Woman Goes From California to the Farm Life of Fayette County

Positively Inspirational

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 Jennifer Johnson and Shad Eckert of E&J Farm, locally born and raised high quality beef, eggs & ASDR registered Australia shepherds in Round Top. Jennifer answers these questions:

How did you get started?

That’s a good question. Well, the answer is when God gives you lemons make lemonade, right? Well in this case my husband already runs his business “Lone Star Bridges” from our property which we now live on full time. He builds custom fabricated bridges for private property owners, turnkey bridge installations: fabrication, concrete abutments, sand blast, paint, delivery, install, you name it, he can do it. And boy can he back a trailer up. There is a bridge 50’ up in the air on your way to Bastrop at Plum with a white car on it, that is what he does.” I tell everyone Shad builds bridges to your future. Really, he does but that is another article for another day. So, us being here at the property full time, it opened the door to think about how much better we could utilize this property in diverse ways. Well, that is where my love for animals and the dream of being as self-sufficient and living off the land as much as possible comes in. Now we are here, and it has turned into a new farm to table business.

How long have you been in business?

I’m really just getting started. There is a lot of work that must be put into this kind of thing. It is not just that simple oh I got a cow, buy it. You must go through the correct channels, do the correct paperwork, market yourself, and your product properly, set up specific Websites, domains, licenses etc. My husband and I work as a team on everything, but he says, “the animals are my thing” and just supports me how ever he can. Which he has been the most supportive partner I could ask for with any of my adventures & dreams.

What kind of service do you provide?

We are now Serving Farm to table beef right to your door shipping available all over the us We offer American wagyu cross F1, F2 & F3 cattle. Which means when you cross a 100 percent Wagyu steer “daddy” with a 100 percent Angus “momma” you get the best of both worlds. The result is a pleasant balance of tenderness, texture, and flavor.

What is your background?

Well, I grew up in a small town in Northern California till my early 20s then ran for the hills and never looked back. Well, you can say it is in my genes. I come from a whole family of antique dealers. My father ran a flea market in California that we attended every weekend to help and learn the ropes, so it no surprise that we all decided to do that for a living. “Give a man a fish he’ll eat for a day, teach a man how to fish he will eat for a lifetime.” I am incredibly grateful for my mom and dad for many reasons but one of them is they taught us kids to be producers not consumers. To be animal lovers, and that our word is our bond and to always stay true to ourselves no matter what. My four brothers taught me to be tough and work as a team even if we are all different in so many ways. We are like-minded about the right stuff and agree to disagree about the rest. I have traveled the country doing antique shows my whole life here and there and living the Gypsy style life. Since 2020 my antique shows have plummeted and are not what they use to be, but what is? There is more than one way to skin a cat. Words of wisdom from my fellow cat’s aka “friends, antique dealers, and family.

Believe in yourself and know your worth. Do not set your bar too low. You get back what you give. Do not be afraid to try different things out, if one thing does not work try something else. Sometimes psychologically our bodies are confused and think we are in fear of something when in all reality we are excited. Think about that. Take that leap, The skies are the limit on the opportunities that are out there, if you give it a chance and put in the work.

How did you decide to make Round Top your home?

I can thank the Warrenton/ Round Top antique festival that I still do twice a year at the third bridge at Bar W field. Long story short after a long day of selling ice to Eskimos (aka) antiques and collectibles. I decided to go over to Zapp Hall to listen to my favorite band Black Cat Choir. As usual it was full of people all wanting the same thing. To unwind, let our hair down and just enjoy some good music. Well to my surprise I meet This charming, down to earth Texan who is now my husband. Ten years later this fall, he is still the best thing I have ever found at a flea market. Love you Shad Eckert!

What makes you laugh?

Me, myself and I. Did you know brushing your cows and having a cold beer with them in the evening produces a better steak lol “ that’s my story and I’m sticking to it” no really sometimes the stuff I think about is hilarious only to me I crack myself up and only myself all the time, ask my friends and family.

You can contact Jennifer

at: Ejfarm@gmail.com