Garrett and Isabelle Heydt of Solstice Beef Company join Amy Fewell to share how their love of outdoor education, community, and real food grew into a thriving regenerative farm in Central Virginia—and why they eventually had to simplify it.

At their busiest, the Heydts were raising 3,200 broiler chickens, 50 pigs, 200 turkeys, and 40 beef cattle in a single season, all while raising young children. Then a succession of family health emergencies, backlogged orders, and one late-night breaking point forced them to ask a difficult question:

Is the farm working for our family, or are we working for the farm?

Garrett and Isabelle explain why they narrowed their operation to beef, made the painful decision to leave a multigenerational family farm, and began managing cattle across leased land. They also share how they have redefined success around faith, family culture, community, and stewardship rather than endless growth.

Isabelle opens up about her personal experience with rheumatoid arthritis, the elimination diet and lifestyle changes she credits with changing her health, and the connection she sees between healthy soil and a healthy gut. She also introduces Paced Healing and her four-module program, The Sovereign Step, which uses lessons from her Appalachian Trail thru-hike to help people approach major lifestyle changes one step at a time.

In this episode we talk about:

• How Garrett and Isabelle went from climbing and outdoor education to farming
• Starting a farm with broiler chickens on 12 acres
• What happened when they tried to offer every product to every customer
• The family emergency that exposed their breaking point
• Why simplifying did not mean quitting
• Leaving a multigenerational farm without abandoning their agricultural calling
• Raising cattle and regenerating soil on leased land
• The difference between a circle of influence and a circle of concern
• Redefining success for a farm family
• Isabelle’s personal rheumatoid arthritis and elimination-diet journey
• The soil-gut connection and moving away from fear-based wellness
• Why difficult choices can create the greatest opportunities
• Choosing to see God’s plan as an opportunity rather than a burden

Resources Mentioned:

Solstice Beef Company:
https://solsticebeef.com/

Paced Healing:

www.pacedhealing.com⁠

Follow Homesteaders Of America Online:

Instagram ⁠@homesteadersofamerica⁠Facebook ⁠  / homesteadersofamerica⁠  Website ⁠https://homesteadersofamerica.com⁠

Follow Garrett & Isabelle Online:

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/solsticebeefco/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/solsticebeef/

Podcast Sponsors:

Nutrimill: https://nutrimill.com/

AJ Richards is back, and this time he's taking us inside the room with the Secretary of Agriculture. He's not a lobbyist. Nobody's paying him to be there. He's a homesteader from Cody, Wyoming who got invited because he was loud about our failing food system, and he's telling us what's really going on with public land grazing, the regenerative agriculture executive order, and why country of origin labeling isn't as simple as everyone thinks.

AJ lives on seven and a half acres in Cody, Wyoming, but his family's roots go back to 1916, when they homesteaded the Arizona Strip as part of the Bundy Ranchers. He's also the founder of From The Farm, a platform built to connect consumers directly with producers.

Since last fall, he's been part of a small group the Secretary of Agriculture personally invited to Washington to represent Western ranchers who felt unheard. In this episode, he and I get into what's actually moving in DC right now, why some of the loudest online criticism misses the point entirely, and why he believes prayer and discernment matter as much as policy.

What You'll Learn

• Why yelling at the Secretary of Agriculture over country of origin labeling might be aimed at the wrong person entirely
• What a new memorandum of understanding between USDA and the Department of Interior means for ranchers grazing on public land, after decades of losing ground
• The real story of how the regenerative agriculture executive order came together
• Why AJ says “two things can be true at once” about the wins and the compromises coming out of this administration
• What the Direct Act could mean for buying meat straight from a farmer online, even across state lines
• Why taking a government grant, like NRCS fencing money, almost always comes with strings you didn't expect
• How AJ's family history homesteading the Arizona Strip shapes the way he sees today's food fight
• Why “empathy up” matters as much as empathy for the people below you
• What AJ wishes Christians would post instead of tearing down leaders online

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• From The Farm: https://fromthefarm.org/
• HOA 2026 Conference (10th Anniversary, October, Front Royal, Virginia): https://homesteadersofamerica.com

Instagram @a.j_richards

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/abenadi

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheFarmUSA

X @AJRichards

Facebook https://facebook.com/homesteadersofamerica

Website https://homesteadersofamerica.com

You don't need a lifetime of farming experience to build a successful farm.  Dana and Lauren Cavalea share how they went from corporate careers and zero agricultural background to growing a thriving direct-to-consumer meat business on more than 300 acres.  Along the way, they discuss the realities of raising livestock, selling beef, expanding a farm business, and why adaptability, strong marketing, and faith have been just as important as hard work.  If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to start farming from scratch, this conversation will encourage you to boldly take the first step!

