Finding Wholeness - Rooted in Nature, Grown With Intention
We’re Tatyerna Thasunamoorthy and Dylan Collins — and if you’d told me five years ago that I’d be typing this from a farm surrounded by sheep, chickens, and cows, I would’ve laughed out loud. As a big-city girl born and raised in Malaysia, the idea of becoming a farmer one day seemed like something straight out of a movie — not real life. But here we are, and I'm loving every bit of it.
Let me back up for a second.
My name is Tatyerna, and in 2018, I moved from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to St. John's, Newfoundland to pursue my undergraduate business degree. Like many international students, I followed a path of hard work, landed a solid remote job in tech, and found myself in the 9–5 rhythm of corporate life. It paid well, but something just didn’t sit right — I felt unfulfilled, and honestly, disconnected from what I really valued.
Then in 2023, I met my partner, Dylan, while living in Calgary. Dylan was born in South Africa and moved to Canada at just three years old. He grew up on a farm here in Creston, British Columbia, where he watched his parents build a life on their farm ("A Thousand Dreams" Farm). They grew their own fresh produce and raised grass-fed livestock. While he too had ventured into the corporate world, his heart never left the fields. Farming, for Dylan, wasn’t just a dream — it was a way of life he wanted to return to. This is such a full-circle moment for him as we are now farming on his parents’ land.
I’ll be honest — it took some convincing on his part. I didn’t know the first thing about farming (other than what I’d seen in movies). But by December 2024, we took a leap of faith together and went all in — and that leap looked like 30 pregnant sheep arriving on our newly started farming business. Yes, you read that right. My introduction to farming was lambing season, and it happened fast. There was no time to think — only to act, learn, and adapt. And I did. We both did.
Fast forward to today, and we now have:
68 sheep (post-lambing)
54 chicks
2 cows (yes, more farm animals)
And a growing farm we call Canyon Crest Farm — our passion project turned real.
This journey has only been possible with the support of my amazing partner, my family, and his. And today, we want to invite you into the story, too.
Canyon Crest Farm: More Than Just a Farm
At Canyon Crest Farm, we’ve embraced a grounded, wholesome lifestyle centered on sustainability, wellness, and respect for the land. A true reflection of the daily choices wemake to live intentionally and offer something truly nourishing to our community.
We believe wellness be gins with what you eat — and how it’s grown.
Everything we produce includes:
Transparency – Knowing exactly where your food comes from and how it was raised
Simplicity – Spray-free and fertilizer-free
Well-being – Nourish your body with real, nutrient-rich, seasonal food
Our pasture-raised sheep thrive the way nature intended — roaming freely, eating well, and living stress-free lives.
From Burnout to Balance
When I reflect on the shift from corporate life to farming, it wasn’t just a change of job — it was a change of pace, mindset, and values.
Burnout in the tech world crept in quietly. At first, I thought I just needed a longer vacation or a different role. But it wasn’t the work that was draining me — it was the disconnection from the natural, and meaningful life. I was spending my days glued to screens, building things that didn’t align with the kind of life I wanted to lead.
Farming wasn’t the obvious solution. It was terrifying. It meant learning a completely new lifestyle, getting my hands dirty (literally), and starting from the ground up. But in that challenge, I found something I didn’t know I was missing — balance.
There’s something incredibly healing about waking up with the sun, feeding animals that rely on you, working with your hands, and watching life grow right in front of you. It reconnected me with the rhythm of nature, and in doing so, reconnected me with myself.
And I know I’m not alone in this feeling. So many people feel stuck in careers that don’t reflect who they are or what they value. If that’s you — let this be a little nudge. It’s not easy to change direction, but it’s possible. And sometimes, just taking the first small step toward what feels more like you is enough.
We’re still learning, growing, and adapting — every single day. But what we’ve found here at Canyon Crest Farm is more than a career change. It’s a lifestyle rooted in intention, a return to simplicity, and a future we’re building one seed, one lamb, and one season at a time.
About the Author
Tatyerna Thasunamoorthy is the co-founder of Canyon Crest Farm in Creston, BC. Originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tatyerna moved to Canada to pursue her education and career in tech—until burnout led her to seek a life more in tune with her values.
Alongside her partner Dylan Collins, who was raised on the same land they now farm together, Tatyerna transitioned from city living to small-scale regenerative farming. Together, they raise sheep, chickens, and cows, and cultivate fresh, nutrient-rich food for their local community—focusing on sustainability, simplicity, and wellness.
Tatyerna is passionate about creating a life rooted in rhythm, connection, and intention. She shares her journey of growth—from corporate burnout to hands-on farm life—with honesty, gratitude, and a deep respect for the land she now calls home.
