Life … the way it used to be. Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? This is the core value of 1818 Farms, a family-run business/educational farm in rural Alabama. The farm is committed to “preserving history and honoring tradition by working a sustainable farm, producing handmade products, and educating the public on the value of self-sufficiency, craftsmanship, and a strong sense of community.”
Whew! That’s a lot – but we’re so glad they’re doing it. AND, we’re so excited to start offering their exceptional handmade products to you!
After her son convinced her to purchase a few lambs in 2012, “I began to dream my own plans for a small profitable farm where we could teach our children to appreciate the land and animals and to be good conservationists, “Natasha said. “We also wanted to teach them the importance of being self-sustaining.”
Today, less than five years later, that small farm has become not only a reality, but a blossoming business. Aside from hosting farm-to-table meals, children’s summer camps, special events and homesteading classes, Natasha and her family create luscious bath and body products using their homegrown herbs and other all-natural ingredients.
We asked Natasha to share with us some of her favorites from the farm:
Lehman’s: What is your favorite product to make and why?
Natasha: My favorite product to make is our Shea Creme. I enjoy carefully blending the raw butters to create a product with a light and fluffy texture yet it is super concentrated as well. I am proud of the fact that there are just three ingredients in our Shea Creme: Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and an essential oil or fragrance. Over the years I have learned that customers not only want to know where their food comes from but also exactly what they are applying to their skin. The simple ingredients of our Shea Creme meets this need.
Lehman’s: What is your favorite product to use and why?
Natasha: Our Argan Face Serum is a “must have” product for me. I use the serum before bedtime and in the mornings after I cleanse my face. In the morning, I apply sunscreen to my face after the serum has absorbed. It only takes a few drops of this concentrated serum for your skin to feel hydrated. The serum absorbs quickly and is not greasy. I can literally feel my skin soak up every drop once it is applied.
Lehman’s: What was the first product you made?
Natasha: The first product that we made was our Lavender Goat’s Milk Bath Tea Soak. It remains a customer favorite for bath lovers. Our bath tea is addictive! I tell our customers that this is the “go to” bath product when you are in need of relaxation and feeling totally pampered. The combination of the powdered goat’s milk, pink Himalayan salt and cocoa butter leaves your skin feeling soft all over. The dried lavender buds and lavender essential oil in the bath tea are soothing and relaxing. Our all-natural bath tea soak isn’t just a bath….it is an experience!
After using our 1818 Farms Lavender Goat’s Milk Bath Tea your skin will feel as though you have applied lotion…super soft. Bath lovers rave about this product. It is not unusual for us to receive an email or phone call from a customer who takes this bath for the first time and is in awe of its results.
Lehman’s: Why do you do what you do?
Natasha: I am blessed that our farm has brought so many wonderful people into my life that I would have never encountered. Our farm is about relationships. Whether it is a farm tour, a dinner, a workshop, wholesale or retail clients, vendors or employees, I want to get to know them and have a meaningful connection. The farm allows me to do that.
The farm also serves as a teaching platform for my children. I like the fact that they can see how much my husband and I love what we do. I am able to show them that with a plan, dedication and hard work you can be successful and LOVE your job.
