Starting a farm from the ground up isn’t easy—but it’s possible. In this episode, I pulled together stories from beginning farmers who are doing just that. Some bought back family ground. Others started with just a few acres, raising food for their own families and learning as they went. A few had help, and many didn’t. But every single one had to work through doubts, learn from failure, and find their own way forward. These are the stories of grit, family, long days, and the kind of deep belief it takes to build something that lasts. Whether you’re dreaming of your first 10 acres or trying to prove yourself in a family operation, I hope this episode reminds you—you’re not alone, and your story is worth building. 

Listen to the full interviews: 

Episode #103 Building a Ranch From Scratch: How One Family's Faith and Grit Created Their Legacy  

Laura Hicks 

www.laurahicks.org  

www.instagram.com/laura_a_hicks 

www.facebook.com/laura.hicks.1884  

Episode #77 How Full Time Farming Works for Winding Creek Farms  

Harry Frederick 

https://www.facebook.com/windingcreekfarmsKY 

www.windingcreekfarms.com 

https://www.instagram.com/windingcreekfarms/ 

https://www.tiktok.com/@windingcreekfarms801 

Episode #72 Advice from a First-Generation Farmer on Surviving Trends 

Joseph Blakeslee 

https://www.tiktok.com/@blakesleeacres?_t=8mBoNynbHVy&_r=1 

https://youtube.com/@blakesleeacres?si=ZRrEdeM9xztkVK0A 

https://www.facebook.com/share/KeVHkkjHNae61BUq/?mibextid=qi2Omg 

https://www.facebook.com/share/4AW7ZtymLMnYGcqq/?mibextid=qi2Omg 

Episode #99 Working Full Time While Building Her Farm Dream with Brenna Beard  

Brenna Beard 

https://www.instagram.com/brennabeardfarms/ 

https://www.youtube.com/@brennabeardfarms 

LINKS 

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here! 

Marketing Routine class, do so here! 

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart 

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page. 

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright: 

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture. 

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.  

  ”A topic we talk about on the podcast or have talked about several times is the stories that we tell ourselves and how much they matter and shape our daily lives.” 

In this episode, I share why the Farming on Purpose podcast is shifting for summer and reflect on the stories we tell ourselves in agriculture. Inspired by The Psychology of Money, I explore how tail events—those rare, life-changing moments—shape our future, and why staying in the game matters more than chasing perfect formulas. It's a heartfelt reminder to keep showing up, even when the path feels uncertain. 

Key Topics: 

Why the podcast format is shifting for summer 

The power of the stories we tell ourselves in farm life and business 

Lessons from The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel 

Understanding and responding to "tail events" 

The importance of staying in the game during uncertain times 

Balancing priorities as a mom, entrepreneur, and farmer 

How beliefs and habits shape long-term success in agriculture 

LINKS 

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here! 

Marketing Routine class, do so here! 

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart 

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page. 

Other Episodes You May Enjoy: 

Episode 85: Resiliency: The Secret to Success in Farming and Ranching  

Episode 37: Looking Beyond Your Starting Point with Karoline Rose Bohannan  

Episode 14: Time vs. Money and Opportunity Cost on the Farm 

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright: 

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture. 

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.  

 ”We're not six year olds anymore. We're not children anymore. We're adult children and we're trying to raise our families too and continue a legacy. So there has to be grace on both sides.” 

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I visit with Paige Dulaney, a ranch wife and mom of three from northeast Colorado. We talk about balancing motherhood and ranching, the real-life challenges of farm transition, and raising kids to love the land. Paige shares honest insights about building a life in agriculture, bringing kids along for the work, and why open conversations are key to protecting your family's legacy. 

Key Topics: 

Balancing motherhood, ranch life, and family 

Managing cattle across multiple counties 

Navigating farm transition with family 

Raising kids in agriculture and involving them in daily work 

Importance of early conversations about farm succession 

Building relationships in agriculture and rural communities 

Finding peace with maintaining instead of constant growth 

Hope for the future through connection and renewed interest in agriculture 

You can find Paige on TikTok for more of her story and a behind-the-scenes look at life on the ranch. 

LINKS 

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here! 

Marketing Routine class, do so here! 

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart 

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page. 

Other Episodes You May Enjoy: 

Episode 87: Farm Succession Planning: Securing Your Family's Legacy  

Episode 8: Shifting Seasons in Motherhood and Ranching with Richelle Barrett  

Episode 19: Homesteading Skills with a Farm Family with 14 Hands Ranch  

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright: 

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture. 

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.  

(Insert audio file of the episode (or link to listen on Spotify/Apple Music/etc.) 

 ”We're trying to create awareness to critical issues and food production that are important to consumers.” 

