By Karina Van Brabant
Where It All Began
For some, rural life is a dream. For me, it has always been home.
Rural life isn’t just something I admire. It’s where I come from. I grew up on an acreage with horses, surrounded by fields, quiet mornings, and sunsets over open pasture. Land and life were intertwined. We didn’t just live on the land, we lived with it.
A Childhood Shaped by Agriculture
My grandparents farmed, so agriculture was more than a story I heard, it was the world I knew. It taught me that land feeds families, holds history, and carries the work of generations. It taught me responsibility, resilience, and respect for the animals and soil that make our lifestyle possible.
Growing up this way shaped everything about me. I’ve always loved the idea of raising your own food, knowing where your meat comes from, and living in a way that supports both the land and the people who rely on it.
Education That Deepened the Connection
That connection naturally led me to study Animal Science Technology. I learned about pasture management, livestock health, soil composition, and how different grasses support long-term grazing. I learned why rotational grazing matters and how healthy soil produces healthy animals. That knowledge became the foundation for how I look at rural property today.
Why Rural Real Estate Felt Like Coming Home
So when I decided to get my rural real estate license, it didn’t feel like a new path. It felt like going back to who I’ve always been. When I stand on a piece of land with a client, I don’t just see acreage size or property lines. I notice the soil beneath our boots, the grazing potential, the water sources, where the wind settles, and what that land could grow or support ten, twenty, fifty years from now. A property to me is more than a purchase. It’s a future.
The Future of Farmland Matters
And the future of farmland matters deeply.
Development is slowly stretching outward. Good farmland is not something we get back once it’s gone. As it becomes more scarce, it becomes more valuable both financially and as part of our food supply and our connection to nature. Land holds history, but it also holds potential, and we need people who understand both.
Helping People Find the Land That Fits Their Life
My goal in rural real estate is to help people find land that fits their life. Maybe that means pastures for horses. Maybe it’s space for cattle, gardens, crops, or simply a quiet place to breathe. Whatever someone’s dream looks like, I want to guide them using experience, education, and genuine love for the rural way of living.
Home Will Always Be Rural
Because for me, this isn’t just a career.
It’s where I come from.
It’s what I know.
It’s home.
And now, I want to help others find a piece of that home for themselves.
