OUR STORY

We are Brian and Debbie Meade, CPAs by trade but farmers at heart.  We live in southern Wisconsin and have four grown children and one grandchild.  As followers of Jesus, our passion has been for single mothers and for those dealing with food insecurity locally and around the world.

Our journey began 12 years ago when we became certified as a safe family with Safe Families for Children, a not-for-profit dedicated to keeping children safe and families together. The children we cared for in our home devoured the fresh fruit and vegetables we had in our refrigerator. We learned and experienced just how limited the access to fresh fruits and vegetables was for those in crisis. The whole experience, as we reflect now, planted a seed that God has been watering and tending to for years. 

In 2016, we purchased 30 acres in southern Wisconsin as an investment and leased our land to a local farmer.  In 2022, that seed planted years earlier sprouted, and God gave us the idea to use a portion of the land to grow the fresh produce that we knew was needed for local food pantries. In 2023, we finally did it! We planted 100 strawberry plants, a variety of vegetables, and created an apiary with two bee hives.  In early 2024, it was time to take this journey to the next level, so Growing in Grace Farm was formed! Additionally, we planted another 150 strawberry plants and added three more bee hives.

God’s grace and provision has been evident and abundant in the past couple of years. We are encouraged by our friends and family that have supported and helped us get to this point! Our hope is that you are excited for what God is doing through Growing in Grace Farm too!