In this episode, I visit with Robby Sansom, CEO of Force of Nature, to explore what regenerative agriculture really means—and why more farmers and ranchers are starting to take a second look. We talk about his journey from corporate life to raising bison, how regenerative practices work in real life, and what shifting toward soil health and lower input systems can look like. Whether you're all-in or just curious, this is a conversation worth hearing. 

Key Topics: 

Robby’s personal story and how Force of Nature got started 

What regenerative ag actually looks like in practice 

The real challenges farmers face—and why it’s not about blame 

How improving soil health can reduce risk and build long-term resilience 

Practical steps for producers who want to explore regenerative approaches 

Helping consumers understand the food system without needing a science degree 

To connect with Robby or learn more about Force of Nature, check out their website, Instagram, and Twitter.  

LINKS 

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here! 

Marketing Routine class, do so here! 

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart 

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page. 

Other Episodes You May Enjoy: 

Episode 111: Building a Business That Works for Your Family and Your Farm  

Episode 101: From Conventional to Regenerative: One Family's Journey to Building a Sustainable Farm  

Episode 93: Finding Your Path to Homesteading: Lessons from Ryan Mitchell's Journey  

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright: 

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture. 

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.  

 “  I think the biggest thing is just starting that conversation and thinking about it and like coming up with a plan that works for you and your family, and that's gonna look different for everybody based on how old your kids are, how much you trust your kids.” 

When ER nurse and farm wife Katie Hammock started seeing farm injuries too often in the trauma center, she knew more could be done. In this episode, Katie shares practical tools and life-saving tips every farm family should know—plus how to prepare for emergencies, talk to your kids about safety, and handle the emotional aftermath of farm accidents. It’s a must-listen for anyone raising a family and running a farm. 

Key Topics: 

Common farm injuries and how to prevent them 

Life-saving tools every farm should have (tourniquets, gauze, CPR shields, etc.) 

How to respond in the first moments after a serious accident 

Emergency planning when kids are with you 

Teaching kids about farm safety without causing fear 

Mental health after a farm injury—for both the injured and their families 

How to direct emergency responders to rural fields or pastures 

You can find the safety kits Katie talked about at www.thedairywife.com, and you can follow her on Instagram @thedairywife for more tips and insight.  

LINKS 

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here! 

Marketing Routine class, do so here! 

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart 

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page. 

Other Episodes You May Enjoy: 

Episode 98: From City Life to Farm Life: How Jessica Lewis Built Back to Roots Farm 

Episode 60: Building Great Relationships with Your Rural Veterinarian   

Episode 62: Your Life's Bingo Card and Flower Farming with Liz Fiedler of Sunny Mary Meadow Farms 

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright: 

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture. 

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.  

” Every little boy wants to be a cowboy when he grows up and so I think that's kind of kinda where it started.”  

First-generation rancher Zak Copeland shares how he built a goat grazing and cattle business from the ground up with no family background in ag. From hatching chicks in a basement to running 120 goats for targeted grazing jobs, Zak’s story is all about grit, creative income streams, and chasing freedom. He talks mentorship, land access, building community, and how he's making a ranching dream work one step at a time. 

Key Topics: 

Starting a ranch from scratch as a first-generation producer 

Building a goat grazing business for land management 

Using goats to create steady income and support cattle goals 

Creative side hustles to fund the ranching dream 

The value of mentorship and community in ag 

Finding and accessing land through relationships 

Balancing risk, freedom, and family in rural entrepreneurship 

If you want to follow along with Zak, you can find him on TikTok for The Copelands Farm or check out Idaho Goat Grazers on Facebook. 

LINKS 

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here! 

Marketing Routine class, do so here! 

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart 

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page. 

Other Episodes You May Enjoy: 

Episode 111: Building a Business That Works for Your Family and Your Farm 

Episode 77: How Full Time Farming Works for Winding Creek Farms   

Episode 72: Advice from a First-Generation Farmer on Surviving Trends 

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright: 

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture. 

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.  

” Just having the confidence and the know-how that, like if something were to happen like 2020 did we'd be good for a while. And I want other people to feel that way too.”  

Homesteader and homeschooling mom Emmaline Newton shares how her family transformed three wooded acres into a thriving homestead. From raising their own meat to growing a garden that feeds six, Emmaline dives into what it really takes to build a life rooted in hard work, healing, and purpose. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, this episode is full of encouragement, real talk, and a whole lot of heart. 

Key Topics: 

Starting a homestead with little experience or land. 

Raising meat animals (beef, pork, poultry) on three acres. 

Gardening and food preservation for a family of six. 

Involving kids in chores, homeschooling, and entrepreneurship. 

Building confidence and healing through homesteading. 

Using what you have: low-cost tools, DIY setups, and creative solutions. 

Expanding into dairy goats, cut flowers, and community education. 

