Farm Builds Community Through Regeneration and Connection
Horton Bay Heritage Farm continues a journey of regeneration, community connection and land stewardship in Petoskey. Founded by Kathleen and Jack Nestell, the farm marks a return to Northern Michigan after two decades of experience in sustainable living, including previous work at Origins Hobby Farm, in Southwest Michigan.
Nestled along Horton Bay Road, the farm focuses on regenerative agriculture practices that enrich the soil and nourish the surrounding community. Drawing from years spent farming, parenting and living in diverse climates—from coastal Southern California to the Dallas-Fort Worth region—the Nestells bring a layered perspective to their renewed farming efforts.
Horton Bay Heritage Farm offers a model for thoughtful land care rooted in local identity. The farm’s name reflects both its historic connection to the region and its forward-looking commitment to cultivating abundance through responsible practices. Rather than replicating past models, the Nestells are shaping a space where learning and care are ongoing, responsive to place and season.
Through daily work with the land, they embody values of stewardship and gratitude, welcoming neighbors into a rhythm of reconnection. The farm stands as a reminder that growth, like soil, needs time, presence and patience.
Location: 591 Horton Bay Rd., Petoskey. For more information, call 616-717-8651 or visit HortonBayHeritageFarm.com.
