Erin and Scott VanGrinsven

Erin and Scott VanGrinsven are the sixth generation raising their family on the McWilliams Heritage Homestead. Alongside their eight children they are living the simple life on 60 rolling acres in the picturesque Sauk county.

In 2017 Erin and Scott moved their family all the way across the country from the bustling city scene of Fort Myers, Florida to the quiet countryside of LaValle, Wisconsin. With limited prior farming experience they jumped in headfirst and bought a family milk cow. Learning on the fly they’ve carved out a romantic little homestead bustling with life.

Miss Royal the Jersey milk cow was just the beginning. Today the family can be seen caring for their Angus beef cows, Jersey cows, Idaho pasture pigs, multiple varieties of chickens, Coturnix quails, Toulouse geese, Pearled guinea hens, Blue Slate turkeys, Baby Doll sheep, farm cats and every growing herd of free range children. The kitchen garden, henhouse and greenhouse are some of the most productive areas on the farm.

The homestead kitchen is the heart of the homestead. On any given day the family will be grinding wheat, canning, dehydrating, cream separating, making butter or ice cream, making jerky or homemade sausage, processing the day’s harvest or just playing board games.

Come join them for either AM or PM chores where you can actively participate. Gather the eggs, water the pigs, move the sheep… get a feel for what it’s like to grow your own groceries. Get your hands dirty and your questions answered. Erin and Scott invite you to come out and meet the family and the animals during one of their tours.

Erin maintains a YouTube channel to allow others to virtually follow their homesteading journey. Please find them, like and subscribe.

$5 Per family is the suggested donation to help Erin and Scott cover the cost of participation.