The story of Soil & Sol
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 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. I was working as a research ecologist for the State of Florida at the time, while pursuing a graduate degree in optical oceanography. I truly enjoyed this work, but 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.
Devin and I both made huge career shifts at the same time and we decided to leave Florida. When we first made this decision, we thought we would go buy lots of acreage somewhere and start a giant homesteading operation. Thankfully, we were instead re-routed back to our home in Lake Charles where we now have enough projects on our half acre to last us years. We are growing food, building soil, creating habitat, nourishing ourselves, and building true community in our everyday lives. Soil & Sol has emerged naturally out of this way of living.
The Path Forward
Reciprocity, attunement to the land, and gratitude guide us. 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 permaculture and homesteading practices, farm partnerships, herbalism, inspiration from nature, 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 around us.