Hey y’all!

The last time I created a GoFundMe was for my study-abroad trip to India during graduate school in 2015. I was so incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed. That trip ended up being one of the best experiences of my life.

Now, 11 years later, I’m creating a GoFundMe again but this time, I’m asking you to help me build something that will become part of my daughter Joy’s life, too - a living legacy - called Akashic Farms.

I’m building a small homestead and farm in Covington, Louisiana with the long-term vision of creating a nature-based homeschool, working farm, and community gathering place.

I purchased our home in February 2025 through an FHA loan and have spent the past year investing in the property and building the physical foundation for the farm. I built fencing around the perimeter of the acre, constructed a goat paddock and chicken run, and am currently finishing the chicken coop. Unfortunately, part of the perimeter fence was damaged in the storms earlier this year and will need to be rebuilt.

At the same time, I’ve been working toward funding through the USDA’s Beginner Farmer Microloan program. Because the farm is still in its early production stage, I haven’t yet generated the sales history the USDA requires to demonstrate established cash flow. My plan is to continue building production, begin selling our first products, document our yields and expenses, and reapply for USDA funding once we have that history.

In the meantime, I’m asking for help bridging that gap.

Funds raised will help us complete essential farm infrastructure, rebuild storm-damaged fencing, care for our animals, purchase feed and growing supplies, establish our first crops, and move us closer to the point where the farm can begin generating its own income.

Furthermore, I dream to create a homestead/homeschool rooted in nature, where learning is hands-on and woven into everyday life. I want Joy to grow up learning through animals, gardening, music, art, science, literature, cooking, building, and simply being outside. Eventually, I’d love to open parts of that experience to other homeschoolers and families in our community.

And Joy has a dream of her own. She tells me every single day that she wants a stage to perform on the farm. She loves singing, dancing, and performing. She’s been rehearsing since before she was born. I have an ultrasound where she is literally fist-pumping in my belly.

So one day, I want there to be a little stage here. A place where children can sing, dance, play music, read poetry, or simply stand in front of an audience and discover what happens when they are given permission to shine. I want parents to experience the joy of watching their little stars perform in a sunset-sea of chickens.

Ultimately, I envision this property becoming a small community sanctuary - a place where people can reconnect with nature, animals, food, creativity, and one another.

I’d love to eventually offer fresh, locally grown food such as eggs, produce, herbs, and other farm products. I also hope to host experiences and events like goat yoga, sound baths, poetry readings, homeschool field trips, workshops, and children’s musical performances.

We currently have 25 hens. Jolene and Mira are the only two who have officially received names so far. Jolene has an auburn hair poof and green eyes, so naturally she is named after one of my favorite Dolly Parton songs. Mira means “wonder,” which seemed perfect for a chicken with the biggest eyes I have ever seen - eyes that genuinely look full of wonder. We also have three roosters: Bravo, Magnus, and Atlas; one goose, Siggi, aka Mother Goose; and two Nigerian Dwarf goats, Helga and Hoda.

This little farm is already alive. Now I want to give it the opportunity to grow.

Every contribution, whether $10, $30, $100, or more, will help us take another step toward getting the farm into production and turning this vision into something tangible. If you aren’t able to contribute financially, sharing this fundraiser, sending encouragement, or simply following along with our journey means more than you know.

Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for helping us build, and thank you for being part of our story!

With love and gratitude,

Courtney, Joy, and our growing farm family here at Akashic Farms ✨

No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.