- eli@tyeshouse.org
- 330 Changebridge RD Suite 101 Pine Brook, NJ 07058
Like many of us, Jeff’s journey started with a realization that something in life was deficient. Despite years of faithful living, he found himself lacking the practical skills to provide for his family from the land – the kind of knowledge his grandparents took for granted.
That gap sent Jeff on a decade-long training journey:
ECHO Tropical Agricultural Development Course (Fort Myers, FL), learning food production systems designed for challenging environments aiming toward community development in the global south.
ECHO Tropical Agricultural Development Course (Fort Myers, FL), learning food production systems designed for challenging environments aiming toward community development in the global south.
Well Watered Garden Project training (Alabama), where the possibility of trauma healing through agriculture stirred and shaped further the Lord’s calling.
Well Watered Garden Project training (Alabama), where the possibility of trauma healing through agriculture stirred and shaped further the Lord’s calling.
Along the way, two years of farmer’s market experience selling native perennials, figs, serviceberries, lavender, herbs, and brambles taught him that people are hungry – literally and spiritually – for connection to where their food comes from.
What Jeff discovered wasn’t just agricultural technique. It was a model: agriculture as a vehicle for restoration. The land heals people when people can work on healing the land.
The populations society often discards – veterans, the homeless, those struggling with mental health, the recently released – find purpose and dignity through meaningful work growing food and working alongside the Creator in the Creation.
The Growing Branch exists to develop productive orchards and perennial food systems that serve both the community and the most vulnerable among us. It is a search for abundance without dysfunctional dependency.
Not charity. Restoration through participation.
The Growing Branch exists to develop productive orchards and perennial food systems that serve both the community and the most vulnerable among us. It is a search for abundance without dysfunctional dependency.
Not charity. Restoration through participation.
In late 2025, Jeff identified an opportunity: 16 acres of underutilized land at the TJ Evans Foundation property in Newark, Ohio, managed by Together We Grow (a local food security nonprofit). The property included roughly 10 fruit trees – apple, plum, cherry, peach, and kiwi – planted approximately four years ago but largely neglected since.
Jeff proposed a partnership: The Growing Branch would rehabilitate and professionally manage the orchard at no cost to TWG, eventually developing a U-pick operation that serves the public while creating work opportunities for service populations.
As of early 2026, the partnership is active. Trees are being pruned. The vision is taking root.
In late 2025, Jeff identified an opportunity: 16 acres of underutilized land at the TJ Evans Foundation property in Newark, Ohio, managed by Together We Grow (a local food security nonprofit). The property included roughly 10 fruit trees – apple, plum, cherry, peach, and kiwi – planted approximately four years ago but largely neglected since.
Jeff proposed a partnership: The Growing Branch would rehabilitate and professionally manage the orchard at no cost to TWG, eventually developing a U-pick operation that serves the public while creating work opportunities for service populations.
As of early 2026, the partnership is active. Trees are being pruned. The vision is taking root.
Jeff is building The Growing Branch using the four revenue streams framework – multiple income sources that reinforce each other and build toward sustainable family farm ministry.
Active
Developing
Planned
Planned
Jeff is building The Growing Branch using the four revenue streams framework – multiple income sources that reinforce each other and build toward sustainable family farm ministry.
Active
Developing
Planned
Planned
As the four revenue streams mature, The Growing Branch aims to develop housing that enables deeper investment in the people it serves. You can’t disciple someone in a two-hour workshop. Real restoration requires proximity, time, and relationship.
The orchard becomes not just a production site, but a place of belonging where people rebuild their lives while rebuilding the land.
As the four revenue streams mature, The Growing Branch aims to develop housing that enables deeper investment in the people it serves. You can’t disciple someone in a two-hour workshop. Real restoration requires proximity, time, and relationship.
The orchard becomes not just a production site, but a place of belonging where people rebuild their lives while rebuilding the land.
The Growing Branch is featured as part of the Local Food Heroes network – a community of families and individuals implementing the four revenue streams model for financially sustainable, agriculturally-focused ministry.
Whether you’re just starting or years into the journey, if you’re building something similar, we’d love to hear from you.
Local Food Heroes is a program of Tye’s House 501(c)3 localfoodheroes.org | tyeshouse.org
Local Food Heroes is a program of Tye’s House 501(c)3
localfoodheroes.org | tyeshouse.org
This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number CNE25-001.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
