Inspiring Conversations with Jessica Rauser of “The Spot” on the Farm – RR Homestead

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Rauser.

Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
We are city kids who moved our city kids to the country. Like many new farmers, our journey began during the pandemic, but what truly propelled us was the unrest in Minneapolis during the 2020 riots. It was time for us to uproot our growing family, and head somewhere new. We started with a small garden, a couple goats and few KuneKune pigs on a 7 acre wooded property in central Michigan. It wasn’t long before we outgrew that space and found ourselves in Hastings, where we settled into a beautiful home on 30-acres. In that first year, our farm expanded rapidly, and by the start of year two, we knew we had so much more to give to the community that had quickly stolen our hearts.

We started offering classes for all ages, hosting fun events for our community, and really plugging in. We recognized the need for healthier, more affordable food options. We saw that local makers lacked a consistent outlet to share their talents. That’s when we opened a store right on our property, creating an opportunity not only for ourselves but for over 30 local families to share and sell the things they grow, create, and source. Our shelves are filled with everything from handmade soaps, plants, jewelry, and home goods to baby items, skincare products, local honey, maple syrup, teas, jellies, pasture-raised meats from our farm, and all the delicious bread products and baked goods a person could want.

Our mission is to partner with the people who live here—building meaningful relationships, filling the gaps in our broken food system, and offering a space where families can build businesses that support, rather than separate them from, the ones they love.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to getting to where we are now was not easy, and we stumbled many times – both in our personal lives and in the growth of our farm. With no prior experience in farming, animal husbandry, or even the physical demands of the work, we relied entirely on faith. Faith that what we were building mattered. Faith that there was no turning back. We had talked about quitting many times, but thank God we didn’t.

Opening our store while raising four kids and another on the way felt like an impossible dream. We had our doubts, especially being so far from town. Would anyone even come? Somehow, the community showed up and continues to show up for us week after week!

At one point, we faced serious obstacles when a local store in town tried to shut us down. It was a tough and uncertain time, but what happened next was incredible. Our community rallied behind us, offering help, encouragement, and unwavering support. In those difficult weeks, it became crystal clear: this store, this farm, this dream—it mattered. Not just to us, but to the people around us, too.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We’re a small family farm practicing regenerative agriculture—working not just to sustain our land, but to heal and improve it. At the heart of our farm is a growing herd of heritage breed, pasture-raised KuneKune pigs. Our goal is to help close the gaps in our broken food system by reconnecting people with their food, and just as importantly, with the people who produce it.

This isn’t just about a store. It’s about our family, and the families of the 30+ vendors who share this space with us. We’ve become part of the fabric of this community, and we carry that responsibility with deep gratitude and humility.

We want people to feel our mission, not just hear it. Every community deserves a place where they can shop with confidence, knowing their food is clean, their products are safe, and their dollars are going directly to support real families. There’s something powerful and humbling about that connection, and we’re honored to be part of it.

Any big plans?
Looking ahead, our vision is to continue growing, not just in size, but in impact. We want to create more opportunities for local makers, growers, and families to thrive. We dream of expanding our educational programs, offering more classes and hands-on experiences for all ages, so future generations can learn where their food comes from and how to live more connected to the land and each other.

We also hope to serve as a model for what’s possible when a community rallies around small, local agriculture and honest, hard work. We’re committed to deepening our roots here, pouring back into the place and the people who have given us so much.

This is more than a farm, and more than a store—it’s a movement toward something real, something lasting. And we’re just getting started.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.RRHomestead.Farm
• Instagram: jessica_rrhomestead
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/RRHomesteadMi