LANEXA – At Choose Joy Farm, a multigenerational legacy meets hands-on learning, as owner Mollie Romero continues a family tradition that dates back more than a century.
Romero said her connection to farming began long before she officially launched her own operation.
“I actually started farming in 2008,” she said. What began as a personal effort to improve her health, raising animals and producing her own food, eventually grew into something larger.
“I had a cow at the time, we had goats, we got the honeybees and everything,” Romero added.
After a pause around 2017, when Romero took a break, she said the farm began to evolve in a new direction as people reached out for guidance.
“People would call me and be like, “Hey, my friend told me that you used to raise animals. And I have all of these questions. Can I come to your house?” she said. “And it kind of turned into classes.”
That shift laid the foundation for what Choose Joy Farm has become today.
“It just evolved from me trying to make myself healthy to teaching,” Romero said.
The farm itself carries deep roots in the community. Romero’s family has worked the land for generations, dating back to 1917.
“My great grandpa, he was born in 1900. And he bought the farm that I live on when he was 17,” she said. Over time, the property expanded piece by piece, and the family used it for a variety of agricultural ventures, from selling produce to crafting goods.
That legacy continues to shape her work today, not only through farming but through education.
“People also need to know like where their food comes from,” she said. “They need to know what it takes to raise a goat, to get a gallon of milk.”
Goats have become central to the farm’s operations, and its appeal. Romero said she turned to goats after realizing cows required more resources and labor.
“Goats are so much easier to handle. They’re really hardy. They’re really good at like clearing brush,” she said. “They do all my work for me.”
They also bring personality to the farm.
“I always say, they’re like my own little yard circus,” Romero said.
That energy is especially evident during baby goat season, which is currently underway. Romero noted that the farm recently welcomed four babies born just last week.
“We are up to 28. I would say we’ll finish out the year at like 35,” she said.
Visitors to the farm can experience the animals up close, including bottle-fed baby goats. These interactions are paired with education, as Romero shares practical knowledge with guests.
“While you’re snuggling, you can listen to me ramble about all the things,” she said, including topics like feeding, housing and animal care.
In addition to informal learning, the farm offers structured classes throughout the year. Participants learn everything from milking techniques to animal care basics.
“I try to show people how to use the milking machine, show people how to hand buy milk,” she said.
The farm’s offerings extend beyond goats.
“We do chickens, pigs, we have rabbits, ducks, chickens, and then the goats as well,” Romero said. Classes also cover topics such as soap-making and herbal uses.
Romero hopes visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for agriculture.
“I hope that they feel like more connected to like agriculture in general,” she said. “We want them to come out to the farm and then leave with enough knowledge so that they feel comfortable doing those things.”
Looking ahead, the farm will host seasonal activities such as baby pig and duck experiences.
“We’ll be doing the baby pig class, we’ll be doing a goat milk soap class,” she said, along with “a baby duck day where everybody can come out and play with baby ducks.”
For Romero, Choose Joy Farm is more than a business, it is a continuation of family history and a way to share knowledge with the community.
For more information or to schedule a class, visit eventbrite.com
