The Betsy Blue Farm was founded by Michelle, and had been dreamt of through her early years of childhood into adulthood. Michelle was raised in an agricultural family. Growing up, she watched her grandparents, aunts and uncles, and her mom and dad work and live on a large family dairy farm in Hondo, TX.
Her immediate family moved from Hondo, TX to Austin, TX at age 7. The family dairy ran full steam until the mid 2000s, and her family would visit on weekends. Although they no longer lived in Hondo, TX, her passion for agriculture still remained. To stay in contact with her roots, Michelle rode horses starting at age 10, and she joined Future Farmers of America (FFA) her Sophomore year of high school. She raised and showed sheep, pigs, and chickens for three years. At the start of her senior year she realized that she wanted to become a sheep breeder for FFA/4H. She raised a ewe named Betsy that had a baby sheep named Blue. She enjoyed the process immensely, and this experience was one of her inspirations to start the farm.
After graduating from high school, she attended college at Texas A&M University and Tarleton State University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics with a focus in Agribusiness Management. After college, she moved back to Hondo, TX and started working on her farm dream.
Her grandparents had both passed and the dairy had dwindled down by the time she returned. She moved onto the family land and started with two miniature goats and a garden. Self-sufficiency became the new dream, and too much milk inspired her to start making lye goat milk soap. She also started breeding miniature goats and growing produce enough to start her own business. The name that was selected for the business was “The Betsy Blue Farm” which is present on every label today.
As of September 2018, the farm expanded even more onto a leased location in San Antonio. We are providing fresh, organically grown, in-season vegetables to more families around our area through our CSA box, markets, select stores, chefs, and our road side stand. Now the farm provides the community areas of Hondo, Castroville, Boerne, Bandera, and San Antonio with fresh non-certified organic produce, goat milk soap, and canned goods.
In 2020, we were able to start farming on four acres – three in production and one in cover crop in rotation. A long way from the one acre in 2018 and the small backyard garden in 2013! We use mechanized agriculture practices such as a seeder and cultivator, yet have 5 women volunteers (and their families) that come out to help weed, seed, pick, and so much more.
Every day is a new and exciting adventure of learning and hard work. We are proud to share our bounty with you! Thank you for your support!
Creator and Founder: Michelle Steubing
The Betsy Blue Farm 