BOUT US

Answering the Call

Our dreamvision is to grow wilder everyday. To reconnect with the child in all of us that aches to go outside. To strengthen the instincts that somehow got buried under a bunch of stress, frankenfood, and by every other thing that prevents us from STANDING LIKE A HUMAN.

Most of all we want to share our evolution, stories & a homebrew with other Wildsteaders.

Does this resonate with you? If so, lets connect & move forward together.

Our Origin Story

We’re Nicolette & Jonathan Sowder (rhymes with chowder) – two strange birds chasin a dream.

Here are the specs:

Jonathan: Father, soil scientist, birder, lumberjack & lover of Nicolette. Knickname: Johnny Maps. Has a habit of: somehow working, “cave men” into all conversations.

Nicolette: Stay at home mother, writer, fledgling  herbalist, technologist (nerd) & kisser of Jonathan. Knickname: Depending on the state you’re in either, “The Farm Fatale” or, “Mongoose”. Has a habit of: singing to vegetables.

We fell in love at first sight, bought a geodesic dome greenhouse, and moved onto Nicolette’s parents’ house & three acres in Dyer, Indiana (because we spent all our money on the dome). We lived together as one big happy family (um, no we had lots of intense dynamics & some difficult moments especially because our first baby was on the way – everyones’ hormones were all amped up! But we worked & loved each other & believed and now we’re all bonded). It was invaluable – we gardened, hugelkultured, fermented, and even raised two pigs (Sausage & Miss Francine Bacon).

All the while we were spiraling further and further up the rabbit hole devouring all things green, natural, organic, permacultury but most of all WILD! Every day we discovered another hero. Forget about the road less travelled, these people were off somewhere in the thicket following a hunch.

The Michigan Farmstead

More things happened that were awesome. In December of 2013, we took a leap of faith and purchased a 40 acre plot of land with two houses on it near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Oh and we magically became parents (can someone explain to us where babies come from!). Here is our progeny, Cora Antoinette. She was almost named, “Meadow” but Nicolette’s sister said it was too corny.

We’ve spent this winter learning the realities of homeownership, being landlords, getting in tune with rural life, and plotting what could possibly be the busiest Spring of our lives. Here is the lay of the land & our aspirations.

Are You Still Here?

We’re shocked that you’ve made it to the bottom of this rambling page. If you’re still here, sign up and become a Wildsteader. You should still do it even if you are scared. Fear can really be transformative so we hear.