In this episode, we cover:

- How two complete beginners unexpectedly became farmers on 130 acres

- Buying their first cattle, pigs, and chickens with no farming experience

- Learning hard lessons about livestock, butchering, and selling their first beef

- Growing from 130 acres to more than 300 through strategic land purchases

- Building a nationwide direct-to-consumer meat business

- Selling beef shares, meat boxes, and working with other local farmers

- The business skills every profitable farmer needs beyond raising livestock

- Beef shares vs. individual meat boxes: the pros and cons of each model

- What it really takes to ship frozen meat across the country

- Using authentic storytelling and social media to grow a loyal customer base

- Why flexibility, continual learning, and adapting have been key to their success

- Following God's leading, embracing new challenges, and encouraging others to simply get started

View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

Thank you to our sponsors!

NutriMill.com | High-quality small kitchen appliance products that function well, are easy to use, and promote healthy eating

NewLightHealth.com | High-quality natural supplements and health products to simplify your wellness and support your family naturally

ShareHealthcare.com | A Christian-based, health-sharing community where members come together to cover medical needs

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Head over to Freedom Farms to see their full lineup of high-quality meat selections and more!

CONNECT

Dana & Lauren Cavalea | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  

Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

America’s food system is changing, and the homesteading movement is playing a bigger role than you may realize.  In this conversation, Pete of Azure Standard shares the inspiring story behind the nationwide organic food company, their mission to strengthen regenerative agriculture and local food systems, and why more families are seeking clean, trustworthy food sources.  We also discuss supply chains, small farms, community resilience, and the growing movement toward rebuilding American agriculture from the ground up.  If you care about food freedom, regenerative farming, and creating a healthier future for the next generation, don’t miss this conversation!

In this episode, we cover:

- How a family health crisis led Azure’s founding family to embrace organic farming decades before it was mainstream

- The surprising story of one small Oregon farm growing into a nationwide food distribution network

- A behind-the-scenes look at Azure’s relationships with hundreds of small farms and family businesses

- How Azure keeps food distribution more resilient through privately owned trucks, warehouses, and logistics

- The challenges rising fuel costs and supply chain instability create for companies delivering food nationwide

- Why Azure is expanding with a major East Coast warehouse and what that means for the future of food access

- Why the homesteading movement is creating new opportunities for small farms, local food systems, and community

- How Azure is working directly with conventional farmers who want healthier soil and more sustainable farming methods

- Encouragement for families who want to be part of rebuilding a healthier, more trustworthy food culture

View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Earthley.com | Clean, natural, and affordable herbal remedies and body care that support health and wellness naturally 

MittySupply.com | Portable milking machines designed for small and medium-sized farms to save you time and simplify your daily routine

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Find an Azure Standard drop near you!

CONNECT

Azure Standard | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest | X 

Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

The family milk cow has been making its comeback… for good reason!  In this episode, Shawn and Beth Dougherty share practical wisdom every beginner needs to hear on choosing the right homestead dairy cow, managing excess milk,, and building a low-input farm that works with nature instead of against it.  We also dive into dual-purpose dairy genetics, the value of multi-generational homesteading, and why home-centered living is about far more than simply producing food.

In this episode, we cover:

- Why the family milk cow has long been considered the heart of every homestead

- Honest questions to ask before bringing home a milk cow for your family

- The reality of managing excess milk and why many new cow owners feel overwhelmed

- Unexpected ways surplus milk can fuel the rest of the homestead instead of going to waste

- What experienced homesteaders are looking for now in practical, low-input dairy genetics

- Why multi-generational and community-centered homesteading makes dairy ownership far more sustainable

- Encouragement to stop overthinking the good work in front of you and simply begin

- The deeper cultural and spiritual restoration happening through home-centered living

View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

Thank you to our sponsors!

KubotaUSA.com | Providing the right equipment to keep us moving, shaping, and growing America's farms, fields, and construction

McMurrayHatchery.com | A wide selection of poultry breeds and supplies to assist you with raising your flock

NewCountryOrganics.com | A trusted source for certified organic, soy-free animal feed and minerals designed to support your entire farm ecosystem

ShareHealthcare.com | A Christian-based, health-sharing community where members come together to cover medical needs

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Grab your copy of Shawn and Beth’s newest book, One-Cow Revolution: Achieving Food Independence with a Grass-Fed Family Cow

CONNECT

Shawn & Beth Dougherty | Website

Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

Hazel shares her story of an unstable childhood, raising six kids (including triplets) on her own, and how those experiences shaped the way she views home and family today.  We talk about why so many people feel pulled toward homesteading right now— not just for land or animals, but for a more hands-on, intentional way of living.  This conversation is a reminder that homesteading is less about having the perfect setup and more about building a life centered around home, faith, family, practical skills, and what matters most to you.

