Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mary Bowen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mary, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for my farm camp started during a season of deep tension—when I was trying to honor my calling as a livestock farmer, homeschool mom, and faithful steward, but struggling to make it all work financially without sacrificing time or values. I was in the pasture checking on our goats, thinking through the logistics of another off-farm job opportunity that would’ve pulled me away from my family again. I remember praying and asking, Lord, is there another way?

That moment sparked a shift. I realized I was already doing the work—educating my children through hands-on experiences in animal care, land stewardship, and faith-led responsibility. I didn’t need to create something new. I needed to open the gates and share what we were already living.

So I tested the idea. I invited a small group of families to bring their children for a summer experience on the farm. The response was immediate and passionate. Parents were searching for real, screen-free, meaningful opportunities where their kids could get outside, learn new skills, and reconnect to something deeper—and they wanted a place where their faith and values were respected. That’s exactly what we offered.

What made it worthwhile wasn’t just the income—it was the impact. I saw kids come alive around the animals, gain confidence, and ask big questions about how food is raised. I saw moms breathe a sigh of relief knowing their kids were learning in a safe, structured, value-centered environment.

It solved a unique problem: families wanted connection, purpose, and hands-on education rooted in integrity. And farmers like me needed a way to generate income without leaving the land. This wasn’t just a camp. It was a bridge—between farm and family, values and vocation.

Now, I not only host our own camps at Prosperity Acres, but I also teach other women farmers how to do the same—because when God gives you a solution that brings life, you don’t keep it to yourself.

Mary, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Mary Bowen, a faith-driven livestock farmer, homeschool mom, and founder of Faithful Farmer and Prosperity Acres, where our mission is to help farm families thrive—spiritually and financially—right where they are. My journey into this work wasn’t glamorous—it was born out of grit, prayer, and the reality of raising livestock, children, and a business at the same time.

I’ve spent over 20 years in federal contract work, but my heart has always been rooted in the land. What started as a small goat operation has grown into a multi-faceted farm business that includes meat sales, grazing services, and educational offerings for families and farmers. When I realized how many women like me were juggling faith, family, and farm life—but still feeling financially stuck or burned out—I knew I had to do more than just farm. I had to lead.

Today, I help Christian women farmers create income-producing systems on their farms—starting with our signature Farm Camp Pro Kit™ that teaches how to host children’s farm camps for seasonal revenue. I also created the Faithful Farmer Purpose Path™, a course designed to help women reset their nervous system and align their farm vision with biblical principles of stewardship, peace, and profit.

What sets us apart is our values. Everything we offer is built on faith, integrity, and proven strategies—not just feel-good inspiration. I believe farming is more than a lifestyle. It’s a ministry. Our work teaches practical systems while honoring the God-given calling of each woman we serve.

I’m most proud of the ripple effect. We’ve helped women stay on their farms when they were ready to give up. We’ve seen them go from burned out to boldly building farm businesses that bless their families and their communities. And we’ve proven that you don’t have to choose between your calling and your provision—you can have both.

For anyone meeting me for the first time, here’s what I want you to know: You don’t have to leave your land to find success. You don’t have to abandon your values to build a business. And you don’t have to do this alone. God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called. And I’m here to walk with you every step of the way.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

As a farm girl and former federal contractor, I was raised on grit, discipline, and pushing through. I believed that if I just worked longer hours, filled every gap, and carried the load myself, then the business would thrive, the farm would succeed, and everything would eventually fall into place. But over time, I realized that mindset was slowly burning me out—and it wasn’t biblical.

I was doing all the “right” things, but I was worn thin emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I had to confront the truth: working harder isn’t the same as working wisely or faithfully. The breakthrough came when I surrendered the outcome and stopped striving in my own strength. I started asking, What has God actually called me to build—and what am I clinging to out of fear or pride?

That shift led me to build systems, delegate, and lean more into prayer and planning than pure hustle. It’s why I now teach other women farmers to build income-generating systems rooted in stewardship, not stress. Because hustle might build a business, but obedience builds a legacy.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Building my farm camp from scratch is the clearest picture of resilience in my journey.

When I first felt the nudge to open up our farm to families, there was no manual, no roadmap, and certainly no guarantees. I didn’t have a background in education or tourism—just a strong conviction that what we were doing on the farm could bless other families and generate income without pulling me off the land. So I started small, with handwritten plans, borrowed supplies, and pure determination.

That first year, I built every part of the camp myself—curriculum, setup, safety protocols, marketing, registration, communication with families, all while managing livestock and homeschooling. There were days I was up before sunrise working animals, then leading camp activities with a smile, and collapsing at night wondering if I could really sustain it. But I kept going.

And then I saw the transformation in the kids—and the relief on the parents’ faces—and I knew it was worth it.

The real grit came when I decided not to stop with just hosting my own camp. I built out a full course to teach other women how to launch their own farm camps. That meant documenting every system, refining the process, answering hundreds of questions, and creating something scalable while still running the farm.

I didn’t come from a tech background. I didn’t have a team in the beginning. But I did have a deep calling and the willingness to push through when it would’ve been easier to stay small and quiet.

That’s resilience. Showing up, figuring it out, and then turning the struggle into a solution others can use.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.faithfulfarmer.com www.prosperityacres.com
• Instagram: @faithfulfarmercoach
• Facebook: @faithfulfarmercoach

Image Credits

Photo was taken by Jacqueline Bowen