Meet John & Teail Baum | Owners of Stars and Sage Farm

We had the good fortune of connecting with John & Teail Baum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John & Teail, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I started my business, it was a natural evolution of my life’s journey. I ran a licensed child care program for 25 years and worked as a preschool teacher in a Montessori-based program. When I started having children of my own, I wanted to be present for them instead of sending them to daycare while I taught. Running my own child care business allowed me to do that, and it worked well for many years.

As my youngest became a teenager, I began reevaluating my path. In 2022, I started advocating for cannabis and, at the same time, my husband and I were making major life decisions about how we wanted to live and work. We knew we wanted to slow down and embrace a simpler, more intentional lifestyle. After much research, we considered living in a camper, on a boat, or in a tiny home. Ultimately, we chose a tiny home so we could remain close to family while our children grew up.

That decision set everything in motion. We moved off-grid and started keeping bees, chickens, ducks, and goats. We also expanded our Airbnb offerings and began building a business that aligned with our lifestyle. I created a website, a blog, and a social media presence to bring it all together. There were no guarantees it would work, but we were committed to making it happen.

John designed our cabin, working alongside the Amish to build it, and it became our home. Now, we sell our handmade products online and at markets, living a life that blends sustainability, entrepreneurship, and self-sufficiency. It has been an incredible journey, proving that nontraditional paths can lead to deeply fulfilling success.

What should our readers know about your business?
Our business is more than just a way to make a living—it’s a reflection of the life we’ve chosen to build. We live off-grid in an Amish-built cabin, tending to bees, chickens, ducks, goats, and gardens while creating products that align with our values of simplicity, sustainability, and wellness. Everything we offer, from our skincare and pet care products to our mushroom coffee and beekeeping services, is rooted in our belief that nature provides everything we need. What sets us apart is that we don’t just sell products—we live the lifestyle we promote.

Getting to where we are today wasn’t easy. We took a leap of faith, leaving behind the security of traditional jobs to create a life that felt more meaningful to us. There were no guarantees, just a deep trust in ourselves and the understanding that success isn’t always about financial gain—it’s about building something real, something lasting. There were challenges, from learning to live with less to navigating the unpredictability of running a business that depends on nature. But we overcame them through persistence, creativity, and a willingness to adapt.

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that success doesn’t come from following a formula—it comes from staying true to your values and being willing to grow and evolve. We’ve built this business through authenticity, sharing our journey openly with our community and customers. We want the world to know that it’s possible to step away from the conventional path and build a life that feels right, even if it looks different from what society expects. Our brand is about more than just products—it’s about embracing nature, self-sufficiency, and the belief that a simpler, more intentional life is not only possible but deeply rewarding.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If our best friends were visiting for a week, we’d want to give them the full experience of our off-grid lifestyle while also exploring the best of the surrounding area. It would be a mix of nature, great food, local markets, and unique experiences. Here’s how I’d plan the trip:

Day 1: Settling In & Off-Grid Living

• Pick them up and bring them to our Amish-built cabin for a true off-grid experience.
• Give them a tour of the farm—introducing them to the bees, chickens, ducks, goats, and gardens.
• Sunset by the water with a homemade farm fresh meal featuring fresh ingredients from our farm, paired with a warm mug of our mushroom coffee or a glass of local wine.
• End the night stargazing by the firepit, completely unplugged from the outside world.

Day 2: Local Farmers’ Markets & Small-Town Charm

• Breakfast with fresh eggs and honey from our farm.
• Head to a local farmers’ market to meet vendors, grab homemade baked goods, and pick up handcrafted items.
• Visit a nearby Amish farm to see handcrafted furniture and learn about their way of life.
• Stop for lunch at a local cafe that serves clean ingredients.
• Spend the evening by the water, unwinding with homemade herbal tea.

Day 3: Outdoor Adventure & Foraging

• Pack up and head out for a hiking and foraging adventure, collecting wild edibles like mushrooms and herbs.
• Picnic lunch with fresh local cheeses, bread, and honey.
• Afternoon kayaking or paddleboarding on the water.
• Return home for a farm-fresh dinner and a lesson on making homemade herbal remedies or skincare products.

Day 4: Beekeeping & Hands-On Homesteading

• Spend the morning doing a hands-on beekeeping experience, suiting up and learning about hive care.
• Honey tasting straight from the comb.
• Farm chores and a lesson on sustainable living—gardening, composting, or soap-making.
• Slow-cooked meal over an open fire, followed by storytelling and reflection on living simply.

Day 5: Local Breweries, Wineries & Artisan Shops

• Breakfast at a small-town café known for homemade pastries and strong coffee.
• Visit a local restaurant for dinner and live music.
• Explore antique shops, artisan boutiques, or a quirky roadside attraction.
• Sunset dinner at a lakefront or countryside restaurant with fresh seafood or farm-raised meats.

Day 6: Day Trip to a Nearby City or Historic Town

• Road trip to a historic town or scenic city nearby.
• Walk through local museums, historic sites, or art galleries.
• Try the best local street food or a well-loved family-owned restaurant.
• Evening cocktails or dessert at a rooftop bar with a great view.

Day 7: Relaxation & Reflection

• A slow morning with coffee, journaling, or meditating by the water.
• A farm-fresh brunch before heading out.
• One last stop at a local bakery or gift shop for some take-home treats.

The goal of the trip would be to fully immerse them in a mix of off-grid living, local culture, and nature while enjoying great food, great company, and a slower pace of life.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We owe our success to a combination of factors. First and foremost, our own hard work, adaptability, and willingness to take risks made it all possible. As a team, John and I supported each other through every challenge, combining his skills in design and building with my entrepreneurial drive to bring our vision to life. Our children played a major role as well—they were the reason I first transitioned into self-employment, and their growth allowed us to pivot into this new phase of life. Our success is also deeply tied to the community, from local market customers to our online supporters, who believe in our products and way of life. The Amish builders who constructed our off-grid home played a key role in turning our dream into reality, and of course, the land and our animals have been central to both our lifestyle and business, providing inspiration and the raw materials for many of our products. Ultimately, our journey has been shaped by determination, teamwork, and the invaluable support of both people and nature.

Website: https://Starsandsagefarm.com

Instagram: @teail

Facebook: Stars and Sage Farm

Image Credits
These are all our own photos