In this episode, we cover:

- Hazel’s story of growing up in instability, leaving home young, and raising six children largely on her own

- How early experiences with gardening, canning, and livestock planted a lifelong love for self-sufficiency

- A homesteading dream that never fully materialized into a farm but is still lived out through everyday skills and mindset

- Why so many feel “something is missing” in modern life and how homesteading speaks to that gap

- The idea that homesteading isn’t just land, but it’s a way of life rooted in purpose and responsibility

- A return to God’s timeless design: family first, meaningful work, skills, and intentional rhythms 

- How the Industrial Revolution shifted families away from the home, pulling fathers off the land and reshaping the family unit

- Encouragement for single moms: stand on faith, know your strengths, build community

- A reminder that purpose, fulfillment, and calling aren’t “out there”, but are often already in your hands

View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

Thank you to our sponsors!

NutriMill.com | High-quality small kitchen appliance products that function well, are easy to use, and promote healthy eating

MittySupply.com | Portable milking machines designed for small and medium-sized farms to save you time and simplify your daily routine

Earthley.com | Clean, natural, and affordable herbal remedies and body care that support health and wellness naturally 

HarvestHousePublishers.com | Trusted, biblically grounded resources and homesteading books to help you navigate real life with real faith

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Become an HOA member for instant access to monthly private live streams with your favorite speakers, an exclusive library of conference videos, ebooks, member-only discounts, and more!

CONNECT

Hazel Nieves | Website | Instagram | Facebook | X

Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

Life as missionaries in the Congo has given Sherrill and her family an up-close look at the faithfulness of God.  In this conversation, we talk about how the gospel weaves itself into Sherrill’s everyday moments: shared meals, long travels, homeschooling, ministering, and more. She shares how the Farming God’s Way curriculum is helping transform not just land, but hearts, as locals learn to release superstition and trust God for provision. From stories of healing and answered prayer to a peek at living in true gospel community, this episode offers a glimpse into a calling that is both stretching and full of abundance!

In this episode, we cover:

• Sherrill shares what daily life looks like as a missionary family with three young sons serving in the Congo

• Their work focuses on discipling local people to carry the gospel into their own communities

• Farming God’s Way curriculum teaches how agriculture and faith are deeply connected, as modeled in the Bible

• Many communities tie farming to spirituality, so learning to turn from witchcraft and trust God with the land is part of discipleship

• Examples of how Scripture speaks to restoration in every area of life, including food production and the fruitfulness of the land

• The beauty of ministry unfolding in everyday moments: traveling, eating together, and visiting remote villages

• How daily life on their team models true gospel community: living in close proximity, sharing meals, prayer, and everyday moments together

• The contrast between American independence and the reliance on God that is required in impoverished communities

• Miraculous stories of people witnessing God’s provision through physical healing, rain, and daily needs being met

• How the team honors leadership structures in the Congo and focuses on reaching local leaders in order to open the door for entire villages to receive the gospel

• A look at raising and homeschooling children within mission life as they integrate family and calling 

• The importance of simple, relational discipleship that multiplies from one person to the next

View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

Thank you to our sponsors!

McMurrayHatchery.com | A wide selection of poultry breeds and supplies to assist you with raising your flock

Nutrimill.com | High-quality small kitchen appliance products that function well, are easy to use, and promote healthy eating

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Learn more about Farming God’s Way and upcoming training events at farming-gods-way.org

Visit Overland Missions to support Sherrill and her family's ministry

CONNECT

Sherrill Kaonga of Overland Missions | Website | Instagram

Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

In this episode, physician and scientist Dr. Robert Malone—known for his early work in mRNA vaccine technology—shares the story behind his journey into homesteading. From early farm work to rebuilding a farm in rural Virginia after significant financial setbacks, he reflects on how life on the land has shaped his perspective. Join us for this episode to hear more about his story, his farm today, and why homesteading remains central to his life even alongside a demanding public career. 

