Jennifer Garner is beloved by fans not only for her acting talent but also for her relatable and down-to-earth persona. Her Instagram is filled with genuine moments of motherhood and personal reflections, making her even more approachable to her followers.
One important piece of Jennifer’s family history is her mother, Patricia English Garner. Patricia grew up with fond memories of her childhood on a farm in Locust Grove, Oklahoma. Her parents purchased the land in 1936, using a bonus her father received after serving in World War I.
At the time, the family had only $700 to their name. Patricia remembers that her parents didn’t own a car, so they had to hire someone to take them to the property. The farm, which came with 20 acres of land (minus 1 acre where a Native American cemetery was located), had a modest two-room house.
“My parents didn’t even have a car, so when they heard about the land for sale, they hired someone to take them there. The farm had a small two-room house, and 20 acres, except for one acre which was a Native American cemetery,” Patricia recalls.
Her mother also often spoke about how her father spent a long day negotiating over a $20 price difference, until they finally agreed on the price and sealed the deal. That land has remained in their family ever since.
As the years passed, the farm changed hands among various family members, as it was bought and sold repeatedly. But in 2017, Jennifer decided to take a bold step to secure the family legacy and purchased the farm herself.
But she didn’t just want to keep the farm as a nostalgic piece of history. Jennifer had a vision to revive it as a successful business. She hired her uncle, Robert, and aunt, Janet, who had previously owned the farm, to help her bring her dream to life.
The farm had been dormant for nearly 40 years, with no crops grown during that time. But Jennifer’s mother and her siblings had once been passionate farmers, selling pecans and growing vegetables like lettuce, radishes, and potatoes.
Jennifer’s goal was to return the farm to its roots. In 2018, she co-founded Once Upon a Farm with Ari Raz, John Foraker, and Cassandra Curtis. The company aimed to create organic baby food made from locally sourced fruits and vegetables.
Jennifer shared her passion for the project, saying, “Once upon a time… we dreamed of bringing baby food back to its roots with organic fruits and veggies harvested from local farmers, blended with love, and served fresh from the fridge. We dreamed of relieving mealtime stress for parents by providing nutritious foods that offer babies everything they need – and more.”
Her mission was clear: give busy parents access to healthy, nutritious food for their children.
Since its launch, Once Upon a Farm has seen tremendous success. The company’s products are now available in major retailers across the U.S. and can also be purchased online through the company’s website.
Jennifer’s decision to save her family’s farm and turn it into a thriving business is a beautiful tribute to her roots and her commitment to giving back to her community.
