way.

Farming feels like coming home to myself. I grew up on a family homestead, so the value of growing and raising my own food runs deep. These days, I’m investing in my learning by apprenticing on a dairy farm in Upstate New York. Soaking up knowledge and learning the daily rhythms of the work I hope to make my life.

That’s where The Patchwork Farmer comes in. Farming, like many things, isn’t mastered all at once. It’s stitched together from many skills, lessons, and stories. Each new task I take on feels like adding a patch to a growing quilt. This blog is where I document those patches. The wins, the mistakes, and everything in between. Think of it as part journal, part how-to, part heart-on-my-sleeve.

I’m not an expert *yet* but if you’re curious about farm life, experimental learning, or just want to follow someone chasing a big dream one piece at a time, you’re in the right place.