Can This Vintage Trailer Serve Coffee AND Save Dogs?
People keep telling me farming is a dying industry. They aren’t wrong. Costs are up, farms are folding, and shelters are overflowing with dogs who have run out of time. So yes, when Kelly and I decided to start Flip Farms right now, a lot of people thought we were out of our minds.
But here is the truth. Shelter dogs do not get saved by caution. They get saved by action.
Flip Farms is not just land. It is not just coffee. It is not just a rescue. It is survival. For them. And if I am honest, for us too. (Watch Video Above)
The Surprise That Tied It All Together
When someone called and said, “I have the perfect thing for you,” I said yes before I even finished the sentence. A 1952 Royal Spartan trailer. Vintage. Solid. Rough around the edges on the outside and stunning where it counts, on the inside. Kind of my spirit animal, honestly.
This trailer is where it all clicks. The grind of coffee. The grit of farming. The work of dog rescue. All funding one mission that absolutely has to succeed.
It is twice the work. The stakes are high. And caffeine will absolutely be involved.
Coffee, Dogs, and a Little Holiday Chaos
We kicked things off the only way we know how. Dogs underfoot. Christmas decorations everywhere. A tree that was way harder to decorate in the middle of a field than anyone tells you.
Bodie was there, watching it all unfold. If you remember him, Kelly walked him out of the shelter herself because he was in such rough shape. He is the kind of dog who makes you slow down whether you planned to or not.
Bodie’s Backstory (And Why Progress Is Not Linear)
Bodie is a small dog carrying a big history. Trauma like his does not disappear when the door opens and the leash comes off. New spaces, echoes, decorations, even joy can feel overwhelming.
So we go slow. Very slow.
He has learned that my lap is safe. He has learned that treats mean good things. He has learned that he does not have to rush the world anymore. Some days look like huge wins. Some days look like one step back. That is not failure. That is healing.
Training Takeaway
If you foster or adopt a shelter dog, expect decompression. Quiet spaces. Routine. Let the dog lead. Progress is still progress even when it is messy.
Treats Matter More Than You Think
We brought out fresh baked dog treats from The Dog Bakery. Wheat free, yogurt, unsweetened applesauce, peanut butter. Nothing fancy. Everything intentional.
For Bodie, taking a treat was not about food. It was about trust. Watching him sniff, hesitate, and finally accept it was a glimpse of hope. That moment matters more than people realize.
Sharing the Moment With Our Firefighter Neighbors
We ended up gifting our Christmas tree to the firefighters who just moved in near the farm. First responders who show up without hesitation deserve way more than words. Especially here in California, where fire and land and community intersect daily.
That tree belonged with them.
The Big Reveal: Our Coffee Trailer
Then came the moment. The trailer reveal.
Inside, everything was ready. Espresso machine. Cold brew tap. Space to stand (important when you are six foot four). A place to serve coffee to volunteers, neighbors, and anyone who wants to come meet the dogs.
This trailer is also going to be home to Dogs and Coffee podcast episodes right here on the farm. No rush. No noise. Just dogs, conversation, and purpose.
What Comes Next
We are not open to the public yet. Permits first. Polish second. But this is coming to life.
Bodie is now officially available for adoption and needs a calm, patient person who understands anxiety is not a flaw. It is a chapter.
Flip Farms is growing one careful step at a time. Coffee will help fund rescue. Rescue will change lives. And if we do this right, nobody has to play it safe.
Have a coffee. Save a dog. We are just getting started.
