About Us
Meet the people behind The Hidden Gem Homestead
Welcome to The Hidden Gem Homestead
We are Walter and Ivy, and we are living the dream of building a life closely connected to the land. Our story is one of love, passion, and a shared desire to live sustainably, creatively, and with a deep respect for nature.
Our homestead sits in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, a place of natural beauty and endless inspiration.
The land we call home
RICH HISTORY –
Ivy’s grandparents moved here in 1974, bringing the homestead to life as a pear orchard before we decided to return it to its roots and make it a thriving homestead once more. With each new project, from reviving the original 1890 house to expanding our gardens, we’re working to honor the past while building a future for our family and community.
Together, we’ve poured our hearts into this land. Our journey started with a simple dream: to grow our own food, care for animals, and make things by hand that would bring joy and meaning to our lives and others. Along the way, we’ve learned the value of patience, hard work, and the satisfaction of seeing a seed sprout into something beautiful.
We’ve raised bunnies, ducks, and pigeons, cultivated heirloom vegetables, and harvested chestnuts, all while exploring the surrounding landscapes and uncovering hidden treasures from crystals to unique wood varieties. Every day here is a new adventure, and we’re constantly amazed by what the land has to offer.
Our dream for the homestead is big, and we’re just getting started. From adding more animals and expanding our garden to creating a commercial kitchen for baked goods made from our harvests, we have many exciting plans for the future. We want our homestead to be a space not only for our family to thrive but also for our community to gather, learn, and grow alongside us.
We dream of hosting workshops, events, and tours, where we can share what we’ve learned about sustainable living, creativity, and the joy of building a life in harmony with nature.
One of our greatest passions is sharing our journey with others. Whether it’s through the products we create—like handmade cutting boards, healing salves, or fresh produce—or through the stories we tell about our adventures rock-hounding or traveling across Washington and Oregon, we want to inspire others to live a life that’s connected to the earth.
We believe that everyone has the power to create something beautiful, and we hope that by following along with us, you’ll be inspired to start your own journey, whether it’s on a homestead, in your garden, or simply in your heart.
Our story isn’t just about the land—it’s about the connection we’ve found with each other and with the earth. Walter and I met through our shared love of nature and adventure, and that bond has only grown stronger as we’ve worked together to build this homestead. From our first conversations about our dreams for the future to the countless hours spent planting, building, and creating, we’ve become not just partners in life, but partners in this amazing journey we’re on.
Our story is still being written, and we’re excited for what’s to come.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. We’re so grateful for your support, whether it’s through following our story, purchasing our creations, or simply sending us your positive energy.
We’re honored to share our homestead with you and can’t wait to see what the future holds. Welcome to The Hidden Gem Homestead—where every day is a new adventure, and every dream is a step closer to reality.
Join Our Adventure
See what it takes to be a Homesteader at The Hidden Gem Homestead