If you want to follow along with Emmaline and her family, you can find her at Whispering Winds Homestead on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. 

LINKS 

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here! 

Marketing Routine class, do so here! 

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart 

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page. 

Other Episodes You May Enjoy: 

Episode 98: From City Life to Farm Life: How Jessica Lewis Built Back to Roots Farm 

Episode 93: Finding Your Path to Homesteading: Lessons from Ryan Mitchell's Journey   

Episode 16: Building a Homestead with Terra Larsen of Everest Acres 

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright: 

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture. 

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.  

 ” No matter what, if you don't care for your animal, no matter what size of farm, if you don't care for it, it's not gonna produce milk. And if they don't produce milk, then we're out of a job.”  

Farming is in yo  

In this episode, I talk with Madi Skubal, a fourth-generation dairy farmer in Iowa, about raising kids and cows, returning to her roots, and building a raw milk business with her husband. From early mornings to big life decisions, Madi shares how she's blending family, tradition, and a new vision for the future of farming—one that’s rooted in connection, trust, and doing things the right way. 

Key Topics: 

Returning to the family farm and choosing a rural life. 

Raising young children while working on a dairy. 

Adapting the farm to stay current and safe. 

Making big decisions about the future of the farm and family. 

Launching a raw milk business under Iowa’s new law. 

Educating consumers and sharing the real story of dairy farming. 

Balancing tradition with innovation in agriculture. 

To connect with Madi visit Hilltop Dairy Inc. Facebook and Instagram.  

LINKS 

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here! 

Marketing Routine class, do so here! 

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart 

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page. 

Other Episodes You May Enjoy: 

Episode 92: Balancing Family, Farm, and Future in Southern Minnesota  

Episode 43: Returning to & Growing on the Ranch with Kristin Harms  

Episode 65: The Power of Small Farms and Slow Growth with Lane’s End Farm Creamery 

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright: 

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture. 

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.  

”I feel like it's my chance to tell my story because if I don't tell it, Netflix and Amazon and somebody else is gonna tell it for me. So it's my chance to tell the truth about how we do things here.”  

On this episode of Farming on Purpose, Taylor Moyer shares his journey from NASCAR to full-time ranching, proving that creativity and adaptability are key to making a farm thrive. From cattle sales and custom grazing to agritourism, he’s found multiple ways to sustain his operation. Through Land Trust, he offers farm tours and photography sessions, turning his land into an asset beyond production agriculture. His story is a reminder that farming success looks different for everyone. 

Key Topics: 

Taylor’s journey from NASCAR back to farming. 

Balancing tradition with new revenue streams. 

Backgrounding, custom grazing, and flexible herd management. 

Photography sessions, farm tours, and working with Land Trust. 

Addressing liability concerns and the stigma around non-traditional farm income. 

Educating visitors and fostering appreciation for farm life. 

Balancing business growth with personal goals. 

To connect with Taylor visit his website and Instagram. Or learn more about and view listings on Land Trust.  

LINKS 

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here! 

Marketing Routine class, do so here! 

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart 

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page. 

Other Episodes You May Enjoy: 

Episode 109: Building a Future on the Farm: How One Rancher Found Her Own Path Home 

Episode 45: Diversifying the Ranch with Jess at Perigo Hay and Cattle  

Episode 73: Income Streams, Marketing Beef, and Taking the Leap with Rancher Jess 

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright: 

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture. 

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.  

 ”  That's why I always say things don't happen to you. They happen for you.” 

Erica Leubner grew up on a dairy farm, witnessing both the challenges and rewards of multi-generational agriculture. Now a farm business consultant, she helps families navigate farm transitions, communication struggles, and mental health challenges. In this episode, she shares insights on strengthening farm marriages, managing stress, and preparing the next generation for success. Her story is a powerful reminder that farming isn’t just about business—it’s about family. 

Key Topics: 

Navigating farm transitions and intergenerational planning to ensure long-term success. 

Balancing marriage, family, and farm life, especially when one spouse didn’t grow up in agriculture. 

Managing stress and mental health in farming, including post-event burnout and communication challenges. 

Preparing the next generation by involving kids early and creating opportunities for leadership. 

Breaking the stigma around seeking help and fostering stronger relationships in farm families. 

To connect with Erica, you can find her onTikTok or email her at [email protected]. 

LINKS 

Join the waitlist for our premier class here! 

Marketing Routine class, do so here! 

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart 

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page. 

Other Episodes You May Enjoy: 

Episode 56: Finding Fulfillment on the Farm through Understanding Your Identity 

Episode 17: Mental Health is Not a Dirty Word in Agriculture with Jason Medows  

Episode 6: A Look at Identity and Communication on the Family Farm with 6th-Generation Nebraska Farmer Hannah Borg 

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright: 

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture. 

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.