Steve's journey began on a 40-acre farm, where childhood should have been idyllic but instead was marred by abuse and neglect. At 13, he chose the uncertain freedom of the streets over the known pain of home. His path led through ditches and jail cells, fueled by addiction and a death wish. But even in the darkest moments, hope wasn't extinguished. Through a divine encounter, Steve found redemption and a new purpose.

Sandy's story started in a single-parent home, her childhood consumed by the rigorous world of competitive gymnastics. While her peers were playing, she was training, missing out on the carefree moments of youth but gaining a steely determination that would serve her well in the adventures to come.

We met when Sandy was 18 - a wild boy and a good girl, an unlikely pair united by a shared vision of a life lived with purpose. Married at 20, we embarked on a journey that has spanned nearly four decades, five children, ten grandchildren, and more adventures than we can count.

We've built businesses, pastored a church, homeschooled for 27 years, and now, we're pioneering the East Tennessee Homestead Alliance. Each step of the way, we've been cultivating what we call a "wildcrafted life" - a life intentionally designed, nurtured with care, and allowed to flourish naturally.

From broken beginnings to a life overflowing with purpose, our story is one of redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of love.

teaching others first started with us

Our path hasn't always been smooth, but it's always been ours.