If you knew us before the farm, you know that in 2020 we converted a lettuce delivery van, which we appropriately named the Iceberg, into our full-time dwelling. Living in a converted Sprinter van wasn’t part of the “long-term plan,” but it ended up being one of the most transformative experiences of our lives. When we first hit the road, it was with the vague hope of finding freedom and exploring the open road. Little did we know, that tiny home on wheels would teach us lessons that would lay the foundation for our next big leap—starting a farm.

 

 

That year of van life didn’t just teach us how to cook in cramped quarters, navigate the challenges of minimalism, and change an alternator in an O’Reilly’s parking lot. It taught us how to truly embrace the unknown, communicate under pressure, and adapt to constant change. These lessons have proven to be the backbone of our new adventure. Here are a few of the lessons from van life that have prepared us for the next chapter of our lives:

 

   

 

It’s Okay to Start Over

One of the biggest lessons van life taught us was how to start fresh, even when it feels uncomfortable. We didn’t just change our location; we changed our entire way of living. We gave up the comforts of a traditional home—like a spacious kitchen, a reliable shower, and a fixed address—in favor of a mobile, ever-changing lifestyle. That mindset of embracing change and seeing it as an opportunity rather than a setback is one we carry with us now.

Being able to sell most of our belongings, pack our life into a van and move across the country was probably the craziest thing we’ve ever done. But buying raw land and starting a farm with near-zero equipment or experience was an enormous leap too.

Similar to van life, farming isn’t something you can fully prepare for from books or Pinterest boards. When you’re working with the land, weather, animals, and crops, there’s always something new to learn. Just like when we first brought the Iceberg home and began gutting the refrigeration parts and started designing our tiny home, there were many times we felt out of our depth. We learned that it’s okay to start small, mess up, and start over. Starting a business isn’t usually quick success—it’s a slow burn. Embracing that “starting over” mentality has helped us remain flexible and open to the challenges ahead.

It’s also okay to start over after you’ve put a lot of time and energy into something. If it’s not right, it’s not right. Knowing when to cut your losses and walk away is one of the most important things van life has taught us.

 

 

Communication is Everything

Living in a van forces you to be close—like, really close. When you’re sharing around 40 square feet of living space, the importance of clear, honest communication becomes crystal clear. We learned to express our needs and frustrations without letting things simmer until they boiled over. (Not without a few failures, of course) Whether it was decisions about the layout of our van or planning our next place to park it, we had to be on the same page.

The farm life isn’t much different. In fact, it’s often even more demanding, especially when you throw the livelihood of plants and animals into the mix. Whether it’s deciding where to budget our finances, what blend of pasture seed to plant, where to put the beds for our U-Pick, or how to dedicate our time, being able to communicate effectively has been one of the key skills we’ve carried from van life into farming. Misunderstandings are inevitable, but having the tools to talk things through, especially when the stakes are high, is essential. The farm demands constant teamwork—just like van life did.

 

 

We Can Do Anything for a Year

When van life got hard, there was one mantra we found ourselves repeating: We can do anything for a year. When the alternator stopped charging our batteries and we were without power for days, when a leak sprung in our ceiling during a storm in the middle of the night, when temperatures inside the van were too high for our dog and we had nowhere to go for AC—we’d remind ourselves that we would get through it. We knew that somehow we’d problem solve and power through the tough moments, we always did.

Farming and more specifically, starting a farm business, is very much a year-round, long-term commitment. But that same mantra has come in handy on this journey. Starting from scratch is not easy. Making this dream happen has truly tested our endurance. We’re pushing hard now, to reap the rewards later. Here in the Midwest, everything is seasonal. We remind ourselves that we will make it through the height of summer and the mad-dash of fall. We take each day as it comes. That “we can do anything for a year” mantra keeps us motivated and grounded. It helps us face the hardest days, knowing that perseverance always leads to growth—and hopefully, a bountiful harvest.

 

 

 

Flexibility is Key

Living in the van, plans were constantly changing. We never knew where we would sleep or what the next day would hold. Between unexpected detours, a vehicle breakdown, or finding the perfect spot to camp, flexibility became second nature to us. We learned to stop being rigid and to embrace whatever came our way.

That same flexibility is absolutely essential in farming. No matter how much planning we do, the weather (and the animals) have a way of throwing curveballs. We’ve had record-breaking rainfall, equipment break down at the most inconvenient times, and the inevitable “surprise” pest invasions that turn into full-blown battles. What we learned on the road—being willing to pivot and to make the best of any situation—has helped us keep a level head during unpredictable moments.

 

 

We Don’t Need Much to Be Happy

Minimalism was one of the most eye-opening aspects of van life. Living with only the essentials—clothes, food, a small amount of gear—taught us how little we actually need to be comfortable and content. We realized that stuff wasn’t what really brought us joy.

When we moved back to Minnesota and started Woodflower Farm, we carried that lesson with us. Life became simple: work with your hands, live with what you need, and appreciate the little things—sharing a cold beer after a full day of planting, watching the Monarchs pollinate your flowers, collecting the first egg from a brand new layer. The beauty of both van life and farming is in stripping away the excess and finding contentment in what truly matters.

 

 

Resilience Grows in Tough Times

Finally, van life taught us resilience. We learned how to overcome setbacks, adapt to tough conditions, and stay hopeful even when things weren’t going our way. There were moments on the road when it felt like everything was falling apart. One sleepless night in particular comes to mind—the one spent in a sketchy $50 motel because our alternator failed.

Now, as we embark on our farming journey, we’re grateful for those hard lessons. They’ve shaped how we approach challenges on the farm, reminding us that setbacks don’t mean failure—they’re just part of the process.

 

 

Van life wasn’t easy, and neither is starting a farm. But both have given us the confidence and skills to take on what comes our way. From embracing uncertainty and building communication to learning that resilience isn’t just a trait—it’s a muscle you build—we’ve found that the lessons we learned in our tiny home on wheels are the same lessons that are helping us grow our new life on the farm.

So, here’s to new beginnings, no matter how small or big they seem. And here’s to knowing that with patience, flexibility, and a willingness to start over, we can handle whatever life throws our way. One season at a time.