In this episode, we cover:

- Robert shares the story behind his homesteading life: early years working on farms and learning practical skills long before his scientific career

- The financial setbacks that impacted him along the way, including major losses during the Great Recession and the decision to start over again

- Finding their current farm in rural Virginia and slowly rebuilding the property from raw hay land

- What life looked like in the early days: living in a construction trailer with no power or water while restoring old farm buildings

- A look at Robert’s current farm today, including horse breeding, orchards, poultry, and a growing collection of livestock

- Why homesteading remains central to his life despite a demanding public career and frequent travel

- How the farm provides perspective and a mental reset from high-pressure work

- Reflections on the values behind homesteading, stewardship of the land, and building a life with intention

View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

Thank you to our sponsors!

KubotaUSA.com | Providing the right equipment to keep us moving, shaping, and growing America's farms, fields, and construction

Premier1Supplies.com | Your one-stop shop for a variety of homesteading supplies and expert advice

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Explore Dr. Robert Malone’s website

Check out his books:

- PsyWar: Enforcing the New World Order

- Lies My Gov't Told Me: And the Better Future Coming

- Novel Coronavirus: A Practical Guide for Preparation and Protection

Follow his latest work on Substack

CONNECT

Dr. Robert Malone | Website | X | Media 

Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

The homesteading movement is awakening something deeper than a desire for fresh food or self-sufficiency.  In this episode, I sit down with Lucas Mack of Kubota to talk about the spiritual pull drawing people back to the land and back to God.  We explore how working with soil, seed, and stewardship quiets the noise and brings clarity about truth, responsibility, and purpose.  This conversation is a reminder that homesteading is not just a health and lifestyle choice.  It is a return to order, meaning, and building a life according to God’s design.

In this episode, we cover:

- The surprising ways that Kubota’s mission and heart extends far beyond tractors

- How Kubota supports food production, clean water, and land stewardship around the world

- Lucas’s early wake-up call about food security after seeing firsthand how fragile grocery supply chains can be

- How small steps like gardening, foraging, and growing food begin to shift mindset and priorities

- How returning to the land naturally leads people to deeper questions about truth, responsibility, and faith

- Why working with the land forces honesty— things either grow or they don’t, and the reasons matter

- Why modern systems distract us from these questions, while homesteading brings clarity and purpose

- The strong biblical connection between land, stewardship, seed, and human responsibility

- The difference between dirt and living soil, and why healthy soil is central to real regeneration

- A hopeful vision for rebuilding local food systems and stronger communities

- Encouragement to choose life, cultivate hope, and build where God has planted you

View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.

Thank you to our sponsors!

McMurrayHatchery.com | A wide selection of poultry breeds and supplies to assist you with raising your flock

Nutrimill.com | High-quality small kitchen appliance products that function well, are easy to use, and promote healthy eating

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Visit Kubota’s website

Follow Kubota’s instagram

CONNECT

Lucas Mack of Kubota | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | X

Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

Wendy and Karlyn Hartman share how their family turned homestead resources like goat milk, lard, and tallow into effective, traditional skincare products that support true skin health. From simplifying cold-process soapmaking to explaining why animal fats have been trusted for centuries, they break down what actually works and why so many people struggle with modern commercial products. We also dive into Karlyn’s quest to perfect natural deodorant, what makes shelf-stable soap, and the blessing of building a family business centered on growth, unity, and learning through the ups and downs of homestead life!

In this episode, we cover:

- Wendy and Karlyn Hartman’s homesteading journey and how they grew from beginners into educators and business owners- Building a family-run skincare business using resources produced directly on their homestead

- Why traditional animal fats like lard and tallow have been used for centuries in soap and skincareThe key differences between lard, tallow, and modern commercial skincare ingredients

- How goat milk supports skin health, moisture absorption, and barrier repair

- Why many people tolerate animal-based fats better than common plant oils

- A simplified approach to soapmaking that makes it accessible and safe for everyday homesteaders

- What lye is, why it’s necessary, and how it fits into traditional soapmaking

- How cold-process soap cures, how long it lasts, and why it’s shelf-stable

- How Karlyn developed a natural, aluminum-free deodorant after reacting to conventional products

- Encouragement for homesteaders walking through hard seasons and learning through experience

Thank you to our sponsors!

KubotaUSA.com | Providing the right equipment to keep us moving, shaping, and growing America's farms, fields, and construction

Premier1Supplies.com | Your one-stop shop for a variety of homesteading supplies and expert advice

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Purchase Wendy & Karlyn’s book, Soaping Clean with Dairy and Fats from the Homestead

Check out the products mentioned in this episode (and more!) at the Adoratio Farms Online Shop 

CONNECT

Wendy & Karlyn Hartman | Website | Instagram | Instagram

Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE

Watch this episode on YouTube

View full show notes and transcript on the blog