Welcome to Mt Everett Farm - A New Beginning
Today, April 2, 2025 on World Autism Day, we officially launch Mt. Everett Farm.
Why?
My son, Everett Brewster, is 18 years old and has autism. He will graduate from high school in May 2026. From the moment I walked him into kindergarten, I knew that one day his time in school would come to an end. But I always struggled with what would come next—not just for him, but for our family.
Like so many young adults with special needs, Everett has incredible potential but also requires a lot of support. Living in a rural area makes the transition into adulthood even more challenging, as there are very few options available for individuals and families navigating this phase. Purpose is essential for all of us, and adults with special needs are no different.
What?
When Clay and I met, he lived just a mile from where we are now. He had a small tractor, a big garden, and a dream of starting a Christmas tree farm in this community. After we married, we purchased 40 acres of pine-covered land just down the road. We clear-cut the trees, built our home, and slowly began turning this property into a working farm.
Our first Christmas trees were planted in early 2020. Then, in the summer of 2018, I stumbled upon small-scale cut flower farming—and I haven’t looked back since. Over the past seven years, I’ve researched, learned, and practiced, unsure if this was the right path for me. I knew it would be physically demanding, but the deeper I dove into it, the more I realized: this is what I’m meant to do.
Right now, we’re focusing on one flower—peonies. By the end of this year, we’ll have just under 5,000 peony roots representing 20 different varieties planted on the farm (1,700 of those went in last fall). The story of how we ended up with so many, so quickly, is one I’ll share another day. But from what I’ve been able to find, Mt. Everett Farm is the largest grower of peonies in Mississippi—possibly within 200 miles.
We will expand to other flowers and offerings over time, but our immediate goal is to complete this major project. Looking ahead, we hope to start hosting on-farm experiences for the public by late 2026.
Who?
As this dream evolved, I realized I wasn’t the only one with this vision.
Ciji Marlin is one of Everett’s teachers. For decades, she has dedicated her career to serving special needs children in Tishomingo County. She has an incredible gift for connecting with her students, treating them as her own. But she has also seen firsthand how many of these kids—who thrive in a supportive school environment—struggle to find their place and purpose beyond the classroom.
My biggest challenge in making this dream a reality was finding the right person to help build the vocational program. I knew Everett would be more engaged if it wasn’t just him and me—he would need peers, and I would need support. From the moment Ciji and I sat down to talk about it, I knew we had something special. She will retire from the school system next spring, and together, we will begin building the farm’s vocational program from the ground up.
I also can’t finish this post without crediting Clay—my husband and quite literally a dream-maker. He never hesitates, never complains, and supports every crazy idea I throw at him. His knowledge, skills, and unwavering belief in this dream have made all of this possible.
And finally, the last "Who?" is you—our community.
We are working hard to create a place where everyone is welcome, where people can connect with nature, and where meaningful opportunities exist for those who need them most. We need your support to bring this vision to life. So please, follow along, engage with us, and be part of this journey.
