The story of Soil & Sol
Soil & Sol is an ecosystem that holds our everyday lives. From the food we eat to the ground beneath our feet, we believe that every little thing is part of a greater whole. Respect for the natural world and a desire to live in harmony are at the core of everything we do.
My background is in environmental science and research, which I pursued out of a desire to care for the Earth and contribute to a more sustainable future. I loved studying ecosystems in an academic setting, but I couldn’t help wondering what the rest of my life would look like in that field.
On January 1, 2025, while reflecting on the year ahead and getting clear on how I wanted my life to feel, it became abundantly clear that I was not on the path leading me to the life I actually wanted to live. The decision hit me like a lightning strike and I left graduate school and my research career shortly after.
I didn’t quite know what was to come next, but I did know that what I truly desired was to have my hands in the dirt, growing food, cooking for people, and creating systems of beauty, love, and nourishment for myself, my community, and the Earth.
When Devin and I left Florida, we thought we would go buy acreage somewhere and start homesteading. Instead, we were re-routed back to our home in Lake Charles. Here on our half acre, we are now growing food, building soil, creating habitat, nourishing ourselves, and fostering community through reciprocity, compassion, and a genuine desire to help our neighbors.
Starting where we are
Reciprocity, attunement to the land, and gratitude guide our practices. We honor the cycles and seasons of life and strive to give more than we take, from ourselves, each other, our community, and the land.
Many of the things growing from Soil & Sol stem from some combination of farm partnerships, permaculture and homesteading practices, herbalism, nature inspiration, and a desire to fulfill needs within our community. Our offerings arise out of a genuine need and a sensible path to fulfilling that need.
We are starting where we are, working with what we have, and allowing Soil & Sol’s growth to evolve naturally from the opportunities, resources, relationships, and community needs around us.