Since she was a child, Egypt dreamed of a homesteader’s lifestyle. Growing up on a family dairy farm in Southeast Michigan gave her a window in the joys of raising livestock and a deep grounding in her own place within Earth’s living systems. While studying at Michigan State University, Egypt spent time learning the ins and outs of organic vegetable production at the MSU Student Organic Farm, and spent her free time exploring productive homesteading skills such as food preservation, spinning fiber, and processing game. After graduating college, Egypt dedicated her life to family-centered homesteading and community based agriculture systems. She has over a decade’s experience managing a robust urban homestead and multiple urban vegetable farms, and holds a certificate in Permaculture Design.

Egypt has studied integrated, sustainable farming systems on five continents. In France, she learned traditional cheesemaking skills, goat dairy management, and studied biodynamic farming practices. In Peru Egypt studied traditional potato production and learned to spin alpaca wool from local grandmothers. Learning alongside an international cohort of young people dedicated to environmentally conscious agriculture, Egypt visited small integrated farms in rural Japan and observed traditional rice harvesting systems. Most recently, Egypt visited farms and traiditonal food processing operations in South Africa and Zambia through a professional exchange program coordinated through the US State Department & MSU.

In addition to small farming, Egypt is a food preservation master and an avid forager. Every year she fills her family’s pantry with a wide array of canned, dehydrated, frozen, and fermented goods. Managing a productive, healthy household is a deeply held value. She strives to care for her family in ways that promote both physical and emotional health, for both her household and the larger community. Sustainable living and and an empowered, loving childhood that promotes independent learning and capable young people are core family values.