Slaters’ Focus is Sustainability in Round Top

In this monthly series, local realtor Andrea Schutter Riebeling does a Q & A with local business leaders about what inspires them. This month’s spotlight is on Julie and Andy Slater of Round Top’s Sugar Magnolia Farm & Design LLC which is planning a grand opening at some point in July.

1.) What is your business?

Open to the public soon, Sugar Magnolia Farm & Design LLC is a place where everyone is welcome. A place where you can come try a slice of Sweden in a Swedish inspired bakery. Shop vintage and antique doors. Clip your own fresh herbs from our culinary and medicinal gardens. Pick fresh fruit, veggies and shop the grocery store, where you will find anything from our handcrafted pure vanilla extract, to our organic bath and body line. Learn rain catch water systems, and shop the greenhouse. Visit with the animals, and feed the baby goats. Our passion is in healthy living and sustainability. We offer and consulting for rain harvest, aquaponics, and garden.

We build garden beds and custom chicken coops and green houses.

2.) How did you decide to make Round Top/Fayette County your home?

After looking at so many properties we knew this was where the Lord wanted us after seeing this property for the first time.

3.) How did you get started?

Andy and I both had been in the design and building industry for years, yet always having a passion in our hearts, to “Go Back To Basics” with sustainability and homesteading practices that this nation was built upon.

4.) How long have you been in business?

Sugar Magnolia Farm & Design LLC was formed in 2020, and just absolutely “Exploded” in a good way. This was the busiest and most successful year of our entire career.

5.) What kind of service do you provide?

We offer so much, it’s hard to sum it up in a tiny paragraph, while there’s still much more to come. First and foremost we are here for our community. Whether you have money or not, we will not deny those in need. Currently the sale and refinishing of vintage and antique doors from all over Europe, Swedish baked goods, farm to table items you will find in the grocery store, organic bath and body line, fresh culinary and medicinal herbs. Also to come, near the future fruit tree orchard, overnight stays in our unique cottages and self sustainability and homesteading workshops.

6.) What is your background?

Building/Design, and Ministry.

7.) What do you suggest to others who want to venture out and take a leap of action in the future of their career?

Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the kingdom of God and all else will follow” We were all created and designed by God with a gifting and a purpose. When we seek the Lord’s will and purpose for our life, he will open doors and lead us down the path for our life. It usually begins with a passion for something in our hearts. We didn’t just come up with these passions on our own. They were put in us by God when he created us. The Lord’s plans for our life are good and to prosper. Never to harm us. Andy and I can say with no doubt, that If a virus like COVID and a freeze can happen the same year and the Lord tells us to shift gears and it be the best year of our career. We must say is evident to us “Gods plans for our life are good and to prosper” we must seek and listen, then move forward. He will open the doors we are to go through and close the others. It will happen pretty smoothly, not having to force anything. You will feel fulfilled and complete – feeling like you haven’t worked a day in your life. This is how you know you’re on the right path.

8.) Do you believe in college, trade school, or any training?

Sure, of course as long as it lines up with the passion you have.