In the heart of a suburban neighborhood in South Beloit, urban life and farm life meet on Ken and Sandy Brewer’s 10-acre farm. One might think the couple has farmed for decades, but it’s been just six years. Their homesteading lifestyle began when they retired after successful careers in the corporate world.
“If you would have told me I would be farming in retirement, I would have laughed at you,” Ken says. In fact, as the couple neared retirement, they renovated their home, planning to stay there for good.
However, their daughter had a different idea for them when she discovered a “for sale” sign that popped up in the front yard of the farm home her parents would ultimately come to own. She talked her parents into becoming farmers.
“I wanted to retire big, not small,” Sandy explains. “When you retire, you can do the things you always wanted to do, and you can learn whatever you want. So, to me, it’s been exciting. … It’s never too late to start learning something new.”
The property itself, which is on Rock Energy Cooperative lines and just a few miles away from the Wisconsin border, tells a story of resilience and connection to the land about its previous owner. Originally built in 1963, the home and land were meticulously maintained. While the area surrounding the farm became swallowed up by the growing community, the owner refused to sell to land developers.
“He didn’t want to sell to just anyone. We were lucky,” Sandy recalls. “He considered donating the land for a park, but when he saw how we wanted to use it for our kids and grandkids, he chose us.”
Behind the house is a patchwork of farm structures, each previously used and purchased through Facebook Marketplace. The goat barn was once an abandoned building, bought for $150. “It didn’t have a roof or a floor, but we refurbished it,” Sandy says. “We try to reuse what we can; everything has a story.” When their garden shed was delivered, they paid the driver $100 and four roosters for his service.
Moving to the small farm, the couple was initially overwhelmed by a lifestyle neither had much experience with. “We didn’t even grow up on a farm,” Sandy admits. The property has become a living classroom, not only for them but for their four grandchildren as well, ranging from ages 8 to 13. Together, they explore nature, develop responsibilities and work ethics, and learn about the self-sufficiency of farm life.
The family’s foray into caring for farm animals started with chickens. They immersed themselves in research, getting tips online and watching YouTube videos to prepare for the realities of farming.
“Everybody’s advice was to not just go get some chickens and think you’re going to know [what you’re doing], because there’s more to it than that,” Sandy says. “It’s important to be mindful. They are animals, not things. So, we took that advice to heart and studied for a long time. [It was] about six months before we got any animals.
“When we got that first little egg, we were all just like, ‘oh my gosh,’” Sandy recalls, relishing her grandchildren’s excitement. Over time, their flock grew. “There’s a thing called ‘chicken math,’” she says with a laugh — meaning they ended up with many more chickens than initially intended. The few they had quickly multiplied to 40.
But “chicken math” went beyond poultry as the Brewers added animals over the next six years. “We now have two horses, five goats, 30 chickens, two barn cats, three ducks and two dogs,” Sandy lists out. “And a partridge in a pear tree,” Ken finishes with a laugh.
The couple learned the hard way about the realities of animal care, including the emotional weight of euthanizing chickens suffering from illness. “It’s a terrible thing to do, but you have to do it,” Ken says.
They encountered other unexpected mishaps, as well. “We’ve lost 13 hens to foxes this summer,” Sandy says. “Even in town, we deal with urban predators.” Despite the setbacks, the couple has adapted, learning to navigate the complexities of farm life.
“It’s a wonderful lifestyle, but it’s not for the person [who] thinks they can just sit on their porch and look out at the pretty view,” Sandy says. “It’s a small hobby farm, but the chores are real.”
Their daily routine is a blend of hard work and rewarding experiences. Morning chores typically take about an hour, followed by coffee and planning for the day. The couple has adapted to the rigors of farm life, creating systems that make their tasks more manageable and using tools that ease the physical demands of the work. “You have to be able to do it,” Ken shares, noting how they’ve both become stronger through their daily efforts.
Gardening has also become a central focus for the family. “I was 64 when I planted my first tomato,” Sandy recalls, revealing that growing her own food has become a new passion. She started small, nurturing tomatoes and a few other vegetables. The garden has since flourished, prompting them to expand to fruit trees and a pumpkin patch. The Brewers sell some of what they harvest at a produce stand in their front yard.
“It’s so satisfying,” Sandy says. “A garden-grown tomato is a hundred times better than what you find in a grocery store. … When I grew potatoes, I couldn’t believe how different they tasted. They’re like butter.”
The grandchildren have become active participants in the gardening process as well, often returning from school to help with planting and harvesting. As the crops began to flourish, so did the family’s interest in preserving their bounty through canning. The grandchildren took a hands-on approach to this new endeavor, helping to process tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables.
“They love mushing those tomatoes down,” Sandy says with relief, emphasizing the labor-intensive process. “Canning is not an easy task.”
Their retirement has brought unexpected challenges, particularly for Ken, who has faced physical limitations due to health issues and is currently recovering from knee replacement surgery. However, their journey has allowed him to discover his love for animals, going from a reluctant pet owner to a proud caretaker of goats, chickens and cats.
As they look to the future, the couple contemplates adding more animals to their farm, like a miniature donkey for companionship and protection against predators. They plan to continue their farming lifestyle as long as they are able.
“We are not real farmers,” Sandy says, reflecting on how she feels they are “playing farm” when comparing herself to other farmers. “Farmers are the backbone of America. I have more respect than ever for real farmers. They work morning, noon and night, in all kinds of weather. I just have so much respect for them.”
To keep up with the Brewers and life on their farm, follow Sandy on Facebook by searching Sweet Tea Yankee Farm, or check out their blog at sweetteayankeefarm.com.
