Intention in Every Acre: The Flourish and Roam Journey of Sustainable Living

There’s something significant happening in the rolling hills of Moscow, Ohio.

If you’re on Flourish and Roam’s online store, it may look like a business. If you follow Flourish and Roam on social media, it may look like parents providing their children experiences on a farm. But what has emerged from Sarah and Josh Ison’s choices goes beyond just making it through the day-to-day. What Sarah and Josh are building is rooted in intention, where every furrowed field and nurtured animal reflects a deliberate choice towards connection, wellness, community, and the environment.

The Genesis of Flourish and Roam

Located about 30 miles southeast of Cincinnati, Flourish and Roam was founded in 2016 when the Isons decided to put their PhDs in Animal Science to use on a 40-acre farm. But their story isn’t just about exchanging lab coats for muddy boots.

While the transition from corporate and academia was inspired by a longing to return to their roots and provide their children with a nurturing environment surrounded by nature and family, Flourish and Roam now provides the Cincinnati area with naturally raised beef, lamb, pork, and chicken. 

Sustainable Growth and Community Engagement

Balancing the demands of raising a young family with the intricacies of farm life, the Isons have carefully considered Flourish and Roam’s growth, ensuring that each step forward is sustainable and mindful of their long-term vision. 

In the early days, much like other small-scale operations, they laid the foundation of their business by fostering relationships within the community, primarily through selling their meticulously raised products at local farmers’ markets. This initial strategy allowed them to build a loyal customer base gradually. It enabled them to grow their farm’s offerings in a way that remained true to their core values of sustainability, quality, and ethical farming practices.

Embracing the Digital Age: From Online Store to Farmfront

Today, the Isons have embraced the digital age by introducing online shopping, complemented by a physical storefront situated directly on their farm at 2607 Laurel-Point Isabel Rd, Moscow, Ohio. This dual approach allows them to cater to a broader audience, providing convenience to customers near and far seeking ethically raised, high-quality produce. The online platform brings the farm’s offerings to consumers’ fingertips, while the onsite store offers a tangible connection to the land and the people behind the products.

Regenerative Agriculture: A Core Philosophy

Central to the farm’s identity is its commitment to regenerative agriculture. Sarah and Josh have meticulously developed a system that prioritizes animal welfare, soil health, and ecological balance. 

“We use an intensive rotational grazing system,” Sarah explained, highlighting their efforts to mimic nature’s cycles and enhance the soil’s health through their farming techniques. 

This practice allows pastures to rest and recover, fostering biodiversity and improving soil health. 

“Everything has a 90 to 120-day rest period,” explains Sarah, highlighting their dedication to responsible land management. This benefits the environment and translates to nutrient-rich food for their animals.

Offering More Than Just Food: A Model for Ethical Farming

The farm’s offerings reflect its values: Black Angus cattle, leveraging the genetic legacy left by Sarah’s father, and expanded into raising Berkshire pigs, known for their quality marbling, and later, heritage breeds of sheep and chickens. 

“It’s definitely a higher-end product that we’re raising,” Sarah notes, acknowledging the niche they’ve carved out in the market for conscientious consumers seeking ethically raised, high-quality meat.

Family Values and Future Generations

“It’s all pasture that we rotate our animals on,” Sarah said. “Really, our goal is to increase the nutrient density of the soil and the grass, which in turn translates to our animals and the meat that they produce.”

“It’s not just about being different; it’s about finding solutions that benefit animals, the environment, and ultimately, our community,” she said.

Animal welfare is paramount at Flourish and Roam. Their cattle, sheep, pigs, and chickens roam freely in spacious pastures, enjoying a natural diet and avoiding antibiotics or hormones. 

“We believe they live a good life,” says Sarah, emphasizing their commitment to ethical and humane practices.

Perhaps the best part for Sarah and Josh is that the Ison children—Thea, Deklan, and Gannon— witness it all. 

Since its inception, Flourish and Roam has been deeply rooted in family values. The farm operates on land leased from Josh’s parents, who originally acquired it as a hobby farm in 2001. Even though Josh’s parents might not sit with the family at the dinner table every evening, the meals shared carry the essence of their presence.

Educating and Engaging the Community

Seeing their food farm to table, knowing what their children put into their bodies, is paramount for the Isons. Sarah incorporates vegetables and sauces, preserved by her mother-in-law, into their dinners, with the meat raised on the farm, ensuring the family’s connection to the land and each other is nurtured with every meal.

Through activities like feeding pumpkins to the pigs and engaging with the farm’s daily operations, the Ison children are learning far more than just farm management—they’re becoming the next generation of mindful, eco-conscious citizens. The hands-on experiences they gain, from understanding the cycle of life to the intricacies of sustainable farming, give them a firsthand account of hard work, respect for nature, and the happiness found in caring for animals, shaping them into responsible stewards of the planet.

Behind the scenes, Sarah and Josh’s partnership combines science, hard work, and shared values. Their background in animal science informs their practices, ensuring they meet the highest animal welfare and product quality standards. This blend of expertise and passion sets Flourish and Roam apart, making it more than a farm—it’s a model for sustainable, community-focused agriculture.

Sarah and Josh are vocal advocates for sustainable farming practices, educating their customers through farm tours and social media engagement. 

Their online store serves as the central hub, offering a diverse selection of beef, pork, chicken, and lamb, all raised with meticulous care for animal welfare and environmental sustainability.Their Facebook and Instagram pages are more than just a marketing tool; it’s a window into their farm life. Stories, photos, and even virtual tours immerse customers in the journey of their food, fostering trust and transparency.

But the connection doesn’t stop there. Flourish and Roam’s subscription box, aptly named the “Range Box,” takes community engagement to a whole new level. Each month, subscribers receive a curated selection of their farm’s finest cuts, delivered directly to their doorstep. It’s like having a personal rancher, ensuring access to fresh, high-quality meat while nurturing a deeper connection with the source.

Flourish and Roam: Building a Sustainable Future Together

“It’s a lot of work,” Sarah admits, “but it’s incredibly rewarding to know we’re raising healthy animals, nourishing our community, and hopefully inspiring others to think about where their food comes from.”

This community-driven approach isn’t just good for business; it’s the heart and soul of Flourish and Roam. 

“We’re building relationships, educating our community, and creating a more sustainable food system… together.”