Sometimes, the best business ideas begin with a simple need at home. For One Blessed Acre Farm, a woman-owned small business based in Ferndale, that need was finding a use for extra goat milk. Today, what began as a practical homesteading project has grown into a handcrafted skincare business rooted in family, local agriculture and a commitment to thoughtful ingredients.
One Blessed Acre Farm creates small-batch goat milk skincare, including signature soaps, lotions, facial skincare, body care and gift sets. Fresh goat milk is sourced locally from Francis Creek Ranch, helping connect the products to the farms and families that make Humboldt County special.
Each product is made with care, using thoughtfully chosen ingredients and presented with an eye for detail. The goal is to create skincare that feels both practical and special, with a personal connection behind every order.
The story began when the owner, Michelle Bibby, and her family returned to her hometown of Ferndale after her husband retired from the Air Force. They wanted to build a slower, more intentional life centered on faith, family, hard work and self-sufficiency. Their homestead started with chickens but before long they had added Nubian dairy goats as well.
Eventually, the family found themselves with more fresh milk than they could use. At the same time, Michelle was becoming more mindful of the ingredients in everyday skincare products. Those two circumstances sparked an interest in learning the traditional art of making soap and lotion with goat milk.
What began as a way to use excess milk soon became a passion for creating skincare products for other families. That passion developed into One Blessed Acre Farm, allowing Michelle to turn their homesteading experience into a home business while sharing something they genuinely enjoy making.
Michelle recently had a grand opening of her new retail store located in Fernbridge. Her and her husband own the property and when it became vacant, she decided it was time to move out of her garage and into a real store front. They spruced the place up a bit, and moved all the manufacturing, packaging and shipping. She has made it her own.
Returning to Ferndale also meant returning to a community that continues to shape the business. Humboldt County's appreciation for local agriculture, independent businesses, and personal connections has helped One Blessed Acre Farm grow while staying true to its roots.
For Michelle, one of the most meaningful parts of running a local business is knowing the people behind the farms, shops and businesses throughout the region. She values being part of a community where people want to see one another succeed and where supporting a small business often means supporting a neighbor.
That spirit is especially evident in the relationship with Francis Creek Ranch. The ranch's family was the first to help Michelle’s family acquire the goats that started her journey into skincare. Now, the two businesses have come full circle, with Francis Creek Ranch supplying the fresh goat milk used in One Blessed Acre Farm's products. It's a partnership that demonstrates how local relationships can grow into something lasting and mutually meaningful.
Customer connections are another important part of the business. Michelle finds inspiration in creating new products, hearing how customers use them and seeing people return after discovering something they truly enjoy. Those relationships, along with recommendations from satisfied customers and support from local retailers, have helped the business grow through word of mouth.
Looking ahead, One Blessed Acre Farm hopes to expand thoughtfully without losing the personal touch that makes it special. Plans include offering classes, tours and special events that give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how the products are made. The business also hopes to strengthen relationships with local retailers and introduce its products to new customers while building a sustainable future for the family.
For those looking to support One Blessed Acre Farm, the best place to start is by shopping small and spreading the word. Every purchase, review, recommendation or social media share can help a local business reach someone new.
Choosing Humboldt means choosing to invest in the people, farms and small businesses that give our communities their character. At One Blessed Acre Farm, that commitment begins with a family homestead in Ferndale and continues with every thoughtfully handcrafted product made for customers near and far.
