In a world where screens dominate and convenience often trumps effort, Emily and Cole Martin took a leap of faith to give their children something more profound—lessons in hard work, perseverance, and a deep-rooted connection to the land. The couple, both 27, swapped their three-bedroom home for a 19-acre farm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, complete with 68,000 chickens, not just to fulfill a lifelong dream but to instill in their children the values that come from working with your hands.

Chasing a Shared Dream

For Emily and Cole, the dream of farm life was not a sudden impulse but a shared aspiration seeded long ago. Both grew up within agricultural communities and were deeply influenced by that upbringing. Cole's journey started young—working on a farm at just 11 years old. “My husband is the hardest worker I know,” Emily says with pride. “He has always had a job that relates to farming, and I have always had a dream of running a farm for ourselves.”

That dream materialized in November 2024 when, after a stint working on a farm, Cole received a life-changing call. A farm was coming up for sale. Emily recalls, “My husband is a big dreamer, I am much more realistic and ask whether or not we can afford to do it. This time around, he called and told me that this couple wanted to sell the farm and if we wanted it and I said sure.”

With a shared vision and determination, the Martins dived headfirst into the demanding world of egg farming.

Learning to Juggle It All

Transitioning to farm life has been anything but easy. Between raising two young boys, aged one and three, and managing the daily demands of the farm, Emily admits, “The hardest part has been trying to juggle everything. Getting the eggs packed, making sure that the boys have had the attention they need. And then going out to help Cole with the chicken houses.”

The Martins quickly realized that farm life isn’t a job but a lifestyle—one that demands seven days a week of effort. “Even going into it, you know it is a seven-day job, but it doesn't hit you until you get into it,” Emily shares candidly. Despite the whirlwind of responsibilities, the couple finds fulfillment in seeing their produce come to life. “You get to produce a product for a large group of people—we are helping feed the country,” Emily reflects.

Cole agrees, emphasizing the rewarding nature of their work: “It’s amazing to see something go from essentially nothing to a full-grown product, and knowing you were the one to get it to that point working with the weather that God gives you.”

Farming Lessons for Life

At the heart of their decision to uproot their lives is the desire to teach their children life’s invaluable lessons. Emily believes that growing up on a farm will teach her boys the importance of hard work and resilience. “We have always thought that there is no better way to raise our kids than to teach them the ropes on a farm,” she says.

She envisions her children learning not just the technical aspects of farming but life skills that go far beyond the barn. “We’ve always thought it would be the best place to raise kids because it can help teach them so many different things—hard work, how to work with the ground, work with animals, work with their hands, problem-solve,” Emily explains.

Beyond that, she wants them to grasp an even more profound lesson: “It will also give them an understanding that not everything comes easy, and respect for life itself after seeing all that it takes to keep things running.”

A Future Rooted in Faith and Family

While the Martins are still figuring out certain aspects of their new life—like whether to homeschool their children—their commitment to raising them in a farm environment is unwavering. “We're not sure about home-schooling. That is something we have talked about, but haven't made any final decisions,” Emily admits.

For now, they’re embracing the whirlwind of farm life, holding tight to their faith and family. “This is how we grew up,” Emily says, her voice filled with both nostalgia and determination. “We are excited to finally fulfill our dream of raising our children on a farm.”

Their story is a powerful reminder that the best lessons in life often come from rolling up your sleeves, getting your hands dirty, and never backing down from hard work. As the Martins nurture their land, they are also cultivating a legacy of perseverance, integrity, and love for their children—one egg at a time.

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