Making It Our Own
Their journey to parenthood was marked by struggles with infertility until finally, Christina became pregnant during a year when she stayed home to assist on the farm.
Now, with their three-month-old son Asa, they juggle farm duties and Christina's job. Though Christina longs to work full-time on the farm, she returned to work after Asa's birth to secure benefits for their family. During the day, Tyler takes on the role of stay-at-home dad, allowing them to begin farm work together in the evenings with Asa in tow.
Their farm raises a diverse range of livestock, including chickens, beef cattle, turkeys, and pigs. Additionally, they cultivate a variety of produce, from pumpkins to sunflowers, and even their own garden.
Every Saturday, they showcase their goods at the Scottsville Road Farmers Market, connecting with local customers and distributors.
Their ultimate goal is to transition both of them to full-time farming. Together, they aspire to build something uniquely theirs, a legacy they can pass down to Asa and future generations.
Tyler and Christina White trade off their son, Asa in the evening as Christina returns from work in Bowling Green, Ky. on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Most days the two hardly get to see each other since Tyler begins chores on their farm as soon Christina gets home. “We chose this life and would not trade it,” said Christina.
Christina takes care of her son, Asa while filling the water bowl for the pigs and completing other chores on the farm on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Christina works as an x-ray tech at Western Kentucky Orthopedic & Neurosurgical Associates.
Tyler moves chickens to their outdoor enclosure at the White Family Farm on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Due to bad weather and trying to manage a busy schedule with the baby, the chickens were brought outside a couple weeks late.
Tyler (left) and Christina (right) have matching tattoos in place of their wedding bands. The tattoo is a Viking rune, a symbol that represents the bond they have that no one can break. The couple got married in 2017 and the two have been inseparable ever since.
Tyler (right) and family friend, Ronnie Lee (left) attempt to catch one of their pigs for castration at the White Family Farm on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Most of Tyler’s family lives nearby in Richardsville and are always willing to help one another with various tasks on their farms. They castrated the pigs weeks later than usual due to their busyness with Asa.
White Family Farms sells packaged meat at the Bowling Green’s Original Farmers Market on Scottsville Road in Bowling Green, Ky. on Saturday, April 13, 2024. The White Family raises their own livestock to later be slaughtered and packaged.
Christina pours the pig’s feed into their enclosure at the White Family Farm on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Tyler's family owned expansive farmland, whereas Christina's upbringing revolved around a 35-acre property. After marrying Tyler, Christina immersed herself in the aspects of agriculture, including crop farming and raising livestock. “I have always loved agriculture,” said Christina, “so as soon as he asked if I wanted to drive the tractor I was like I’m on it.”
Tyler, Christina, and Asa leave their house early in the morning to visit Clarksville on Sunday, April 28, 2024. Despite living nearby and their hectic schedule, Christina and Tyler rarely request their family's assistance in looking after Asa. After enduring years of infertility struggles and undergoing numerous treatments, Christina and Tyler deeply understand the significance and responsibility they hold for their own child, as they intentionally cherish their time together no matter what they are doing.
Christina puts Asa in his car seat in the truck for their family trip to Clarksville to bring back machinery on Sunday, April 28, 2024.
Tyler and Christina try to get Asa to fall asleep at the Bowling Green's Originals Farmers Market on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Every Saturday morning, they spend time at the Farmer's Market, yet despite being there every week, they often earn little money for their amount of time there. Their goal is to sell to local distributors, freeing them from the need to spend every Saturday morning at the market and allowing more time with their family.
Christina rides in the back of the truck to their house from the barn while Asa rode in the cab with Tyler on Thursday, April 25, 2024. They plan to teach their son all they can about farming in hopes that he might grow an appreciation for it. “We can hope that he loves this way of life as much as us,” said Christina, “but if not we want him to find his niche in life that makes him happy.”
