From Pasture to Purpose – The Story Behind JBW Farms

Editor’s Note:
This story is the first in a three-part series exploring the people, purpose, and vision behind JBW Farms in Laurens County, South Carolina.

Nestled on the upper edge of Laurens County, in the quiet community of Gray Court, South Carolina, JBW Farms is more than a farm—it’s a calling. Founded on faith, legacy, and an unshakable commitment to bettering the local community, the farm is home to more than animals and agriculture. It’s also the base for Pet Commander Kennels and the Haven House—each initiative a reflection of the Watkins family’s desire to create safe spaces and lasting impact.

A Family Dream with Deep Roots

Jonathan Watkins didn’t grow up in the old 1880s farmhouse that now sits at the center of JBW Farms—but he grew up just down the road on Greenpond Road, where his life was shaped by a close-knit community and hard-working parents. After serving as a police officer in Fairfax County, Virginia, and his wife JoDee working as a registered nurse in Northern Virginia, the couple began building a side business with the dream of one day returning to the land where Jonathan was raised.

That dream turned into a mission. Jonathan and JoDee purchased 105 acres together and later added five more—including a farmhouse they believed would simply be a beautiful restoration project.

“We thought we were just buying a farmhouse,” Jonathan said. “What we ended up with was a legacy—something we were meant to protect and share.”

They soon discovered the home was originally built by Jonathan’s great-great-grandfather. The connection wasn’t just symbolic—it was divine. Every fence post, every animal, every chore became a part of a much bigger story rooted in generational stewardship.

A Mission Grounded in Faith and Stewardship

From the beginning, the mission of JBW Farms has been about more than food. It’s been about creating places of safety and purpose—for animals, for people, and for the land. That mission first took shape in Pet Commander Kennels, which opened in 2017 and intentionally employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing meaningful work and a nurturing environment. In 2018, the vision expanded with the creation of the Haven House, a home built to provide refuge for women and families in crisis.

“We knew we were called back to this community,” JoDee said. “We didn’t just want to live here—we wanted to serve here. We wanted to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our own backyard.”

The farm itself was born out of prayer, obedience, and what the Watkins family calls “God stories.” On the day they first walked the land, JoDee stretched out her arms and began to pray over it. Although the original owner wasn’t ready to sell at the time, six months later he agreed. From there, JBW Farms was born.

“There were so many times when the path didn’t make sense,” Jonathan said. “But we were committed to doing what God asked us to do, even when it felt impossible.”

One of the most powerful stories came in the building of the Haven House. After Jonathan returned from working on the 6666 Ranch in Texas, he told JoDee they needed to build a house for people in need. JoDee was tired. She hesitated. A $300,000 project felt too big.

One morning, JoDee was sitting on the back porch reading Matthew chapters 1 through 4 when she was struck by how often God spoke through visions. As she reflected on the passages, she felt deeply convicted – God had already given Jonathan a clear vision for the Haven House, and they had not acted on it. It wasn’t that she had received new visions herself; rather, through Scripture, she realized they had been postponing obedience to something God had already made clear. That moment of conviction was the turning point that moved them forward. Six weeks later, JoDee received a phone call from a family member.

“He told me he needed our bank account number to make a deposit into our account, and the amount was $600,000” JoDee said. “I couldn’t even speak. I sobbed. Then I heard God clearly say, ‘I don’t need your money. I just need your obedience.’”

The Haven House went on to shelter domestic violence survivors and other families in crisis. But in 2024, everything changed again.

At a time when the Haven House was near empty, JoDee unexpectedly lost the job that had funded most of the farm’s ministries, and their family income dropped dramatically. Their financial advisor recommended selling the farm. But they couldn’t imagine walking away from what God had started. At the same time, the family living in the Haven House decided to return to Virginia.

“I crawled into bed and asked Jonathan, ‘What are we going to do?’” JoDee recalled. “He said, ‘I think we’re supposed to move into the Haven House and convert the  farmhouse into a market and Airbnb.’ I cried myself to sleep. I loved that farmhouse.”

The decision to leave the farmhouse and move into the Haven House wasn’t an easy one for JoDee. The family had lovingly restored the historic home, and she had grown deeply attached to it. At the same time, moving into the Haven House—a space they had intentionally built for people in crisis—felt emotionally complicated. While speaking with a therapist friend, JoDee shared how torn she felt. “We built that house for people in need,” she said. Her friend gently replied, “Right now, that’s you. You’re in need—and God knew when you built it that you’d live there in this season.”

God continued to provide. On May 2, the previous family moved after deciding on their own to relocate. On May 7, the Watkins family moved into the Haven House—grateful to remain on the land they had poured so much into. The historic farmhouse was transformed into a new chapter: home to The Market at JBW Farms, and a peaceful retreat where guests can stay, learn, and rest. The store officially opened in late May, and the Airbnb has already begun welcoming its first reservations.

“God has shown us again and again that our job is just to say yes,” JoDee said. “We don’t always know the how, but we   always know the why.”

Closing Thought

Jonathan often quotes T.D. Jakes: “If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion—and your passion will lead you to your purpose.”

At JBW Farms, that passion is clear: people, community, and being a light in the place they call home.

In Part Two, we’ll step beyond their story and explore how the Watkins brothers, Jonathan and Jody, are bringing their vision to life—through hands-on experiences, farm-fresh food, and community-centered events at JBW Farms. For more information about JBW Farms Homestead, visit their website.

Click on the images in the photo gallery to get a glimpse of the farm and then go visit.