Brian and Nissa Gadbois are part of a growing number of what are popularly known as New Agrarians - those folks whose first vocation was not farming, but who have decided to make a change to an agricultural lifestyle. Often, new agrarians bring their previous experiences in business to their farm ventures, along with a desire for innovation. Consequently, their operations are often successful beyond all expectations. Sometimes, as in Brian and Nissa's cases, agriculture is also in the blood.

Brian is the grandson of poultry farmers. His paternal grandparents raised turkeys in East Brookfield, Massachusetts in the 1950s. His maternal grandparents raised pastured chickens on their farm in Spencer, Massachusetts, long before pastured poultry was fashionable. His grandmother, MaryRose delivered fresh eggs throughout Worcester county. The Berthiaume homestead still exists, the original farmhouse, barn, and coop are still standing and in excellent condition. Brian's maternal step-grandfather - Pepere as he was known - grew up in Quebec, the son of maple sugarers. He lovingly passed this skill down to his grandchildren, and could often be found on an afternoon in March pottering around the homestead collecting "water" (what he called the sap), or cozied in by the wood fire that burned beneath the homemade vat in the barn. The smell of sap boiling is still one of comfort, and happy memories.

Nissa is the grand-daughter of subsistence farmers. Her grandfather, Jack (for whom the Gadbois' oldest son was named), Kept an enormous garden on the family homestead in Warren, Massachusetts. That garden provided enough food for an extended family that included Nissa's aunts, uncles and cousins. There was always plenty to share with friends and neighbours, as well as the many, many people who were blessed to accept Jack and Belle's warm hospitality. Both her grandparents had a great respect for nature, and taught her how to harvest respectfully from the wild - berries, nuts, and other wild plants - leaving enough for both the health of the wild propagation of that plant population, and for wild animals on which her grandparents also sometimes depended for food. Nissa's grandparents also passed on their wisdom in the art of food preservation - pickling, canning, freezing and drying. Nissa's grandfather taught her how to preserve the skins of animals he'd hunted for food, and to use native plants for dye and for health. From them also comes Nissa's intense sense of self-sufficiency, learning to make what she could from raw materials, and to fix what is broken, rather than replacing it with something new.

The tradition of self-sufficiency is being carried on by Brian and Nissa's children. Their oldest daughter, Catherine is an accomplished knitter, making clothing and toys from her own designs. Their son Jack is an outstanding woodworker, who is honing the craft of making rustic furniture. Their daughter Caroline is a keen needleworker and cook. William, their second son, enjoys helping to tend the chickens and goats, and is always the first to spot a new lain egg. The younger children enjoy helping in all of these tasks, and reaping the benefits of the fruits of the family labour. Subsistence farming has also formed a significant portion of the family's home education.

In addition to homesteading, Brian is a general partner in a government contracting firm, and a candidate for the Diaconate for the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts. Nissa spends as much time as possible writing, and operating the family's small-press publishing company. They both enjoy sharing their knowledge to help others achieve a simpler, more family-centered lifestyle.