Choosing to Farm: New Generation Stories

"New Mexico in general is very agricultural, especially where we are here in Northern New Mexico. And so mostly unless you're in the city, most communities are acequia-based irrigation. It's a beautiful thing that since living here, I've just become so grateful to have. There's a lot of cultural significance to it in history and these systems are maintained every year or a few times throughout the year by the community. The community gets together and has cleaning days and work days, and everybody comes together and tends it and supports this flow of this beautiful gift of water in the high desert."

Regeneration Ranch Instagram

Acequia irrigation+ systems in New Mexico

Occidental Arts and Ecology Center web site

Grass, Soil, Hope: A Journey Through Carbon Country by Courtney White

Holistic Management International web site

Thanks to On Pasture for their unwavering support for our mission to share resources and stories helping farmers and ranchers be more successful.

More educational and transformational offerings from Jenn Colby

Whole Human web site

Choosing to Farm Patreon link

Leave us a review at Choosing to Farm!

The Choosing to Farm podcast is all about telling origin stories, learning from the journeys, and creating connection among first-and returning-generation livestock farmers and ranchers across the US and the world.  After nearly 30 years working professionally in agriculture as well as being a returning-generation farmer myself, I’m here to share stories, tips and resources to help livestock farmers and ranchersheal our relationship with success.  Want to help? Like, share or review this episode!  Want to help even more? Join our Patreon to support the show…tiers start at just $2!

" I'm so grateful with people that really like our place.  Because you can find a freedom here so nowadays that you are in not [doing] desk work or a job or something. That's harder sometimes. You need someplace to get away. I think that's what people love [about] here. [This is a little bit of a getaway.]"

Capilla Ambar Facebook Page

Thanks to On Pasture for their unwavering support for our mission to share resources and stories helping farmers and ranchers be more successful.

More educational and transformational offerings from Jenn Colby

Whole Human web site

Choosing to Farm Patreon link

Leave us a review at Choosing to Farm!

The Choosing to Farm podcast is all about telling origin stories, learning from the journeys, and creating connection among first-and returning-generation livestock farmers and ranchers across the US and the world.  After nearly 30 years working professionally in agriculture as well as being a returning-generation farmer myself, I’m here to share stories, tips and resources to help livestock farmers and ranchers heal our relationship with success.  Want to help? Like, share or review this episode! Want to help even more? Join our Patreon to support the show…tiers start at just $2!

Nadia Milleron is an independent mother, farmer, attorney, and successful advocate who will fight for you.

In 2019, Nadia’s daughter was a passenger on a Boeing 737 MAX that crashed in Ethiopia killing all on board. After 2 deadly crashes, instead of taking Boeing’s and the FAA’s word that nothing was wrong and a crash would not happen again, Nadia got involved to hold all involved groups accountable.

Nadia went to Washington and helped lead the unanimous passage of the national bi-partisan Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act in 2020 which directed US aircraft and aerospace industry manufacturers to adopt, enforce, and regulate compliance procedures to ensure planes met the proper criteria and specifications before they are commissioned for use.

She didn’t stop there. Nadia then went to Boeing’s home in Illinois and spearheaded the overthrow of a state law thatprotected big corporations over victims. Nadia met with legislators and stakeholders to fix a flawed law that allowed negligent and reckless corporations to get away with murder and not be held responsible.

Nadia has never shied away from standing up for everyday people. She began her career practicing law helping children who were facing neglect and abuse. For 5 years, she took cases from the bench and advocated on the child’s behalf in cases of contested divorces, lack of child support, or crime. She also represented people in the state mental hospital inprobate court proceedings. As a pro bono volunteer attorney, she worked with patients who had been subjected to dehumanizing conditions and a legal system that was violating their rights.

 When Nadia’s son got sick with cancer, their family moved to a farm in Sheffield that would improve his quality of life. That farm turned into a way her family could give back to the community and even teach life lessons to other children and residents. Over the last 25 years, they have raised pigs, chicken, turkey, and lambs, and produced organic grain and dairy. Nadia invites classes, after school programs, and localresidents to come to the farm and learn about growing sustainable food and raising animals. Their farm continues to be a place for families in Western Massachusetts to receive locally grown food and produce.

www.5calls.org

NadiaForCongress website

Thanks to New England Grazing Network for sponsoring this episode under a USDA-Grazing Lands Conservation Initiation grant!

More educational and transformational offerings from Jenn Colby

Whole Human web site

Choosing to Farm Patreon link

Leave us a review at Choosing to Farm!

