OUR STORY

At the age of 30 Justin Phillips had exhausted his tolerance for city and suburban living. He had a new compulsion toward what, to him was uncharted territory. The great outdoors were calling, enticing him with the new prospects of adventure, freedom, sustenance, and a more fulfilling way of life. And then Justin met Deidre.

​

Now fast forward to February 2020. Spring is just a few short months away and alas the homesteading can finally get underway. Even better, Justin has a partner now in his dream with Deidre at his side. They decided on the name first, agreeing they liked the sound of "Phillips Farm" best, and so he made a sign for their new 40 acre plot. Of course there should be some farming going on before giving a place such a name so he arranged to rehome some chickens from Moonshine Farm just across the Virginia/North Carolina line in Corapeake. 

​

There was a glow about Justin on the morning of Feb. 8th. The excitement of a child on Christmas morning. The type of smirk on his face that only accompanies the knowledge of a deeply satisfying secret. When he informed Deidre that they were going to pick up their very first chickens, she quickly matched his excitement, or so she thought.

 

Just 10 short minutes down the road they arrived at Moonshine Farm. With no experience, no technique, and a net in a terrible state of disrepair, Justin and Deidre proceeded to chase down and catch 6 chickens free ranging around the property. Many laughs were had, lots of sweat poured, and eventually the birds were loaded and homeward bound. The return trip was consumed by anticipation of all that was to come.

​

The two arrived at their property and offloaded the chickens into the garage (a story in itself). "We've got the land, we've got the sign, and now we've got the first of our animals!" he told Deidre. "Phillips Farm! It's finally official!" Justin told her. "Well.. almost". Then Justin showed Deidre what he had really been so ecstatic about that day as he dropped to one knee and asked Deidre if he could have the honor of making her Mrs. Phillips. He presented her the ring he'd spent countless hours staring into in anticipation of this very moment to which she responded "..shut up.."

​

With tears welling up in her beautiful blue eyes, that was the last of the words she could manage. While insistently shaking her head yes, Justin slipped the ring on Deidre's finger and what had just moments ago been a plot of land was now officially Phillips Farm.