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Powered by the 1st American Dairy XPO! November 5th and 6th at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Vermont . Grab a free breakfast, tour the 200 company dairy innovation tradeshow, meet Olympian and dairy producer Elle St. Pierre and take in the Dairy Delivers Classroom.
Full details, discount coupon and pre-XPO tickets at Americandairyxpo.com
This episode runs on @WonderCowColostrum shop.wondercow.com/DAIRYGALVAL or Use code DAIRYGALVAL to save $$
Title: The Power of Community: Jenna Facer on Farming, Family, and Finding Support
Host: Val Lavigne
Guest: Jenna Facer
Book Link:
Takeaways
Episode Summary:
In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode, Val reconnects with returning guest Brittany Thurlow—her very first podcast interviewee—for a powerful full-circle conversation. Brittany shares big updates from her Florida dairy life, including the emotional and practical decision to step away from milking cows. After years of challenges—ranging from hurricanes to industry struggles—her family’s farm has officially transitioned to new ownership, keeping the dairy legacy alive through a buyer from Indiana.
But this story isn’t just about endings—it’s about the unexpected paths life can take. Brittany opens up about raising mini donkeys (yes, you read that right), her bottle-fed brat Millie, and how a Craigslist adventure led to a thriving side business. With 20+ donkeys and plenty of sass, Brittany shares how she’s finding new purpose, joy, and even income beyond the traditional farm model.
Whether you’re in the thick of dairy life or thinking about your next chapter, this episode offers insight, laughs, and a whole lot of honesty.
đź’¬ In This Episode, We Discuss:
Brittany’s evolution from full-time dairy farming to life not on the dairy farm
How her donkeys (especially Millie) unexpectedly stole the internet’s heart
What being a board member really entails and how she advocates for the ag community
Real talk on burnout, balancing motherhood, and giving yourself permission to pivot
Using historical perspective and gratitude to reset your mindset on hard days
The Churchill quote that keeps her grounded: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
🗣️ Listener Challenge:
🎧 Listen, Laugh, and Learn. Then Share!
From the publisher's feed
🎙️ Welcome to the Pull Up a Bale Podcast
Hosted by Val Lavigne | www.pullupabale.com
Pull Up a Bale is where real stories from rural life meet bold, unfiltered conversations about the future of agriculture. Hosted by dairy farmer, homeschooling mom, and agvocate Val Lavigne, this podcast invites farmers, ranchers, educators, and everyday rural changemakers to pull up a bale and share what’s really going on — the challenges, the purpose, the grit, and the heart behind the work.
From legacy and leadership to motherhood, mental health, and the power of storytelling, this show is a seat at the table for voices that often go unheard — and it’s all about building community through conversation.
🎤 Want to be a guest?
Grab your favorite quote and sign up here:
👉 www.dairygalval.com/podcast
đź’¬ Love what you hear?
Please take a moment to leave a review — it helps more voices find this community.
📲 And don’t forget to share an episode with a friend who needs to pull up a bale too!

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