The Choosing to Farm podcast is all about telling origin stories, learning from the journeys, and creating connection among first-and returning-generation livestock farmers and ranchers across the US and the world.  After nearly 30 years working professionally in agriculture as well as being a returning-generation farmer myself, I’m here to share stories, tips and resources to help livestock farmers and ranchers heal our relationship with success.  Want to help? Like, share or review this episode!  Want to help even more? Join our Patreon to support the show…tiers start at just $1!

NewGrass Farmstead raises registered and commercial Clun Forest and Coopworth sheep, for breeding stock, meat, wool, and pasture improvement. We sell raw milk seasonally, and a variety of meats. Sheepskins, hand-dyed yarns, and lamb, mutton, beef, pork, and chicken are available for pre-order or in our self-serve farmstand. Livestock on the farm include thesheep, working border collies (with the occasional litter of pups available), working draft horses, cattle, pigs, and poultry. Our focus is on renovating our land, producing a diverse array of products for our local community, and engaging in the daily rhythms of land and livestock husbandry.

www.5calls.org

NewGrass Farmstead website

NewGrass Farmstead Facebook

NewGrass Farmstead Instagram

Thanks to New England Grazing Network for sponsoring this episode under a USDA-Grazing Lands Conservation Initiation grant!

More educational and transformational offerings from Jenn Colby

Whole Human web site

Choosing to Farm Patreon link

Leave us a review at Choosing to Farm!

The Choosing to Farm podcast is all about telling origin stories, learning from the journeys, and creating connection among first-and returning-generation livestock farmers and ranchers across the US and the world.  After nearly 30 years working professionally in agriculture as well as being a returning-generation farmer myself, I’m here to share stories, tips and resources to help livestock farmers and ranchers heal our relationship with success.  Want to help? Like, share or review this episode! Want to help even more? Join our Patreon to support the show or even buy me a cup of coffee at the Choosing to Farm web site!

Baylee Rose Drown, is a queer woman farmer, educator and community builder. Baylee believes in good food for all people.

For Baylee, this starts with caring for soil and extends into seeking justice in our land and food system. Sliding scale CSA, working with meal centers and acknowledging colonial land theft (our land is the home of Nehantic people) are all part working of towards an equitable food system.

Baylee was raised on her families' Holstein dairy farm in Michigan.  She earned a Bachelors of Science from Michigan State Universities' College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2009. This is where she first discovered land and animal ethics, which inspired her transition from a conventional farmer to a regenerative farmer.

Baylee picked up the organic farming bug in Vermont, where she worked at Green Mountain College's diversified farm from 2009-2013.  During Baylee's time at Green Mountain she qualified the farm as Animal Welfare Approval and was active in the greater community by serving as a boardmember for the Stone Valley Food Coop. Baylee earned her Masters of Science in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountain College in 2014, as she was incorporating Upper Pond Farm as an LLC and turning the soil in Old Lyme for the first time.

Baylee is a life long learner. Recently she completed courses on Uprooting Racism in the Food System, Holistic Management, Soil Health and Climate Change and Compost Facility Management.

Baylee enjoys mentoring and teaching all ages from mutual aid for fellow farmers, to apprentices, WWOOFers and LymeConsolidated Elementary Students.

Baylee presents on the subjects of grant writing, composting, chemical free pest management and integrating animal and plant food production systems. Baylee uses her small cattle herd to manage and improve grasslands and soils. Cows can save the planet - ask Baylee how!

Baylee loves bringing people together through farmers’ markets hosted at the Long Table, and volunteering withConnecticut Farmland Trust and the Connecticut Compost Alliance.Baylee loves feeding people and being really tired and dirty at the end of a workday. She also loves to teach, hike, fish, make cheese and cook.

www.5calls.org

Long Table Farm website

Long Table Farm Facebook

Long Table Farm Instagram

Long Table Farm YouTube

Long Table Farm Bluesky

Cows Save the Planet by Judith Schwartz

Beaver Land by Leila Philip

Animal Welfare Approved

Holistic Management International

Richard Perkins Youtube

Thanks to New England Grazing Network for sponsoring this episode under a USDA-Grazing Lands Conservation Initiation grant!

More educational and transformational offerings from Jenn Colby

Whole Human web site

Choosing to Farm Patreon link

Leave us a review at Choosing to Farm!

The Choosing to Farm podcast is all about telling origin stories, learning from the journeys, and creating connection among first-and returning-generation livestock farmers and ranchers across the US and the world.  After nearly 30 years working professionally in agriculture as well as being a returning-generation farmer myself, I’m here to share stories, tips and resources to help livestock farmers and ranchers heal our relationship with success.  Want to help? Like, share or review this episode! Want to help even more? Join our Patreon to support the show or even buy me a cup of coffee at the Choosing to Farm web site!

