Podcast Summary: The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast | Episode 1KHO 528: "At Some Point, You Just Need to Start" with Melissa Ferguson of Our Friendly Farmhouse

Release Date: July 18, 2025
Host: Jenny Urch
Guest: Melissa Ferguson, Author of Our Friendly Farmhouse

Introduction

In the inaugural episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, hosted by Jenny Urch, listeners are introduced to Melissa Ferguson, an accomplished author and the creative force behind Our Friendly Farmhouse. Melissa shares her unique journey from experiencing a decade of rejection as a writer to achieving semi-successful status with multiple novels and a forthcoming children's book. The conversation delves deep into her inspirations, challenges, and the intertwining of her personal life with her professional endeavors.

Melissa Ferguson's Authorial Journey

Overcoming Rejection and Finding Success

Melissa begins by candidly discussing her ten-year struggle in the literary world, humorously branding her journey as "10 years of rejection now semi-successful" (01:14). She emphasizes the persistence required to break into the industry, recounting how attending writers' conferences with her young twins was both a logistical and emotional challenge (05:19). Melissa's breakthrough came at a writers' conference where, despite numerous rejections, her work was ultimately recognized and rewarded, leading to her first agent and subsequent book deals.

Melissa Ferguson [06:08]: "You're totally successful. So my first agent from that and then went to more. More things. Wrote. I ended up writing a second book and then a third book. And it was the third book that got picked up for a three-book contract."

Transitioning to Romantic Comedies

Originally unprepared for the commercial market due to her unconventional first novel, Melissa pivoted to the romantic comedy genre upon her agent's suggestion. This strategic move resulted in her securing a three-book deal with My Dream House, marking a significant turning point in her career (11:34).

Melissa Ferguson [11:47]: "What's really popular is romance and why don't you try that? And I said, well, I don't like romance. And then I said, actually, I love you've Got Mail."

Building Our Friendly Farmhouse

From Land Acquisition to Family Project

Melissa recounts the spontaneous decision to purchase property after her husband spotted an auction sign during a bike ride. This venture led to the creation of their farmhouse, a core element of her children's book. The process was fraught with high energy and uncertainty, especially navigating the auction environment and building relationships with neighbors.

Melissa Ferguson [26:30]: "Why not? Yeah, yeah, it was cool. It was exactly what you would have thought if you've ever thought about auctions."

Involvement of Her Children

Unlike traditional authors, Melissa incorporated her children into the creative process of Our Friendly Farmhouse. Their contributions ranged from providing input on the storyline to assisting with illustrations, making it a true family endeavor.

Melissa Ferguson [46:48]: "They got to be a part of the process every step of the way... They would have genuine feedback. And I think that's really valuable too, because this is a real kid's perspective."

Our Friendly Farmhouse: A Children's Autobiography

Crafting a Relatable Narrative

Our Friendly Farmhouse serves as a blend of Melissa's personal experiences and creative storytelling, aiming to inspire children to embrace the outdoors and build meaningful connections with nature. The book is designed to encourage families to slow down, appreciate their surroundings, and foster bravery in taking optimistic risks.

Melissa Ferguson [45:41]: "The difference in this book and other construction books that I've seen is that it goes beyond it. It's built. But then now let's continue. Let's turn a house into a real home or like a real place where you're really making some great memories."

Word Choice and Illustrations

Melissa emphasizes the importance of rich vocabulary and hand-painted illustrations in her children's book, striving to introduce young readers to new words and concepts through engaging visuals.

Melissa Ferguson [40:53]: "I wanted to say Appalachian mountains and I wanted about the specific bird and I wanted to like not shy away from some specific word choices that were bigger."

Adapting Books into Movies

Navigating the Film Industry

Melissa shares the exciting development of having her book adapted into a movie by Great American Family Media. She describes the proactive steps she took, including relentless messaging and leveraging her social media presence, which eventually led to the collaboration.

Melissa Ferguson [20:00]: "I messaged them a billion times until they finally were like, fine, send us your books. And I was like, yay."

Family Involvement in Filmmaking

While Melissa opted to delegate the scriptwriting to a professional, she ensured her family's presence by requesting that her children and herself could appear in minor roles or walk by in the background during filming in Canada.

Melissa Ferguson [22:36]: "Can the kids and I like, walk by in the background? So we just applied for our passports because apparently they shoot in Canada."

Balancing Farming and Writing

Efficient Homestead Management

Melissa discusses her approach to farming, highlighting the importance of efficiency and systematization. She shares practical tips, such as implementing drip irrigation and automating routine tasks to maintain a thriving garden and livestock while managing her writing commitments.

Melissa Ferguson [15:02]: "Efficiency is really important in homestead life. So you get everything set up to make it as easy as possible."

Lessons from Mistakes

Reflecting on past errors, such as acquiring chickens before a proper coop, Melissa advises aspiring farmers to start slowly and learn from their mistakes without being discouraged by setbacks.

Melissa Ferguson [51:20]: "Just start, but for me, we started slowly. You know, we got one animal at a time."

Advice for Aspiring Authors and Farmers

Taking Calculated Risks

Melissa emphasizes the importance of taking optimistic risks and not letting fear of rejection hinder one's ambitions. She advocates for perseverance and intentional action as key factors in achieving success.

Melissa Ferguson [27:23]: "I think the likelihood that you'll... you can probably, you know, you can maybe."

Leveraging Technology and Tools

To manage her time effectively, Melissa utilizes tools like the Opal app to limit social media use and maintain productivity, balancing her roles as a mother, farmer, and author.

Melissa Ferguson [28:18]: "It's a blocker. So I set, like, a time limit for 30 minutes."

Conclusion

Jenny Urch wraps up the episode by celebrating Melissa Ferguson's achievements and the release of Our Friendly Farmhouse. She highlights the book's potential to inspire families to embrace outdoor activities and build cherished memories, reflecting the core mission of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast.

Jenny Urch [58:44]: "This book encourages your family to slow down, enjoy the beauty around you, hug one another tightly and laugh loudly."

Melissa echoes the sentiment, expressing her excitement for the future projects and continued collaboration with her family and the literary community.

Notable Quotes

• Jenny Urch [08:23]: "That is a lot of grit."
• Melissa Ferguson [22:07]: "I'm going to make them like, can I sit here? And it is such an interesting thing, I think, to be able to open up those paths for our kids."

This episode underscores the profound impact of outdoor play and family collaboration in childhood development, aligning perfectly with the podcast's mission to inspire families to reclaim their childhood through nature.