Farming with Lyme Disease
In Episode 61 of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, Jennifer Joray shares about farming with Lyme disease and how she found healing through flower farming.
Healing Through Flower Farming: How Jennifer Joray Turned Lyme Disease into a Path for Natural Wellness
What if your dream farm held more than just flowers—but the very path to healing your family’s health?
That’s exactly what happened to Jennifer Joray, founder of Eastern River Farm, whose journey from urban life to a 20-acre flower farm in Maine is as inspiring as it is instructive.
In episode 61 of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, we sat down with Jennifer to talk about building a flower farm from scratch, navigating the realities of Lyme disease, and how nature—both in the field and on the table—became her greatest teacher.
Whether you’re a backyard gardener, aspiring flower farmer, or simply looking for more natural ways to support your family’s health, this conversation is filled with practical takeaways and soul-stirring wisdom.
From City Life to Flower Fields: The Leap Toward Farming
Jennifer and her husband Scott weren’t always farmers. They were professionals raising two young children in Salem, Massachusetts—juggling careers, commuting, and meal planning with a growing frustration: clean food was hard to access, expensive, and time-consuming to source.
Then one day, Scott asked a question that would change their lives:
“What about farming?”
That question sparked a years-long journey of learning, dreaming, and finally finding their perfect property—a 20-acre farm with a river, rolling hills, and the potential to grow something far bigger than vegetables and flowers.
“We Gave Up Everything—and Found Everything”: A Life Rebuilt From the Ground Up
The transition wasn’t easy. Jennifer spoke candidly about leaving a beloved community, a walkable neighborhood, and a home they loved. But with each step into the unknown, they found more than land—they found purpose, connection, and ultimately, healing.
“The farm becomes part of you,” Jennifer said.
“It gets into your blood and your bones.”
What began as a leap of faith became a daily rhythm rooted in nature, soil, and family. Their daughters, though initially hesitant, now live and breathe the farm life—proof that even the smallest seeds can grow into something lasting.
The Unexpected Turn: Farming with Lyme Disease and the Reality of Ticks on a Flower Farm
Within their first season, Jennifer was bitten by a tick—and soon after, diagnosed with acute Lyme disease. As the months unfolded, she learned that three out of four members of their family had either tested positive or carried markers of tick-borne illness.
That diagnosis led her down a completely new path: one of natural medicine, herbal healing, and a radical rethinking of wellness.
From firsthand experience and years of research, Jennifer began implementing herbal protocols that included:
- Japanese Knotweed – a foundational herb in Lyme support
- Cryptolepis – a powerful plant-based antimicrobial
- Cat’s Claw – used cautiously with professional guidance
- Andrographis – for pets and immune regulation
- Custom tinctures made with clean-sourced herbs grown on their farm
How Eastern River Farm Supports a Thriving Ecosystem—Without Chemicals
One of the most remarkable parts of Jennifer’s story is how they chose to farm:
No herbicides, no pesticides, no fungicides.
Instead of fighting nature, they observed it. They allowed balance to return. And it did.
Now, their farm is teeming with life: bluebirds, frogs, turtles, hummingbirds, and even nesting bald eagles. They’ve created a safe haven for biodiversity—and the land has responded in kind.
Her philosophy?
“Trust that nature will right itself. It might take time, but it always finds balance.”
Natural Tick Prevention on the Farm: What Works (and What Doesn’t)
Jennifer generously shared a range of natural strategies they now use to minimize tick exposure without turning to harsh chemicals:
🧼 Daily Habits
- Spray boots, socks, waistlines, and pant legs with essential oils like lemongrass, peppermint, and eucalyptus
- Shower immediately after being in tall grass or working outside
- Hang pants up instead of leaving them on the floor—ticks crawl upward
🐓 Animal Allies
- Chickens and other livestock naturally reduce tick populations
- Guinea hens (though chaotic!) are known for their tick-eating abilities
- Keep fields active—ticks love fallow land
🌿 Herbal Protection
- Daily tinctures of Japanese Knotweed and Cryptolepis
- Natural immunity-building teas made from bee balm, calendula, rosemary, yarrow, and other garden herbs
- Regular check-ins with a naturopath or functional medicine practitioner trained in tick-borne illness
Final Thoughts: Healing Is Slow, But Deeply Rooted
Jennifer’s journey reminds us that flower farming isn’t just about beauty—it can be about deep healing. From regenerating the land to reclaiming health, this episode is a testament to how much nature has to teach us.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the realities of farming or frustrated by conventional health solutions, this conversation is for you.
Listen to Episode 61 on Your Favorite Podcast Platform:
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Jennifer shared a wealth of resources in this episode—here are a few to explore:
- 📖 Healing Lyme by Stephen Buhner
- 🌿 Pacific Botanicals – Trusted source for clean, dried herbs
- 🌿 Strictly Medicinal Seeds – Medicinal seeds from herbalist Rico Cech
- 🌿 Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine – Online courses by Juliet Blankespoor
- 🌿 Zack Woods Herb Farm – Vermont-based medicinal herb farm
- 🌿 SevenSong – Herbalist and educator
- 🌿 The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer by Jeff & Melanie Carpenter
*Disclaimer: This blog post shares personal experiences related to Lyme disease and herbal wellness. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider or naturopath before starting any new treatment, herbal protocol, or supplement.
Connect with Jennifer Joray:
📸 Instagram: @easternriverfarm
🌐 Website: easternriverfarm.com
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