“We knew we wanted this life the day we met. The heart knows what it wants.”

Rich and Liz Gardner, owners of Fieldstone Farm in Brookfield, Ohio, don’t waste time. After dating for just eight weeks, they got engaged. Four years later, they purchased the 25 acres that would become their forever home.

The couple moved into an RV on the property as a temporary home while they began building their dream homestead. However, just a few months after settling in, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. But it didn’t stop them from pursuing their vision. They started by transforming the land into a place that reflected their dreams—complete with a wildflower field, an apple orchard and a chicken coop whose hens were named after country music legends like Dolly, Reba and Patsy.

During that time, they also began thinking about what to call their farm. As Rich cleared the property, they uncovered an abundance of fieldstones buried beneath the soil. "We kept hitting stone after stone," Rich recalled. "Then we discovered huge piles in the woods that the previous owner had moved out of the way while clearing the land—just as we were doing now."

When it came to the logo, Liz had a clear vision. She arrived at our kickoff meeting with examples of designs she liked and disliked, making it easy to understand the direction she wanted to take.

"I want something simple, classic and elegant," she said. "I want the logo to reflect the serenity we feel here and the experience we hope to share with future guests and visitors to the farm."

Having visited the property several times, I immediately understood what she meant. I was struck by the muted colors of the fresh eggs, the seemingly endless shades of green across the landscape, and Liz's thoughtfully curated palette of soft blacks, warm creams, natural wood tones and subtle gold accents. Those details became the foundation for creating a brand identity that felt as timeless and welcoming as Fieldstone Farm itself.

In 2025, they began to build their dream home, a 5,400 square foot barndominium with their own two hands, with help from friends, family and a local Amish family down the road. To follow along on their homesteading journey, follow them on Instagram @fieldstonefarm_oh.