About Us

Our journey began with a simple goal: to live more intentionally and provide wholesome, honest food for our family and local community. What started as a few chickens and a garden quickly evolved into That1CluckedupHomestead—a place rooted in self-sufficiency, sustainability, and a love for sharing the harvest through our self-serve farmstand.

We believe that good food brings people together and that knowing where your food comes from truly matters. From raising happy hens to running our micro-bakery where we bake naturally fermented sourdough and preserve our harvest through home canning, we are proud to offer high-quality eggs and homemade goods made with care. Every loaf, jar, and carton reflects our commitment to simple ingredients, avoiding unnecessary additives and preservatives, reducing waste, and honoring the seasons.

Our farmstand is more than a place to grab fresh eggs, sourdough bread, or homemade pantry staples—it’s an extension of our values. Built on hard work, stewardship, and gratitude, That1CluckedupHomestead exists to promote healthier living, strengthen food security, and foster a sense of community.

Whether you’re stopping by for fresh eggs, a warm loaf of sourdough, or a jar from the pantry, you’re supporting a small family homestead where everything is made with intention—and a little love.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

Our mission is to nourish our local community with high-quality eggs and homemade products while encouraging healthier living. Through home canning, we preserve our harvest, stretch our resources, avoid unnecessary additives, reduce waste, and enjoy fresh flavors year-round—turning simple food into lasting value.

Matt & Ashlee got married in 2023 and have 5 wonderful children - Joey, Allison, Ashley, Alex & Jackson. We operate a micro-bakery and a self-serve farmstand, where we focus on sustainable food practices. We have 1 grandchild and another on the way. We are extremely proud of our kids; they are kind, respectful, and work as hard as us.

We have 4 dogs: Atlas, Theia, Kronk, and Moose. We adopted Atlas from the Dubuque Humane Society, and it quickly became clear that he needed a friend. So, we brought home Theia and Kronk, and everyone was super happy. This past year, we were fortunate to welcome Moose, who is 10 years old, into our family. He has settled in wonderfully with the pack, and we believe he loves his new home. Just like our commitment to sustainable food through our micro-bakery and self-serve farmstand, we cherish the joy our dogs bring to our lives.

A self-serve farmstand isn't just a place to sell food—it's a whole feeling, a purpose, and often a return to something simpler and more meaningful. At its heart, a farmstand connects people directly to where their food comes from. Instead of grocery store shelves and long supply chains, customers are buying bread from our micro-bakery, eggs that our chickens and ducks laid, and treats made right in our kitchen. There's honesty in that. People can see it, taste it, and trust it. It also creates community. A farmstand becomes a little gathering place—neighbors stopping by, kids picking out cookies, someone chatting a few extra minutes about their day. It's slower, more personal, and real in a way that's hard to find elsewhere. The farmstand reflects us, our creativity, our care, our story, and our commitment to sustainable food.

Ashlee started making her own bread for a healthy lifestyle, recognizing that store-bought bread is often considered unhealthy due to being an ultra-processed food filled with refined flours, added sugars, preservatives, and dough conditioners that extend shelf life. These ingredients strip the bread of natural fiber and nutrients, contributing to inflammation and various health issues. 

At our micro-bakery, we believe that sourdough is more than just bread—it's a living, breathing process grounded in time, patience, and wild yeast. 

Ashlee's sourdough starter is uniquely hers. We offer an array of sizes and flavors of sourdough, because flexibility is essential in real life. Not everyone needs a full loaf, and that's perfectly fine. Our smaller loaves are great for those who want to try something new, perfect for small households, or just a quick treat. For families and meal prep, our full-sized loaves deliver satisfying options. We aim to provide the freedom to purchase what fits your needs, budget, and appetite without waste. Plus, our self-serve farmstand allows you to choose sustainable food options that align with your lifestyle.

Matt was taught at an early age how to make jams and jellies, a skill that aligns perfectly with the values of a micro-bakery. Making jam is one of those simple, old-fashioned skills that gives back in so many ways. First, it helps us preserve what's in season. When berries or fruit are at their peak, turning them into jam lets us hold onto that flavor for months. Instead of wasting extra produce, we're stretching it into something that lasts, which is a key principle of sustainable food practices. There's also the quality factor. Homemade jam means we control everything—less sugar if we want, no preservatives, real fruit, and unique flavor combinations that you won't find in a self-serve farmstand. It just tastes...real.

There's just something about chickens that gets into your heart in the quietest, most unexpected way. What starts as 'just a few birds' turns into knowing each one by personality - the curious one who follows you around, the sassy one who talks back, the gentle one who waits patiently for treats. They aren't just animals out back; they become part of the rhythm of your life. They greet you in the morning, and they slow you down in the evening, reminding you to appreciate the little things. Whether it’s the way the sun hits their feathers or the soft clucking as they settle in, these moments of joy are part of a sustainable food journey. Gathering fresh eggs still warm from the nest connects us to our self-serve farmstand, where we share the bounty with others. Chickens give us eggs, but they also bring peace, purpose, and a little bit of magic every single day. We wouldn't trade it for anything.

Matt grew up canning pickles with his family, turning it into a cherished family event where everyone came together to slice, dice, brine, and can pickles. He fondly remembers how his grandmother chose a yellow countertop to avoid pickle brine stains. Now, Matt has passed down this family tradition of canning pickles to his own immediate family, creating new memories with their kids while teaching them the art of canning. Nothing beats the taste of homemade pickles, especially when enjoyed alongside the fresh produce from our self-serve farmstand, contributing to sustainable food practices. This connection to food and family continues to thrive in their micro-bakery.

It’s kitchen chemistry in action. When the sugar mixture reaches the hard crack stage, it forms a glass-like structure. Adding baking soda creates tiny air bubbles, making the brittle light and crisp instead of rock-hard. This dramatic transformation goes from a clear syrup → bubbling foam → golden candy in minutes, which is perfect for a micro-bakery or self-serve farmstand. Timing matters a lot, which makes it fun (and a little thrilling). Minimal ingredients, big result Just sugar + heat + a few extras = a completely different texture and flavor. Long shelf life Because it has very little moisture, brittle stays fresh and crunchy for weeks if stored airtight—great for sustainable food gifting. Easy to customize You can swap peanuts for almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, or even add things like chili flakes or chocolate drizzle.

Ducks have a way of stealing your heart in the most unexpected ways. They're curious, chatty, a little mischievous, and full of personality. We love our ducks because they bring joy to the homestead in their own quirky way—waddling around like they own the place, splashing in water like it's a luxury resort, and always making us laugh with their antics. Our sustainable food journey is even more delightful with these feathered friends. They remind us that happiness can be simple: sunshine, fresh water, muddy feet, and a flock that follows you around like old friends. As we enjoy our micro-bakery treats and run our self-serve farmstand, these ducks bring a touch of feathered magic to our homestead.