I’m a wife, a mom of four, a former agriculture teacher, and the founder of the Garden. Farm. Thrive. Academy—a program designed to help busy women like you grow fresh food, bake from scratch, and create a life you love.
I grew up learning the value of this lifestyle, spending mornings in the garden and evenings baking and cooking from scratch. Over the years, I’ve raised chickens, goats, pigs, and more, on everything from a backyard to a 14-acre farm.
But I also know what it’s like to feel too busy or unsure of where to start. After a major health scare in 2020, I realized how important it was to reconnect with the basics—growing food, baking from scratch, and slowing down to savor the simple things.
The good news? You don’t need a ton of time, space, or experience to start making changes that matter.
That’s why I created the Garden. Farm. Thrive. Academy—to give women like you the tools, support, and confidence to grow and create a healthier, more fulfilling life for your family.
It’s not about being perfect or doing everything at once. It’s about making small, intentional changes that fit into your life and add more joy, health, and connection to your days.
You’ve already taken the first step by being here, and I can’t wait to help you take the next one!
Seeing all of the information available online in different places always felt overwhelming. I had tried to grow a garden a couple of times before joining the Academy and never had success. The way that Shelby lays out what to do (and why to do it) makes it all make so much more sense. It's given me the confidence I needed to start and I've not just started, but I'm also actually having success. I went from knowing nothing about a garden to being the person people ask questions to!
- Susan Kamden
The Garden. Farm. Thrive. Academy is our signature program, created to help you build a simpler, more intentional lifestyle—so that you can grow fresh food, bake wholesome meals, and feel confident in providing for your family.
If you’re ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and start making meaningful changes, this program will transform your life and give you the tools to thrive.
Here’s what makes the Academy different from anything you’ve tried before:
The biggest difference in our program? It actually works—and we’ve seen countless women transform their lives by learning how to grow fresh food, bake from scratch, and embrace a simpler, more fulfilling lifestyle. These aren’t pie-in-the-sky ideas; they’re real, actionable skills that make a difference for your family and your health.
Let’s face it—starting something new can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created a community of like-minded women who are on the same journey and ready to support you. Whether you’re asking questions in the group or tuning in to live Q&A sessions, you’ll never feel like you’re doing this alone.
We’ve broken everything down into an easy-to-follow, step-by-step system that takes the guesswork out of gardening, baking, and backyard farming. Whether you’re planting your first seeds or learning how to raise chickens, you’ll always know exactly what to do next.
Often, what holds us back isn’t the “how” but the mental blocks that make us second-guess ourselves. That’s why we focus on building your confidence and teaching you how to approach this lifestyle with a positive, can-do mindset. You’ll learn to quiet the doubts and embrace the progress, one step at a time.
The Academy is all about creating a lifestyle that feels rewarding and intentional, not overwhelming. You’ll learn how to enjoy fresh, homemade meals and nurture your family in a way that doesn’t feel like “one more thing” on your plate. It’s about making progress without the pressure, and loving the journey as much as the results.
I've been impressed by how well organized all of the information and printables are inside the Academy. They aren't just really, really helpful- they're well organized so it's easy to find and they're all really well done. Shelby's attention to detail shines through in all of the videos and resources. I've started making binders with the printable information so it's always handy. The course videos are also really well done and there's information that's relevant if you're a beginner or you've been doing this for a while.
- Tina Kohler
I dreamed about having a farm and garden for years. My husband and I decided a couple of years ago that we wanted to buy a little piece of land out in the country so we could escape the hustle and bustle of living in the city. I wanted a way to be more intentional with my life and unwind at the end of the day. When we moved to our new property, I knew nothing. The property came with a couple of chickens so I had to find a way to learn fast. I have learned so much from Shelby and the Academy and I can't say enough good stuff about it. I've gone from knowing nothing and being a total beginner to feeling confident with a garden and a growing flock of chickens.
- Jenny Inker
Our proven track record of success speaks for itself. Here's what our students have to say!
When I mentioned wanting to garden or bake sourdough to my friends, they didn't get it. Not only have I been able to learn these incredible skills, but I've also found a community of like-minded women that are so supportive and positive.
- Lisa T.
I've tried watching gardening YouTube videos, reading blog posts and I even have a bookshelf filled with books about gardening. But nothing has gotten me results until this. This is the perfect combination of trustworthy knowledge, goal setting, community, support... It's the complete package. You can't get this kind of support from a YouTube video or a blog post.
- Wendy S.
In short- a LOT!
You’ll get access to our full Garden. Farm. Thrive. System, which walks you through everything from planting your first seeds to baking wholesome bread and even starting with backyard chickens or other farm animals. The Academy breaks everything down into simple, actionable steps, so you’ll always know what to focus on next.
