Check Out Devorah Hudon’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Devorah Hudon. They and their team shared their story with us below:

The Hudon Herb Farm is a family-run business involving all seven members: parents Jeff and Leslie Hudon and adult children Shoshana, Rebekah, Devorah, Nathanael, and Daliyah. The idea for starting a business came from our Mom (Leslie Hudon), an avid gardener, coupled with the desire for our family to live a healthier lifestyle by making use of the natural resources given to us by our Creator. Dad (Jeff Hudon) had experienced a heart attack, which jump-started the journey.

We soon became a plant-based family for the health benefits such a lifestyle provides for people with heart disease. While educating herself about the nutrition found in plant-based foods, Mom also discovered the amazing health benefits of natural herbs. Our family’s long-held desire to open a U-pick farm perfectly matched this newly found recognition of herbal benefits for culinary uses and health. We were unaware of any local U-pick farms offering medicinal herbs. Mom knew this was the direction we needed to follow.

In 2019, I (Devorah) and my two older sisters, Shoshana and Rebekah, purchased a 12-acre property with the expressed goal of transforming it into a U-pick herb farm. After seeing how the pandemic changed people’s view of health and wellness, we were confident we’d made the right decision. The farm currently has over 2 acres planted with 70 varieties of herbs, all available for picking during the summer months, and a small shop that is open year-round. Medicinal tinctures, hygiene products, skincare, cosmetics, seasonings, teas, aroma therapy blends, and perfumes are also offered.

Some of the herbs and materials used by the farm are outsourced due to the plants not being fully mature (examples being White Willow or Hawthorn) or simply because current quantities fail to cover the demand (e.g. herbs for essential oils). The goal of the farm is to eventually grow and harvest all of our herbs “in-house.” Naturally, much work remains, but we are excited for the plans God has for this business.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Our family has had our share of hardships, such as being able to put money back into the business, learning growth habits of all the varieties of herbs, as well as the manual labor it requires to keep up with the property. One struggle that we are still experiencing has been the learning curve involved in running a business. No one in the family had a background in business or farming before this so we’ve had to learn a lot very quickly.

We still strive to educate ourselves as much as possible and have been blessed to have other local small businesses and farmers willing to answer our questions and give advice. The road hasn’t been easy but has ultimately been beneficial in the growth of our farm. We still have a long way to go; however, when we look back at all we have accomplished, we are proud of how far we’ve come. Our family continues to strive to do better for the future of our farm, our family, and our community.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My role in the business is growing, planting, and caring for the herbs. From selecting which herb seeds to purchase, planting and caring for the seedlings as they grow, to transplanting outside in the U-pick field, as well as joining the rest of the family in harvesting, it is a stressful responsibility.

However, I find it a rewarding and satisfying role.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, we lived in a suburb of Seattle, but we still had a little garden. Mom was learning even then how to plant and grow, and we were learning along with her. We loved being able to pick our own Vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

We often wished we could live on a farm and be able to have animals and space all around. So moving to Southwest Michigan, and living on a farm with so much space and room to grow, it is like our childhood dreams have become a reality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hudonherbfarm.com/
• Instagram: @hudonherbfarm
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HudonHerbFarm