5 minute read
Feature Family - Meet the Ulmers
A Dream Come True!
Photo by: Sarah Watson
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Sunny California is a big place, known for its palm trees, beaches, and the notoriety of multiple bustling cities. But, it was a tiny, obscure farming town with only one grocery store and a K-mart for a shopping “mall” that brought Steven and Ashley together.
Almost from the very beginning, destiny was at work, strategically sowing seeds: They were born exactly three weeks apart in the very same hospital. They were classmates in the same Kindergarten class. Middle School interlaced their paths daily through the school’s hallways into the same classrooms. High School did as well. There was never a time when Ashley and Steven didn’t know each other. They grew up as budding friends.
Things took on a rosier hue during their Junior year, when Steven donned some shining armor and joined Ashley’s family at a medieval reenactment event. With their shared enthusiasm for history, they both immensely enjoyed several days of mock sword fighting and other medieval festivities. Perhaps an observant wizard cast a spell, because after that, their friendship began to blossom into something more. Just a few months later, they were dating. Within a short time, Ashley says “we both knew it was forever.”
After graduating high school, not to be separated, the young dating couple both moved to Utah for college. Steven had always wanted to attend and play football at BYU, and Ashley wanted to stay nearby, of course. So she attended UVSC (now UVU). Steven pursued a degree in mechanical engineering while Ashley worked on a degree in teaching. She completed her schooling first, while Steven went overseas to Bulgaria to serve a religious mission for two years. Ashley wrote to him every single day and also planned their wedding, which occurred several weeks after his return home.
Thus, Tinyville, CA may not be on the map for most people, but it’s where two hearts started blooming into one and cast seeds far into their future. You see, in Tinyville, all residents were either farmers, or worked at the prison. Steven’s family worked thousands of acres of land. Ashley’s family had a three-acre hobby farm. All glam aside, their California childhood consisted of dirty hands from many happy hours spent outside in gardens and livestock pens. So, when their own family began to branch out with four children, Steven and Ashley began searching for a place outside of the “big” cities of Provo and Orem for a similar upbringing for their little ones. Spanish Fork, the biggest small town in Utah, was full of that potential. So, they bought a house and put in a small garden. But, even so, something was missing.
One winter day, a For Sale sign at the edge of a property flagged Steven down on his way home from work. Ashley got a phone call. Did she want to go see what was behind that For Sale sign? It was just mere curiosity. Ashley was promised they were “just looking.”
But, all their self-placation fell away the moment they set foot on the property - a fruit farm. It was like stepping into Home. Everything about the place rushed to fill the missing piece inside them: the orchard, the layout, the house, the stewardship and care that had cultivated all of it. Though the crops were different, it felt like they had stepped back in time and were standing on the “homebase” of their childhood. It was love at first sight. They knew they were home again.
A few months and a million prayers later, the dream became a reality when they moved their family onto the fruit farm. It was baptism by fire during their first season: producing fruit, vegetables, eggs, and meat through a pandemic and a drought.
Ashley poetically relays how the reality of life on their small dream farm leaves the body drained of energy, yet the soul filled with joy at the end of the day. It leaves you with dirty hands, yet also a clean conscience, because you know you did your duty with care, and will rightfully reap the rewards.
For these heart shifting experiences, the Ulmers are ever so thankful. Ashley sums it up by saying, “This tiny farm in the middle of this amazing town is our dream come true.” Raising their children here is the most rewarding thing of all.
Jordan (11), is a hardworking, thoughtful girl who can learn anything. She is always creating something. She loves school (especially since homeschool lets her wear her pj’s). Her favorite subjects are history and science, although she loves acting, dancing, and crafts too.
Raiden (9) is fiercely protective of his sisters and loves to make others laugh. He can take apart and rebuild almost anything you give him. He is good at both video games and working outside, especially on projects for his chickens. He is good at almost every sport and aims to be a firefighter someday.
Kyla Jo, their third child, made a brief, extremely premature visit to her family, passing away the same day. Her tombstone is located in the Provo cemetery.
Maggie (5) is a sweet, tough little cookie that had a rough start in the NICU, with brain surgery at only 5 weeks old. Today, she surprises all her doctors with how well she is doing. She can out-argue nearly anyone with her quick, 5-year-old wit, and loves to chat, color, dress up, have tea parties, and play with her dolls.
Ashley is a busy Mom who is happiest planting her garden with bare hands and bare feet. She utilizes her teaching degree by homeschooling her children and actively raising them on the tasks involved with livestock and gardening. She makes jams, syrups and general yumminess with the ample fruit from their orchard. You’ll see her at Spanish Fork’s Farmer’s Market selling their beautiful produce.
Steven is one impressive guy. Aside from the fruit farm, he also works as the Manufacturing Manager at Dymicron, making spinal disk implants. In addition, Steven also successfully runs his own machine shop in Spanish Fork - Ulmer Engineering. He is known for making nearly impossible parts faster than many of his competitors, ranging from medical devices to firearm parts. Spare time is rare, but when he gets it, he spends it shooting guns, playing sports, and he still enjoys medieval reenactment. (‘Twas where he found his damsel.)
Spanish Fork is happy the Ulmers found their dream fruit farm too!
