About Us
José and I met while we were both working on the Las Vegas Strip. I was working the early shift at a coffee shop, and José, who was working nights, suddenly started drinking a lot of coffee! Despite speaking different languages and coming from very different backgrounds we managed to plan a first date. We spent 4 hours exploring the Las Vegas strip and the rest as they say…is history. We immediately connected over our shared passions for simple living, photography, travel, food and laughter.
After much traveling around the United States and exploring Las Vegas where we met, José and I made the decision to move to Hawaii and start a small farm. At the beginning of 2020 we sold our home in Las Vegas and made the move to the island of Maui. We got jobs at an organic greenhouse where we learned a lot about farming and dreamed about our own farm where we would eventually grow vanilla and mangoes. The universe had different plans and the covid pandemic made us realize we wanted to be closer to family. Six months after settling in Hawaii we made another move to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We immediately put in an offer on a property, closed two weeks later, and we have never looked back.
Our farm is our life. We love waking up everyday and living in rhythm with nature. You can see our adventures and the farm on our Yooper Country Farms YouTube channel. We hope you will check it out.
McKenzie was born in the upper peninsula of Michigan, but grew up in Colorado. She has a passion for simple living and healthy eating. It is this passion that led her to start her first urban farm in downtown Colorado Springs in 2012. As is often the case life happened and circumstances changed leading to her fateful move to Las Vegas where she eventually met José.
​
McKenzie has always been called to a simpler life and owning a small farm has given her the opportunity to realize her dream. She wants the farm to feed the people around her not only through food, but also through the building of community and the sanctuary it provides. She loves that the farm gives her and José the opportunity to work side by side towards a common vision!
José was born on a small farm in El Salvador where his family raised an assortment of livestock and grew a variety of fruits and vegetables. In 2016, after graduating from school, he made the decision to move to the United States. He chose to settle in Las Vegas close to family and friends, and eventually landed a position working on Las Vegas strip. Las Vegas opened Jose to a whole new world where he developed a passion for travel, photography, and food. Starting a small farm has given José the opportunity to reconnect with his roots. He is most at home working in the garden while the chickens are happily clucking in the background.
From José: Apasionado por las aventuras. Ningun lugar es aburrido si en ti esta el espiritu de la aventura. Aficionado a la fotografia y video. Quiero compartir con ustedes mis pequenas aventuras que he vivido juntos a mi esposo quien es la responsable de darme el impulso y la seguridad para alzar el vuelo. Les invito a buscar en su interior el espiritu de la aventura que todos poseemos y a divertimos de la forma que seamos felices.
