The Farmers

Jennie and Erik didn’t exactly set out to build a food truck and farm-based business—but looking back, it kind of makes perfect sense. Jennie grew up on a hobby farm, helping with Hereford cattle and playing Little House on the Prairie with her three younger sisters. Erik grew up just down the road, starting his career in landscaping before a “small” hobby farm (and a growing family) pulled him in for good.

That hobby didn’t stay small for long. With a lot of grit, some equipment, and a shared vision, they built Goodness Grows Farm into a thriving local operation—eventually supplying Pittsburgh-area restaurants with farm-raised products.

These days, you’re just as likely to find them at their food truck as you are on the farm. Jennie is the creative force behind the scenes—developing recipes, building menus, creating meal kits, and running all the marketing and media. Erik is up front and center—flipping burgers, smoking meats, and making sure every customer feels like a regular.

Together, they’re passionate about one simple idea: serving real food, raised close to home. From their farm to your plate, everything they do is rooted in supporting local agriculture and feeding their community well.

Walker (22) is the oldest Schwalm kid and the one you’ll usually find in the pasture. As the farm’s cattle herdsman, he breeds and shows registered Shorthorns and recently celebrated his first consignment at the Great Shorthorn Revival. By day, he works at Armstrong Farms managing 250 head of Angus and helping fine-tune their Shorthorn breeding program. By night (and weekends… and most spare time), he’s back home helping his siblings pick out show stock and turning their 4H projects into winners.

Maggie (20) runs on horses, hustle, and a whole lot of patience. After trading a herd of dairy goats for her Palomino Quarter Horse, Fortune, she’s spent years training for Western Pleasure and Reining—and now flips horses for resale like a pro. By day, she’s a nanny (so yes, she’s basically raising kids), but by night and weekends, she’s our right-hand cowgirl at the food truck. Thanks to her years at a local ice cream shop, she knows how to keep lines moving, customers happy, and chaos under control.

Will:  (18) Will (18) graduates this June and is headed to Penn College of Technology to study Diesel Technology—because apparently tearing engines apart wasn’t enough of a hobby. He’s already a certified PA vehicle inspector, is working toward his CDL, and is the farm’s full-time mechanic (whether he officially signed up for it or not). You’ll usually find him under a hood, covered in grease—and not the kind that comes off the grill. He’s also been making his mark in the goat breeding program, bringing home a few banners along the way. We’re going to miss having our middle child around around… or at least we’ll try to remember.

Whitaker -16- has a need for speed—and not just on the soccer field. You’ll find him zipping around the farm (occasionally pushing the limits), playing for his high school team, or running year-round with Steel City FC. In his spare time, he’s building a truck piece by piece with his brother, because apparently one project at a time isn’t enough. Whit is also responsible for bringing the energy—and a steady stream of friends—who come to hunt, hang, and snack their way through anything not under lock and key.

Hattie (11), aka #HurricaneHattie, is equal parts farm kid and future CEO. She serves as the farm’s official cheese tester (a job she takes very seriously), spends her days riding Fortune and competing in 4H Western classes, and keeps busy showing goats. When she’s not in boots, she’s into all the important preteen things—like skincare. She’s also running her own side hustle, Hattie’s Hatchery, hatching quail and chickens with plans for guinea—and yes, there’s already a waiting list.