Meet Rachel Braden | Gourmet Mushroom Farmer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Braden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Before starting our business, my husband and I were in a transitional phase of life. As Navy veterans and new parents, we were navigating the challenges of raising a family while also thinking about our future careers. My husband rejoined the military through the Army National Guard to help provide stability, especially with health insurance, and I began using my GI Bill to get into dental assisting.

While I appreciated the opportunity, I quickly realized the field didn’t fulfill me the way I hoped it would. I knew I wanted to be home more, work more independently, and pursue something that felt meaningful and aligned with my values. I’ve always had a passion for agriculture and working with my hands, but traditional field crops didn’t feel like the right fit.

So, we started researching niche areas of farming and exploring what was both viable and personally rewarding. That’s when we discovered mushroom cultivation. In 2016 and 2017, very few people in our area were growing mushrooms commercially, so we saw both a need and an opportunity. It allowed us to combine our interests in sustainable agriculture with a flexible, scalable business model that could grow with our family. Once we made that decision, we went full force into it… learning, building, and cultivating from the ground up.

What should our readers know about your business?
Our business started humbly, with just $5,000 and the generosity of mentors, both hobby and commercial growers, who were willing to share their knowledge with us. It was chaotic, challenging, and far from easy. Shortly after we launched, Dalton deployed, and I was suddenly navigating the overwhelming reality of being a new mom and a brand-new business owner. All while carrying the emotional weight of his absence.

In those early days, there was hustle at every single corner. I had no background in running a business. I was learning how to grow mushrooms, market a product, manage records, track expenses, fulfill orders, and engage with customers… all from scratch and often with a baby on my hip. I missed many opportunities, simply because I wasn’t yet prepared or equipped for them. But I never let that stop me. I stayed steadfast, gave myself grace to grow slowly and organically, and leaned into each lesson as it came.

Over the years, our business has evolved through hard-earned experience. What sets us apart is not just our product, but our story, our resilience, our heart, and our mission. We don’t just grow mushrooms, we cultivate community, sustainability, and connection. I’m most proud of the fact that this business has been built with integrity, faith, and a deep sense of purpose. I believe God has had His hand on this journey from the start, and that we’ve been called to use this work to serve more and more within our community.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Success doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a collection of small, faithful steps, showing up day after day, even when things are uncertain, and choosing growth over perfection. That’s what I want people to know about our brand: it’s rooted in grit, grace, and gratitude.

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 my best friend came to visit for a week, I’d make sure they got a real taste of what makes our corner of Northwest Georgia so special, the people, the food, the beauty of the land, and the sense of community that ties it all together.

We’d start local, with dinner at some of our favorite spots like La Scala or Aventine in downtown Rome. Both places offer not only incredible food but a cozy, inviting atmosphere that reflects the character of our area. If we had the chance to make it down to Marietta, I’d absolutely take them to Hamp & Harry’s. The space is beautifully designed, right in the heart of the square, and it’s the perfect place to unwind with great drinks and even better company.

If we had more time to venture into the city, I’d make a trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden a priority. It’s such a peaceful, inspiring space, and even more special now that our mushrooms are featured on their fall menu. There’s something deeply rewarding about sharing that with friends: walking the gardens, then sitting down to taste a dish made with ingredients we grew ourselves.

Throughout the week, I’d try to visit as many of the restaurants that source from us as possible. Supporting them is so important to me. They’ve supported our farm from the early days, and it means a lot to return that support and highlight the beautiful ways local chefs bring small-farm ingredients to life.

Whether we’re walking the land, sipping coffee on the porch, or exploring nearby towns, I think the magic of this area is in its slower pace, its community pride, and the small businesses and people that make it feel like home. I’d want my friend to leave feeling refreshed, connected, and maybe even a little inspired.

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?
Dalton deserves so much credit. He built this farm with his own hands, from the ground up, often sacrificing time, comfort, and stability to keep it going, especially during the early years when we didn’t see a single return. His determination and vision kept us moving forward, even when things were tough. The farm exists today because of his hard work, resilience, and belief in what we were building together.

Website: https://www.bellavitamushrooms.com

Instagram: bellavitamushrooms