Because we want to make your journey as easy and enjoyable as possible, you’ll also receive seasonal gardening plans tailored to your growing zone and detailed guides for planting, maintaining, and harvesting your crops. You’ll get access to a wealth of tutorials and resources covering baking from scratch, preserving fresh foods, and even raising healthy, happy chickens.
You’ll also gain access to our exclusive Academy Member Hub, where you’ll find on-demand video lessons, printable resources, and recipes that make implementing what you learn easier and more convenient. Through the Hub, you can access the community and ask Shelby questions, so you’ll never feel like you’re going it alone.
To keep you motivated, you’ll receive our Success Path poster and stickers, a tangible way to track your progress and celebrate your milestones. Members love this feature because it turns every step into a meaningful achievement, keeping the momentum going as you work toward your goals.
The Academy is designed to meet you where you are, offering a flexible, easy-to-follow approach that works for your schedule and lifestyle. It’s everything you need to create a life filled with fresh food, meaningful moments, and healthier habits.
The Academy features a wide variety of practical, beginner-friendly recipes and projects, including:
✅ Starting a garden, from starting seeds and putting plants in the ground to harvesting.
✅ Garden-to-table recipes like fresh herb pesto, roasted vegetables, and homemade salads.
✅ Sourdough bread and baked goods tutorials for delicious, from-scratch bread, muffins, and more.
✅ Food preservation techniques like canning seasonal produce, freezing fresh herbs, and fermenting vegetables.
✅ Backyard chicken care, including setting up your coop, maintaining flock health, and gathering your first eggs.
These projects are designed to be approachable, enjoyable, and rewarding for the whole family.
That’s totally fine! The Academy is self-paced, so you can start when you’re ready. In the meantime, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to hit the ground running when the time comes.
Think of it as preparing your toolkit for success—you’ll have all the resources you need at your fingertips, ready to go whenever you are.
You’ll receive an email with your login details within minutes of joining. From there, you’ll have immediate access to the Academy Member Hub, where you can explore lessons, download resources, and start working toward your goals right away.
No waiting, no delays—just everything you need to get started.
No experience? No problem! The Academy is designed for absolute beginners. Every lesson is broken down into manageable, step-by-step instructions to take the guesswork out of starting.
From your very first seedling to your first loaf of bread, you’ll gain confidence as you go. Plus, you’ll have access to video tutorials, printable guides, and a supportive community to cheer you on and answer your questions.
Remember, no one is born knowing how to do these things—every expert was once a beginner, and you’ve got everything you need to start and succeed.
We know your life is busy, and that’s why the Academy is designed with flexibility in mind. Most lessons are short and easy to follow (like less than 10-15 minutes), with many projects requiring as little as 30 minutes a day.
Plus, because the program is entirely self-paced, you can progress at your own speed. Whether you’re tackling one project a week or fitting it in during your lunch break, you’ll have the tools and guidance to make it work for your schedule.
By investing just a small amount of time now, you’ll create lasting habits that save you time and stress in the future.
While there’s a wealth of free information online, it’s often overwhelming, conflicting, and scattered. Trying to piece together a plan from YouTube videos and blog posts can leave you feeling stuck and frustrated.
The Academy eliminates that guesswork with a proven, step-by-step system designed to guide you from start to finish. All the resources you need—tutorials, guides, recipes, and expert advice—are in one place, saving you countless hours of searching and trial and error.
Plus, you’ll benefit from a supportive community and expert advice, so you’ll never feel like you’re navigating this journey alone.
For smaller spaces, we cover container gardening, vertical growing, and creative ways to maximize limited areas. No matter where you live, you can create a thriving garden, bake fresh bread, and enjoy the satisfaction of growing and preparing your own food.
Not at all! The Academy is flexible and works for any space. Whether you have a small patio, a suburban backyard, or a sprawling farm, you’ll learn how to make the most of what you’ve got.
Yes! You can cancel your membership at any time by contacting our support team. There’s no long-term commitment, and we’ve made the process as simple as possible.
Keep in mind that if you decide to rejoin later, it will be at the current full price. By sticking with it now, you can lock in your spot and continue building a lifestyle you love.
Absolutely! The Academy equips you with skills and resources that save you money in the long run—from growing your own produce to baking bread at home.
More importantly, the health benefits of fresh, homegrown food and a more intentional lifestyle are priceless. Think of it as an investment in your family’s well-being, your personal growth, and the life you’ve always dreamed of creating.
It’s important to know that this special opportunity to join the Academy at the lowest possible rate is only available to you, and only for the next 5 days. While you may be able to join at a later date, it will be at the standard enrollment rate. Once the timer on this page hits zero, this page—and this offer—will disappear for good.
Don’t wait to take the first step toward a healthier, more intentional life. Lock in your special rate today and start building the lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of.