The Tiny but Mighty Homestead Farmstand
Maryland to Marlin, Texas in August of 2023, trading suburban living for a lifestyle with room to grow.
“It all started with a baby chicken,” Jae said simply.
“That’s how this all started,” Nakeya agreed with a laugh. “Then I wanted more animals. Now we raise chick-
Times are hard for many these days given the cost of grocery store goods, but the Wharton family in Marlin is seeking to be a bright spot in the community with their “Tiny but Mighty Homestead” Farmstand.
Jae and Nakeya Wharton moved their family from ens, quail, and rabbits.”
“Surprisingly, they’re fun to raise,” Jae added.
Prior to the move, their experience with animals was limited to pets, but the family embraced the idea of homesteading and got to work. In July of 2025, Nakeya started a Facebook Page for those who wished to stay up to date on their homesteading and homeschooling journey. A family friend built a farmstand for the Whartons, where young entrepreneur Alyci, now age nine, could sell “Lyci’s Sweet Treats”.
“She likes earning money and we learned that early on,” Nakeya said, reminiscing on Lyci’s Lemonade Stand in Maryland that was successful and well-received. “We don’t pay for chores, but you can make a business and earn money.”
Nine-year-old Alyci has a few fan favorites: her pumpkin bread is a big hit, along with cinnamon rolls, and she recently made chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles that sold quickly with visitors. She always tests the batter to make sure her treats are yummy. Beyond baking, Lyci’s hobbies include crochet (“I can do a chain stitch!” she proudly announced), sleeping, and reading about Pokemon. Science is her favorite subject, which makes sense for a burgeoning baker.
Though the farmstand is indeed used to sell “Lyci’s Sweet Treats” (baked on Fridays, sold at the farmstand on Saturdays & Sundays), the Whartons recognized an opportunity to help their neighbors leading up to Thanksgiving 2025.
“Let’s use the farmstand to give back this Thanksgiving season,” Nakeya posted on the Tiny but Mighty Farmstand Page on Nov. 9, 2025. “Monday through Thursday, the stand will be open with donations. Please come by to drop off/pick up foods that families love for this holiday.”
Through the month, Nakeya continued posting updates of available food items, encouraging folks to take what they need or donate if led. Donations kept coming, even after Thanksgiving passed, and having seen so many blessed by the food, the Whartons decided to continue facilitating food assistance through the farmstand.
“Anyone could come out here and get anything from the farmstand,” Jae said. “It started off with us going to the store and getting a few things to put out, and then other people started adding stuff too. We like how it’s starting to bring the community together, and we’ve been hearing the stories about how people have been wanting something like this.”
Beyond shelf-stable groceries, donations have included knitted hats, socks, personal hygiene items like deodorant and toothpaste, and even cat and dog food.
“It’s different from going to food pantries, because a lot of time for food pantries, they want all your information: they want to know how much (money) you’re making, how many in your household… This is completely different,” Nakeya said. “We don’t want any of that, just take what you need. We’re not looking out the window like ‘oh you know so and so came by and you know they got money’ - we’re not looking for that.”
Nakeya noted that their children (Alyci age 9, Kalena age 4, and LJ, age 2) are always excited to see people visiting the farmstand. The Whartons are teaching their children the importance of giving, while also encouraging their entrepreneurial spirits: a dual mindset that is sure to take them far in life.
“Keep an eye on these two entrepreneurs within the next 5-10 years,” Jae said, gesturing to his wife and oldest daughter. “The Tiny but Mighty Homestead, Lyci’s Sweet Treats and Keya’s Kreations are probably going to be blowing up by then. This is a household full of entrepreneurs, and who knows what path the younger two will take when they get to Lycia’s age. They have a great support system.”
In this journey of life, Nakeya and Jae are learning alongside them.
“Growing plants and vegetables is hard, so I’ve been learning how to do that. I’ve been meeting other homesteaders, farmers, people who want to share, and it’s been nice,” Nakeya said. “We need to start passing these trades and skills to the younger generation because we’re not going to be around forever. We’re teaching them to raise their own food, like Lycia was saying earlier. We will butcher a rooster and eat it; we’ve never done that before and life is completely different than it was in Maryland. We have been blessed and we take one day at a time. We’ve got plans for this farmstand.”
Indeed, some of those plans are already taking root.
“I want to do a seed swap or plant swap here at the farmstand, things to do with gardening and helping each other to have food. Every household should have food, no one should have to worry ‘where is my next meal coming from?’ because God provides; ask and you shall receive,” Nakeya said. “Another thing we’ve been thinking about putting on the farmstand is scriptures. Maybe a Guest Book or a place where people can leave notes or comments. We pray over this thing, ask the community for help, and want to see what else we can do.”
Anyone seeking to donate or take food from the Tiny but Mighty Homestead Farmstand is invited to stop by 440 Maryland St. in Marlin Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. til dark, or Saturday- Sunday, 9 a.m. til dark, when Lyci’s Sweet Treats are also available for purchase. The Whartons also sell homemade salves and chapsticks from the farmstand, and eggs when their chickens lay more than they can eat.
You can also follow their Facebook Page, Tiny but Mighty Homestead, to request a specific sweet treat, keep up to date on farmstand offerings, and see some of the Wharton family’s adventures.