KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, Fla. – It all started with a simple request from Chelsa Moody’s daughter.
“She came running to me in the kitchen and said, ‘Mommy, can I have those seeds?’” Moody said.
That moment grew into Very Moody Farm, LLC, a hobby-turned-homestead in Keystone Heights -- where the family now raises a lively mix of animals and sells what they produce.
“Then we decided to move out of the city to the country to do a little more extended version of homesteading,” Moody said.
The animal count grew quicker than anticipated for this Clay County homesteader.
“We started with a rabbit, and then we had 14 chickens,” Moody said. “Then, we got two goats…then we got two more goats…and then we got two more goats.”
Walking around the backyard feels like a barnyard extravaganza: Ameraucana chickens in multiple color varieties, pheasants and even peacocks -- an addition requested by Moody’s husband, Matthew.
Chelsa Moody says she gets a helping hand from her daughter, Brooke, and her son, Robby.
She describes the operation as something between a passion project and a small business.
“I call myself a professional hobby farm,” Chelsa said. “Everything here that you see here, we sell.”
That includes hatching and eating eggs. In fact, customers are willing to make the long drive to Keystone Heights, coming from places like Ocala and Yulee, to buy straight from the source.
Matthew Moody said life on the homestead brings plenty of surprises.
“To have a goat in the house is always entertaining,” he said. “Jumping up on everything… never a dull moment amongst traditional domestic animals with cats and dogs.”
Matthew commends Chelsa for taking the reins in the operation and flourishing in a business –- and passion –- she loves doing every single day.
“I just try my best to enable a loving partnership, to kindle that flame that she carries,” he said.
Chelsa says if anybody is interested in purchasing from Very Moody Farm, there is contact information on their Facebook page.