Episodes
![Getting Started with Stockdogs](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/13902590/The_Farming_on_Purpose_Podcast_Cover_qyqwad_300x300.png)
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
Getting Started with Stockdogs
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
“It’s a lot easier to start a dog with a clean slate than erase a bunch of bad habits.”
Join us in this stimulating episode of Farming on Purpose and get up and close with Randall Walker, a renowned stock dog expert from Satus Stockdogs. Taking us through his fascinating journey of employing dogs in rotational grazing, Randall presents an eye-opening narrative on how stock dogs can significantly enhance farming efficiency. Perfectly tailored for those considering incorporating stock dogs into their operations, this podcast is loaded with critical analogues and recommendations. Listen in as we delve deep into the world of stock handling with dogs, the significance of breed-specific traits like fetching in Border Collies, and more.
About our guest: Randal Walker, Satus Stockdogs - Washington
Randal is a 3rd generation rancher and the dogs are a big part of that. He also raises registered Dorper sheep. Without dogs Randal would never dream of owning and raising sheep. Randal started trialing in 2012.
You can connect with Randal on his website and Facebook.
At a glance:
Trying out different dog breeds to work cattle.
How to find a working dog for you.
What to look for when buying a working dog, especially if you’re a first time stockdog owner.
Resources to help learn more about stockdogs.
You may also enjoy…
#18 Kansas Hop Farming and Entrepreneurship with The Tipsy Farmer
#49 Growing a 100 year old Meat Market in Rural Kansas
#58 Expanding a Peach & Apple Farm in the Midwest with South Baldwin 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.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
![From Off-Farm Income Podcast: Episode 1912: A Million Open Doors | Lexi Wright | The Farming On Purpose Podcast](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/13902590/The_Farming_on_Purpose_Podcast_Cover_qyqwad_300x300.png)
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
“I wish there were more opportunities for people to see the day-to-day of it, not just the ‘you want to teach about agriculture, you must want to be a teacher’. There’s other options to do that, especially now that I’ve gotten into the world of entrepreneurship…”
This week we are mixing things up a bit! I had the pleasure of being on the Off-Farm Income podcast hosted by Matt Brechwald back in December. We had such a great conversation about many different topics and I wanted to highlight that episode and share it! We talked about my FFA journey and the many benefits the FFA program gives to high school students as well as the unsung heroes, Ag teachers and FFA advisors. I shared about starting my marketing business and my podcast, Farming On Purpose.
Check out my episode here or the Off-Farm Income website for more podcast episodes!
You may also enjoy…
#5 Tips for Managing your Mindset as a Young Producer
#44 Our Farm Transition Story Part 1
#57 Living Your Authentic Ag Journey with Matt Brechwald of Off-Farm Income
![Market Shifts in Direct-to-Consumer Marketing in the Beef Industry with Linnea Langusch](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/13902590/The_Farming_on_Purpose_Podcast_Cover_qyqwad_300x300.png)
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
“Video is such a powerful tool when it comes to communicating about agriculture with consumers because it’s not a big Hollywood production that’s getting edited. It’s just somebody in their field talking about their cattle. It’s just real and authentic.”
In this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down with Linnea Langusch. Linnea dives into her research she performed while working on her Master’s degree. Linnea shares how COVID-19 made her shift her research and how it affected the beef industry. She then explains what obstacles the beef industry faced during the peak times of COVID-19 and how many farmers and ranchers had to rely on direct-to-consumer marketing.
About our guest: Linnea Langusch - Oklahoma
Linnea is a Wisconsin native living in Oklahoma. She recently graduated from Oklahoma State University where she obtained her Master’s degree in Ag Communications and researched direct to consumer marketing in the beef industry while there. Linnea has a strong passion for agriculture and loves to promote all things agriculture!
If you are interested in connecting with Linnea, check out her Instagram. If you would like to read Linnea’s study, check out her article.
At a glance:
How COVID-19 shaped Linnea’s research while obtaining her Master’s degree.
Direct to consumer marketing in the beef industry.
Difference in rural and urban consumers have on direct-to-consumer businesses and marketing.
How marketing can help empower people with their food and increase food accessibility.
You may also enjoy…
#23 Our Food Supply Chain and the Farm to Fork Gap of Food Accessibility
#25 Our Food Decision Impacts on Food Insecurity
#39 Making Rural Food Decisions - Trends, Stress, Change, Nutrition, and Dietary Guidelines with Dr. Bailee Cooper
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. I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok.
![Diversifying Your Cattle Income for Operation Growth with Neilson Beef](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/13902590/The_Farming_on_Purpose_Podcast_Cover_qyqwad_300x300.png)
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Diversifying Your Cattle Income for Operation Growth with Neilson Beef
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
“Stuff that we don’t necessarily think is unique actually is unique. Our lifestyle is unique. There’s not a big percentage of us doing this in the world.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Lance Neilson. Lance owns and operates a cow/calf business and he shared how he and his wife started growing their herd shortly after they graduated college and got married. Having both grown up in agriculture, they knew they wanted to raise their children in the lifestyle as well. Lance dove into some of the things he does to diversify his operation so that it is always evolving and growing. Lance also talked about getting into research projects and female cattle fertility that he does.
