About Us

Welcome to Manifesta Farms

Manifesta Farms is the fulfillment of a dream that began with a simple desire: to create a place where family, creativity, faith, learning, and traditional skills could flourish together.

In 2014, my husband Stephen and I found a neglected 2½-acre property in Southern California. What looked like an opportunity quickly became our largest renovation project ever. From rat infestations and leaking roofs to rebuilding structures and restoring the land, every challenge became an opportunity to learn, grow, and create something beautiful.

Today, Manifesta Farms is home to our large family, gardens, dairy goats, bees, art studio, and countless projects. It is where we homeschool our children, practice traditional skills, and pursue a lifestyle centered on creativity, stewardship, and healthy living.

This website is an extension of that life—a place where we share what we are learning, creating, and preserving for future generations. My hope is that it encourages families to embrace creativity, healthy living, lifelong learning, and the joy of working with their hands.

Our Journey to Health

My passion for healthy living began long before the farm.

Growing up, I struggled with digestive issues, painful cycles, fatigue, and periods of discouragement. Everything began to change when my family started learning about nutrition after my younger brother was diagnosed with autism. Through improving our diet, removing processed foods, increasing nutrient-dense foods, and learning about traditional nutrition, I experienced a dramatic improvement in my own health.

That journey eventually led me to discover bone broth, fermented foods, grass-fed meats, raw dairy, properly prepared grains, and many of the traditional foods that now fill our family table. It also inspired our desire to grow, raise, and create as much as possible ourselves.

Healthy living remains one of the foundations of our family and continues to influence everything we do on the farm.

Creativity Has Always Been Part of My Story

I have loved creating for as long as I can remember.

As a child, I taught myself to draw portraits using library books and stacks of copy paper borrowed from my mother's printer. My first two paintings won sweepstakes awards at the Los Angeles County Fair, and that early encouragement fueled a lifelong passion for art.

Over the years I have explored murals, oil painting, watercolor, sculpture, gardening, home decorating, baking, photography, writing, and countless forms of creative expression. I believe creativity isn't limited to a canvas. It can be found in a garden bed, a beautifully prepared meal, a handmade gift, a painted beehive, or a lesson shared with a child.

As a mother of ten and home educator for more than twenty years, I have learned that creativity is one of the greatest gifts we can cultivate in ourselves and our children.

Meadow & Muse Creative Studio

Meadow & Muse grew naturally from our family's love of art, teaching, and creating together.

Through Meadow & Muse, we offer art classes, workshops, digital resources, handmade creations, and educational materials designed to inspire creativity and connection.

What makes Meadow & Muse special is that it truly is a family endeavor.

Cara Manifesta

As the founder of Manifesta Farms and Meadow & Muse, I teach watercolor, mixed media, nature-inspired art, journaling, creative living, and traditional handcrafts. My passion is helping people discover that creativity is not reserved for artists—it is something everyone can enjoy.

I am also beginning a new chapter as an author. My first published educational resource, My Homestead ABC Booklet: Cursive Writing and Learn to Draw, combines cursive handwriting, drawing, and homestead-themed learning. It is the first of many educational resources and children's books currently in development.

Joseph Manifesta

Joseph is our resident sculptor and clay artist.

He has spent years developing his skills using both Monster Clay and polymer clay and has a natural talent for sculpting faces, animals, and the human form. His attention to detail and ability to bring personality into his sculptures continually impresses us.

Joseph also creates original sculptures used in our beeswax candle molds and enjoys helping others learn the fundamentals of clay modeling. He assists with our beginner clay workshops and loves helping students discover confidence through sculpture.

Emma Manifesta

Emma brings creativity, patience, and a love for beautiful craftsmanship to Meadow & Muse.

She teaches our needle felting and terrarium workshops and has developed skills in sewing, fashion design, baking, and creative styling. Emma also plays a major role behind the scenes by assisting with photography, videography, social media content, and event preparation.

Her calm teaching style and attention to detail help make our workshops welcoming and enjoyable for students of all ages.

Leaving a Legacy

One of the greatest blessings of my life has been building this journey alongside my husband and children.

Stephen is a professional pilot, an incredible father, and one of my greatest supporters. Together we have built a life centered around faith, family, learning, and serving others.

As our children grow, it is a joy to watch them develop their own talents and passions while contributing to the work we do here at Manifesta Farms and Meadow & Muse.

Everything we create—from our educational resources and art classes to our handcrafted beehives and future children's books—is part of a larger mission: to inspire families to live creatively, learn continuously, and leave a legacy worth passing on.

Thank you for visiting our little corner of the world. We hope you'll stay awhile, find inspiration, and join us as we continue learning, creating, and growing together.