Jennifer Garner’s Family Farm Has Been Part of Their Legacy Since the Great Depression. 90 Years Later, She’s Carrying It On

Jennifer Garner’s deep-rooted connection to farming is a poignant reflection of her family’s history, particularly centred around a historic farm in Locust Grove, Oklahoma, which has flourished since its acquisition during the Great Depression. Bought by her great-grandparents in 1936, this 55-acre property has been a significant part of the Garner family’s legacy.

Garner’s mother, Patricia, spent her childhood on this farm, where the family cultivated crops and raised livestock despite limited resources. As Patricia recounted in a recent interview, the early years on the farm were devoid of many modern conveniences. “In the beginning, there was no electricity, running water, or indoor plumbing,” she explained. Electricity arrived in 1945, but even then, the family relied heavily on the land for sustenance.

The farm was a vital source of food, with Patricia recalling a garden brimming with vegetables like radishes, tomatoes, and cucumbers, while their pecan trees were both a source of income and a sweet treat. The farm provided the family with the basic necessities, including meat from their chickens, cows, and pigs, creating a vibrant cycle of agricultural life.

After Patricia’s father passed away in 1962, the farm transitioned to her brother James, and then to another brother, Robert. In 2008, Robert and his wife Janet took ownership and modernised the property, laying the groundwork for Jennifer to purchase it in 2017. As the current owner, Garner not only maintains the family tradition but also has her uncle Robert overseeing daily operations, ensuring that the legacy endures.

Garner’s commitment to the farm extends beyond mere ownership; it has also influenced her entrepreneurial ventures. In the same year she acquired the farm, she co-founded Once Upon a Farm, an organic baby and children’s food brand that focuses on cold-pressed fruit and vegetable pouches. This venture mirrors Garner’s desire to connect children with the joys of farming and healthful eating.

“Our family farm has inspired the recipes we offer,” Garner noted on the brand’s website. Through Once Upon a Farm, she aims to foster early connections between children and wholesome food. “One thing that I love about the farm is that my Uncle Robert still lives here,” she added. “He is the holder of the stories and runs the farm to this day.”

Garner’s dedication to fresh food and nutrition has become evident through public feedback from parents who laud the brand. Many have expressed their relief at discovering Once Upon a Farm, stating that it has helped ease their worries over feeding their children. Garner revealed, “I hear some version of that a couple of times a day, and I’m so, so proud of the company.” Her commitment goes beyond business; she views it as a way to instil healthier eating habits in children from a young age.

Growing up, Garner’s own relationship with food was shaped by her mother, who emphasised home-cooked meals over processed snacks. As she reminisced, Garner recalled her longing for packaged treats that her friends had, while her mother encouraged her to forage from their garden. “When we were hungry, she would say, ‘Go out to the garden, child,’” Garner said, reflecting on how her upbringing influences her parenting style today.

In her own home in Los Angeles, Garner has adopted similar garden-to-table practices, teaching her children—Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14—the value of growing their own food. The family has chickens and cultivates a variety of fruits and vegetables, alongside maintaining beehives, which have become a fascinating project for her kids. “It’s super fun. It’s like a living science experiment,” she quipped, highlighting the enriching experience of farm life.

Jennifer Garner’s journey through the realms of farming, family, and nutrition underscores her commitment to preserving a legacy that spans nearly a century. By intertwining her personal history with her professional pursuits, she not only celebrates her past but also contributes to nourishing future generations.