Disclosure: Meanwhile Back on the Farm sent me a few of their products to share on social media, but I really love their brand and story and wanted to write a blog post featuring their family-owned small business.  Both my mom and I have shopped from them as customers as well.  There’s a coupon code for 15% off at the bottom of the post, so don’t miss that!

Since I’ve moved back to the East Coast, it’s become a regular thing for my mom and me to go to the Lucketts Market in the Fall and Spring.  It’s our special girl’s day out.  The fall of 2022 was our first time attending and, before I went to the event, a woman from my church told me, “You have to visit Meanwhile Back on the Farm.  They’ll be there as vendors and I know the owner. Say hi for me!”  So, I sought out the booth and passed along the greeting, and it ended up being a serendipitous errand.  My mom and I both love bags and own too many.  We’re not talking about designer purses.  We’re talking totes, zipper pouches, shopping bags, beach bags, backpacks, messenger bags, canvas bags, project bags…all the bags.  My mom fell in love with the bags from Meanwhile Back on the Farm and bought her first one that day.

Since then, it’s been one of our regular stops so she can buy a new color or style of bag.  I bought her one for Christmas last year, too.  I have tried to resist acquiring another bag since I have so many, but their bags are so well made that I finally got one.  I got the Waxed Canvas Backback 2.0 in Olive and it is a winner.

The size is such that it can be either a large purse or a small tote, making it a very versatile bag.  I decided to move into it and use it as my purse for a while.  It gives me some extra room to stash a water bottle and a notebook when I want to.

And, the best part about it is converts to a backpack by swapping out the straps.  I think I’ll use it with one strap most of the time, but it’s nice to have the two-strap option.  Since I was a teenager, I’ve had a hard time with my back if I carry a purse on one shoulder too long.  It just throws me off and it helps if I can carry the weight evenly between both shoulders.  It’s hard to find a purse/backpack that doesn’t look too kiddish and this one definitely doesn’t.

I was already a fan of the Meanwhile Back on the Farm brand, but I knew I met kindred spirits when I read their story.  Heather and Bobby launched and run the business together to share their love for all things homegrown with their customers.  Not only do they design and manufacture quality bags, leather goods, and accessories, but they sell vegetables from their organic garden and spicy mustard made with their own jalapenos.  They are creators and makers and those are my kind of people.

I also loved reading that Heather started making and selling duffle bags at a young age in order to pay for her favorite hobby – horses.  I was industrious as a child and teenager, so I can relate to her entrepreneurial beginnings.  It’s really cool that what started as a way to make some hobby money became a family business.  And, I bet her bag designing and making abilities have grown as she has matured as a person, maker, and business owner.

All of their products are made with high-quality materials and the utmost care.  You can feel how substantial they are when pulling the zipper open or grabbing the handles.  You don’t feel like you have to be gentle, careful, or precious.  But along with the hardworking practicality comes pretty details like cheerful fabric lining, a key clip, pockets, and a wide array of interchangeable straps.  When my mom bought her first purse at their booth at the Lucketts Market, she picked out her bag and then they fitted a strap on her so it was perfectly sized for her height, body shape, and how she prefers to carry her bag.  With all of the bag shopping I’ve done, I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a bag fitting!  It just shows their attention to detail.

I also got one of their water resistant Ditty Bags in one of my favorite fabrics – William Morris’ Strawberry Thief by Liberty of London.  I could find a few dozen ways to use a bag like this, but I ended up putting some of the toiletry items I like to have on hand in my purse – medicine for a headache, tissues, lotion, a nail file.  It just keeps things contained inside my purse and I can easily remove all of it when I’m just going on a quick outing and I’m not likely to need the full pharmacy!

It would make a great “wet” travel bag for shampoos and liquid soaps that might leak and I could also see using it for paints.  Of course.  Everything in my world can somehow relate to paint.

They sent along a jar of their mustard as well, which will be fun to try.  I put Dijon mustard in the chicken patties I make regularly (you can find the recipe HERE), so I think I’m going to try using it in those.

Meanwhile Back on the Farm is located in Lynchburg, VA, and sells online and at events around the US.  You can shop online HERE and find their list of 2024 events HERE.

If you see something you love or someone you love would love, use code MUSTARDSEED to get 15% off your online purchase.

You can also follow their new launches and special sales and events HERE on Instagram.