About our guest: Lance Neilson, Neilson Signature Beef - Alberta, Canada
Lance, his wife Karyn, and their 4 kids, Anika, Reid, Jenna, and Blake, ranch in east central Alberta. A diversified cow/calf operation that includes direct to consumer branded beef, bred heifers, and embryo implanting with bred recips sales. Lance also engages in research projects with local Ag colleges and other groups on projects primarily around breeding female fertility, longevity, as well as weight gain, and health in calves.
You can connect with Lance on his website, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
At a glance:
Lance and his wife started building their cattle operation right after they graduated from college and got married.
Diversifying the operation by having different outlets for their beef.
Lance’s facility, equipment, and operation.
You may also enjoy…
#31 Expanding Local Food Businesses and Food Education with Bruce's Bullseye Farms
#51 Looking ahead at Ag Finance with a 4th Gen Farmer and Ag Lender
#53 Ranching with an Eye on Financial Feasibility
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.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
![A Legacy of Direct to Consumer Beef with Callison Ranch](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/13902590/The_Farming_on_Purpose_Podcast_Cover_qyqwad_300x300.png)
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
A Legacy of Direct to Consumer Beef with Callison Ranch
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
“Sometimes when things feel like it’s the worst day, it may turn out to be one of the best experiences in your interest.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Nikki Callison of Callison Ranch. Nikki shared about how she got back into agriculture after being a teacher for ten years. Nikki and her husband, Roger started their direct to consumer beef operation and Nikki talked about her family history in the selling of beef business. Nikki also shared her experience raising three kids on the ranch and noted some of the lasting memories she has. Nikki explained the importance of marketing, not just for her business, but for agriculture as a whole. She likes using Instagram to educate people on agriculture and show some behind the scenes stuff to help people see where their food comes from and just how important agriculture is.
About our guest: Nikki Callison, Callison Ranch- Oklahoma
Nikki Callison and her family have raised beef cattle for generations. Nikki and her four brothers grew up helping their parents on their ranch, caring for cattle and horses. Nikki taught school for 10 years before realizing she missed the ranch and promptly moved back to Oklahoma and met her husband, Roger. They bought a home and acreage and adopted their three children.
Since then they have raised their kids on the ranch and jumped into selling and shipping beef direct to consumers.
You can connect with Nikki on their website and Instagram.
At a glance:
Getting started from scratch in Oklahoma and sharing the journey on Instagram.
Raising kids on the farm and the benefits of the lifestyle.
Promoting and marketing beef as a direct to consumer beef operation.
You may also enjoy…
#21 Systems for Managing Life & Work on the Farm with Natalie Egger
#40 How I Found Family Centered Off Farm Income
#52 Growing a First Generation Operation with Millennial Rancher Calli Williams
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.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
![The Power of Small Farms and Slow Growth with Lane's End Farm Creamery](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/13902590/The_Farming_on_Purpose_Podcast_Cover_qyqwad_300x300.png)
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
The Power of Small Farms and Slow Growth with Lane's End Farm Creamery
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
“One of our favorite quotes of all time is, ‘The answer to America’s food problem is not one or two big answers, it’s many small answers.’ And we couldn’t agree more.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Jesse and Lisa Vivian. Jesse and Lisa shared how they started Lane’s End Farm + Creamery. The original plan for the creamery was to make cheese but then Covid hit and like many others their plans had to adapt to the new demand of their community. Once their community got a taste of their milk, they had a huge demand to keep it flowing. Jesse explains how complex it is to have dairy cows and touches on some of the planning that goes into keeping milk production at a consistent level. Jesse and Lisa don’t want to keep their business model a secret, so if it is something you’re interested in, check out their course! Also be sure to check out their Instagram to see some of the creamery’s products!
About our guest: Jesse and Lisa Vivian, Lane’s End Farm + Creamery - Pennsylvania
Jesse and Lisa are high school sweethearts turned Microdairy farmers! Along with their three kids, they live on a 20 acre farm milking 10 cows once a day, and sell all their milk locally.
You can connect with Lane’s End Farm + Creamery on their website and Instagram.
At a glance:
How they started the creamery.
Covid changed their cheese making plan.
The planning that goes into milking cows.
The expansion of the creamery’s products.