My hope is that these journeys we share cause the person to take that next step. Whether that next step is buying a roll of poly braid and moving your cows twice if that's oh I need to try and do this for grass fed and go direct to consumer. Wherever you are, I'm hoping the journey helps you take that next step. And for that to happen, I can hear the same thing hundreds of times. But for some reason, that hundredth and first time, it's like,  why didn't I think of that?

Cal’s passion for agriculture was ignited at a young age, growing up on his parents' farm where he has fond memories of being surrounded by livestock. Since then, Cal's journey has been deeply rooted in agriculture, from obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science to managing his own livestock.

Driven by his curiosity and commitment to regenerative farming practices, Cal started the Grazing Grass podcast as a way to connect with other like-minded grass farmers and learn from their experiences. His genuine interest in the subject matter and his firsthand knowledge of farming practices make him an engaging and knowledgeable host.

 With a wealth of personal experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of grass farming, Cal brings a unique perspective to the Grazing Grass podcast. His passion for sustainable farming practices shines through in every episode as he facilitates conversations, asks insightful questions, and encourages meaningful discussionswith fellow grass farmers.

Grazing Grass Podcast

Hedge Apple Farm Facebook

ONXHunt//888 app

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan

More educational and transformational offerings fromJenn Colby

Whole Human web site

Choosing to FarmPatreon link

Leave us a review at Choosing to Farm!

The Choosing to Farm podcast is all about telling origin stories, learning from the journeys, and creating connection among first-and returning-generation livestock farmers and ranchers across the US and the world.  After nearly 30 years working professionally in agriculture as well as being a returning-generation farmer myself, I’m here to share stories, tips and resources to help livestock farmers and ranchers heal our relationship with success.  Want to help? Like, share or review this episode! Want to help even more? Join ourPatreon to support the show or even buy me a cup of coffee at the Choosing to Farm web site!

It was in the middle of high school that I really started to carve out an interest for myself in and seek experiences in

Since 2015, Kate has worked on nine dairy farms in five states throughout the Northeast. Fascinated with different dairy farming systems, she has sought experience in an array of production models: conventional, organic, certified grass-fed, dairies shipping to a commodity market, and dairies directly marketing raw milk products. She has also pursued work in food and agribusiness with her most recent off-farm roles being in supply chain and agricultural sciences at General Mills Inc. She tries to bring a ground-level and a survey-level perspective to everything she does.

As the Assistant Manager at Wolfe's Neck Dairy in Freeport, Maine, Kate loves stewarding the land, the herd, and the

Kate Sabino email

Wolfe’s Neck Center website

New England Grazing Network web site

More educational and transformational offerings from Jenn Colby

Choosing to Farm Patreon link

Leave us a review or buy us a coffee at Choosing to Farm!

I remember…doing some chores one day with the pigs and thinking, “I don't need anything other than this.  Everything is whole and complete as I do this work here with these animals. –Carrie

You start with lambing and move through into lactation and then we start processing and so being able to manage the

Carrie & Brent Wasser run a sheep dairy in the Hudson Valley of New York. They produce sheep's milk yogurt and bottled sheep's milk in their on-farm creamery, and raise pastured lamb. They came to farming in their late 30's/early 40s after careers in journalism (Carrie) and food production (Brent). They met each other on a farm in New England, and

Willow Pond Sheep Farm email

Willow Pond Sheep Farm web site

Willow Pond Sheep Farm Instagram

Green Mountain Girls Farm website

Charlotte Smith podcast

Northeast Pasture Consortium web site

More educational and transformational offerings from Jenn Colby

Whole Human web site

Choosing to Farm Patreon link

We might not see the payoff of the things that we're doing here…but the legacy we're leaving for someone to walk

For me, especially having a job for so many years where there were a lot of days when you wake up and you go, “Man, I really don't want to go to work today”… that really doesn't happen anymore. I wake up every day ready to go. We're working, we're doing what we love together. You can't beat this. –Kenny

Berry Brae Farm email

Berry Brae Farm web site

Berry Brae Farm Instagram

Berry Brae Farm Facebook

Northeast Pasture Consortium web site

Sylvanaqua Farms Instagram

Vermont Grass Farmers Association web site

NOFA Vermont web site

More educational and transformational offerings from Jenn Colby

Whole Human web site

Choosing to Farm Patreon link

Leave us a review or buy us a coffee at Choosing to Farm!