Welcome Home

Welcome…to a place that feels like home. A small farm with a big family. Pull up a chair and visit awhile. 

Our Story

Hey there, darling!  My name is Jess. There was a time that all I wanted in the world was a little farm where I could raise my family and grow our food. Now, that is exactly what exists outside my door. In watching it unfold, a new dream was formed in my heart – to share this beautiful life with others and teach them the lessons we’ve learned along the way. Welcome to Roots and Refuge, friend. I am so glad you’re here. 

Recently on R&R

Check out our latest posts from the farm. Gardening, Farm Animals, Recipes, DIYs and anything else we dream up!

Now that you've pulled up a chair...

What would you like to talk about?

gardening

recipes

A man and woman sitting at a table in the kitchen.

podcast

homesteading

Spatchcock chicken in a cast iron roasting pan with potatoes.

kitchen

A woman sitting on a raised garden bed journalling.

lovely words

Roots and Refuge on YouTube

Did you miss any of our latest videos? Youc an get caught up right here! New videos are added each week!
Come see us LIVE with Gold Shaw Farm in Boston and Charlotte: Tickers available here: https://subscribepage.io/SomethingReal WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLk9kRFRzb3ZZTnRV

I need more food growing (the cozy living room & Christmastime seed starting) | VLOG

2 hours ago

Tickets for In Person Live Event: https://subscribepage.io/SomethingReal Live stream replay with Gold Shaw Farm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOg7lEvySsc WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

25K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLkxHWm1qSTY1MXBV

Home Again (meeting our new calf) | VLOG

December 9, 2025 6:01 pm

Pumpkin video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKTCE8HGBIU WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

37.1K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLjdWc1lGbXRyRmc4

ABUNDANCE | garden vlog

November 22, 2025 3:12 pm

WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

38.5K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLnByZ1MxQjVMRldN

Goodbye Garden | VLOG

November 13, 2025 2:07 pm

Buy tickets here: https://subscribepage.io/SomethingReal Join my friend Morgan from Gold Shaw Farm as we invite you into a little project we've been working on.

35.9K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLmNPZzdsRXZ5U3Nj

An Awkward Announcement

November 10, 2025 8:20 pm

WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

30.4K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLmZKTkdSR21ad0hF

The Farm Dad is Gone (Holding down the fort) | VLOG

November 9, 2025 4:27 pm

The chairs I ordered: https://amzn.to/3WBSdew WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

28.8K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLnVqOFQxZGh4SUtB

Building a fire pit (Family project day) | VLOG

November 3, 2025 11:21 am

WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

38.8K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLmZzSnY5X3pHamV3

The Southeast's BIGGEST Fiber Festival (a yarn lover's dream)

October 27, 2025 4:02 pm

Referenced post on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-176045133 WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

99K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLjU3bGlKNF9LOEJV

Reclaiming the glass house (heartbreak, pumpkins & how to be human)

October 21, 2025 8:38 am

Load More... Subscribe

Shirts & Hoodies

Check out our official MERCH

Grab your R&R gear

Fall in Love with Gardening

Buy Now!
The First Time Gardener book cover.