Sarah Mitchell

In the quiet hills of Sequoyah County, former meteorologist Sarah Mitchell is living a life far removed from the stormy skies and radar screens that once filled her days. Having spent 15 years predicting weather for television stations across the country, Mitchell’s career took an unexpected turn when she and her husband, John, decided to settle down in the heart of Oklahoma.

“We were ready for a change,” she says, sitting on the porch of their rustic farmhouse near Muldrow.

“After years of chasing storms and working long hours, we were craving peace and a simpler life.”

Mitchell’s journey into meteorology began when she was a child growing up in Ohio, captivated by severe weather and fascinated by how it all worked. By the time she graduated from college, she was working for her first TV station, where she made a name for herself with her thorough weather reports and calm demeanor.

But despite the excitement of the job, Mitchell’s work often left her feeling disconnected from the things she truly cared about.

“It was hard to be away from home so much, and my work schedule was unpredictable,” she explains. “The news cycle doesn’t stop, and neither does the weather.”

After meeting John in 2019, who shared her passion for the outdoors and living closer to nature, the two decided to leave the hustle and bustle of city life behind. They sold their house in Ohio and moved to Sequoyah County in 2020, where they bought a small piece of property and started a new chapter of their lives.

“Living here, you’re more in tune with the land,” Mitchell reflects. “I was used to forecasting weather for people, but here, I’m experiencing it directly. Watching the seasons change, working with the land—it’s incredibly rewarding.”

While her former career involved forecasting weather from afar, her new life has brought her up close and personal with nature. The couple now grows vegetables and raises animals on their little farm, and Mitchell uses her meteorological knowledge to help her plants thrive.

“I know when to expect rain, when the frost will come, and how to manage the temperature swings,” she says with a smile. “It’s a different kind of forecasting—one where I can see the results of my work every day.”

Even though Mitchell left television behind, she still enjoys talking about the weather. She’s become a trusted resource for local farmers, offering weather insights and advice on how to plan their crops around the seasons.

“A lot of farmers around here have their own methods for predicting the weather, but they’ll still ask me for a second opinion,” she laughs. “It’s nice to know I’m still contributing, even in a small way.”

Her husband shares that Mitchell’s transition from meteorology to farming has been seamless.

“She’s always been so dedicated to what she does, and now she’s just as dedicated to making this farm work,” he says. “It’s impressive to see how she’s taken what she learned in her old career and applied it here. It’s made all the difference.”

As the couple looks ahead to the future, they are content with their decision to leave the fastpaced world of television behind and embrace a life focused on family, nature and community.

“We’ve found our home here,” Mitchell says, watching the sun set over the fields. “It’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t change a thing.”

So, while Mitchell might not be forecasting weather on TV anymore, she is definitely forecasting a lot of good days ahead.

Just Folks is Your TIMES way of honoring the regular people of Sequoyah County, recognizing their unique talents, personalities, jobs, abilities, etc. Your TIMES appreciates the cooperation of each Just Folks and the public’s nominations for this feature. If you know of someone you think might be a good story, contact Amie at 918-775-4433.