How God blessed our Oshtemo Township family farm and turned pumpkins into a testimony of faith, perseverance, and community.

So just to be clear — no, Farmer Ken and I had no experience in real farming before we started our 29-acre pumpkin farm in Oshtemo Township, MI this year. I had small gardens over the years, but three seasons ago I finally gave up after Colorado beetles and tomato worms won the battle.

But then came the question: why not us? Why not plant our newly acquired farmland with pumpkins? For decades this soil has supported corn, soybeans, and even watermelons. Other farmers believed in this sandy ground, and with prayer, we decided to do the same.

From Backyard Gardens to a 29-Acre Pumpkin Farm in Oshtemo Township

We don’t have fancy farm equipment or deep pockets. What we do have is grit — and faith. With our “Little Boomer that Could” tractor, we began tilling the fields. I dug through old seed packets and thought it would be easy. Just throw down seeds and wait, right?

Of course, it wasn’t that easy. Planting row after row by hand — beans, peas, zucchini, cucumbers, 150 tomato plants, melons, flowers, squash and the 16,000 pumpkins seeds still waiting their turn to go in — the work was backbreaking. By mid-June, I found myself ankle-deep in hot dirt, overwhelmed with self-doubt.

When Self-Doubt Hit, God Spoke Loudly

In that moment of  frustration and sunburn I was ready to tell Ken I was done, God sent me a sign. A thick, undeniable smell of roses filled the air — though we had no roses anywhere near the field. It was so strong I almost choked on it. Roses in June? No. That was God’s way of making sure I knew His presence, His promises, and His blessing over our land.

I gave Him praise right then and there and He gave me Philippians 4:13 — I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Challenges Beyond Farming: Township Hurdles & Red Tape

Of course, it wasn’t just the crops that were hard. Living in Oshtemo Township, we quickly found that our biggest battles weren’t just with weeds or bugs — but with ordinance codes, property tax assessments, and endless township red tape.

We’ve had to fight to convince the township to properly assess us as agriculture, pursue our rightful tax recap, and go through an expensive and exhausting process just to open our farm stand with photo props in Oshtemo. Add this to full-time running my web development company, keeping the property updated, raising a family, and the stress was overwhelming.

I’ve always believed in standing firm on what’s right. But this fight — it felt like trying to nail Jell-O to a tree. More than once, I cried in frustration and leaned heavily on prayer for wisdom.

Working away on the administrative drama, papers and binders of law and notes all while supporting my husband at an out of town medical care visit I felt crushed with the pressure. I heard the awful whisper - "Just give up, its not worth it, you're wrong."

But when Ken woke shortly after, he was unaware I was ready to quit - but he told me of a strange dream he just had — an old acquaintance encouraging us to keep going it would work out — I knew it was God again, telling us not to give up.

Romans 8:31 — If God is for us, who can be against us?

Battling Weeds, Beetles, and the Summer Sun

We were already learning how tough farming is. 25 acres of Colorado beetles, squash beetles, cucumber beetles, and the deer were relentless. We stuck with our beliefs and used organic pesticides while pulling weeds row by row.

By August, with 8-hour farm shifts stacked on top of our regular jobs, the stress boiled over. The sun was brutal, the soil was dry, the to-do list endless, and anxiety was heavy. That’s when God stepped in again — the skies broke open, pouring rain, followed by a double rainbow, arched so low across our back field.

Genesis 9:16 tells us: “Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures.” That rainbow wasn’t just a weather event — it was a promise.

Rainbows, Rain, and God’s Promises on the Farm

My faith has grown right alongside every seed on this farm. When I questioned everything, I should have trusted that God already had a plan — to use this land, and our family, to glorify Him.

This farm is more than pumpkins. It’s a living testimony of God’s blessings, His provision, and His call for us to live closer to Him and His creation. We hope every family who visits Little Pistol Farms in Oshtemo Township feels that same joy when they pick a pumpkin, walk the rows, or taste fresh produce grown in faith.