You may also enjoy…
#12 Beginning Farming and Resetting Your Farm Practices with DL Lautenbach
#50 Building Your Dream on God's Time Through Daily Dedication
#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.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
![From Homesteading to Backgrounding Beef and Meat Business Expansion](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/13902590/The_Farming_on_Purpose_Podcast_Cover_qyqwad_300x300.png)
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
From Homesteading to Backgrounding Beef and Meat Business Expansion
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
“It’s not something that happens overnight, it’s a gradual transition. We started making our own bars of soap, I started making my own tallow, I started doing all these little things gradually that are creating a more holistic home, but it definitely takes time and you appreciate everything you have a whole lot more.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking to Kerissa Payne of Covey Rise Farms. Kerissa shared about her journey building her farm operation with her husband in Ohio and then moving their operation to Kansas. As you can imagine, that process did not come without a few bumps in the road, but Kerissa and her family have settled into their new home and are working on expanding their business. Kerissa also delved into how she started making things from scratch and how going without some things, like their dryer, doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
About our guest: Kerissa Payne, Covey Rise Farms - Kansas
Kerissa grew up in a small rural town in Southern, Ohio. Where she came from farming was a hobby, not a fulltime job. Kerissa wanted to understand the connection between the soil and the food she ate everyday. She began to question ingredients and started searching for a middle ground between healthy and affordability.
Charlie and Kerissa met in April 2018. They quickly became a team and by May they started making farming decisions together. Starting a farmer's market in Westerville and doing farm chores together. Right before they met, Charlie decided to purchase 54 acres of ground after being approached with an only possible by God land opportunity. That winter their dreams of selling direct to consumer grew and so did our aspirations for our future. The 54 acres were blank dirt that had nothing but soil and potential, so it needed lots of money and time to get it functional. A few years later, land prices around them soared and the reality sank in that they wouldn't be able to buy more land in the area. So they went back to the table to brainstorm ideas for their business.
Kerissa and Charlie began looking at farms in Kansas. They knew they needed more land, and Ohio wasn't going to provide it. Kansas not only had great land, but it offered connections to agriculture. Not growing up in agriculture, knowledge was something they really wanted to expand. Charlie went to college with a guy who was looking to expand his grain operation but needed help in a small town in western Kansas. So they began to explore partnership opportunities where they each could grow their own businesses, and Charlie and Kerissa could expand their meat business. In the summer of 2023, Kerissa and Charlie sold everything they owned, and moved to Kansas. Their business in Kansas looks a little different. They are still raising and selling meat directly to consumers, but they have also added some custom feeding for other farmers, and hopefully here soon row crops. Being a beginning farmer means you need income diversification; you can't rely on one single revenue source to support your family.
You can connect with Kerissa on her website or her Instagram.
At a glance:
Moving their farm operation from Ohio to Kansas.
Making things from scratch and making do without.
Backgrounding cattle.
Why Kerissa and her family left Ohio.
You may also enjoy…
#10 When You Have to Wait to Expand the Farm
#16 Building a Homestead with Terra Larsen of Everest Acres
#44 Our Farm Transition Story Part 1
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.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
![Processing the Good and the Hard of Farm Life & Motherhood](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/13902590/The_Farming_on_Purpose_Podcast_Cover_qyqwad_300x300.png)
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Processing the Good and the Hard of Farm Life & Motherhood
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
“What you feel like in the moments when it is a hard season is real and even in your mind you know in a few years it’s going to be easier but that’s a few years away. I feel like I try to let myself feel those feelings and for me, writing is how I process a lot of that and remembering that it’s ok to feel hard but just know it’s not going to last forever.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking to Stacy Bronec. While not having an ag background, Stacy has taken to farm life and raising a family on the farm. Stacy shared about what she loves about farm life and some of the struggles she has encountered, like loneliness as a mother and farm wife. Stacy uses writing as an outlet, a way to process aspects of life, and to find community. Be sure to check out some of her essays and listen to the end of the episode to hear about Stacy’s wild third birth story!
About our guest: Stacy Bronec - Minnesota
Stacy Bronec is a freelance writer who lives in rural Montana with her husband and their three kids on their family farm and ranch. Years ago, she dreamt of big city life, but then she fell in love with a farmer and moved to the middle of nowhere. Now, she uses stories to make sense of the beauty and challenges of rural life. She writes for a local magazine and her personal essays have appeared in various publications online.
You can connect with Stacy on her website or Substack, where she writes a monthly newsletter.
At a glance:
Non-ag background to farm life in the middle of nowhere.
Roles on the farm and the loneliness that can come with farm life and motherhood.
Writing as an outlet and a way to process things.
Stacy’s off-script birth story.
You may also enjoy…
#8 Shifting Seasons in Motherhood and Ranching with Richelle Barrett
#28 Behind the Scenes of Ranch Mom Life & Ag Homeschooling with Lindsey Huseman
#56 Finding Fulfillment on the Farm through Understanding Your Identity
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. I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok.
![Your Life's Bingo Card and Flower Farming with Liz Fiedler of Sunny Mary Meadow Farms](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/13902590/The_Farming_on_Purpose_Podcast_Cover_qyqwad_300x300.png)
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
“The mindset of I do belong here. I belong here. Never underestimate your roots and where you came from and just try to find your place.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Liz Fiedler of Sunny Mary Meadow Farms. Liz shared how her flower farm got started as a farm stand and the many different ag operations were run on her late husband’s family farm. Liz also opened up with us about losing her husband unexpectedly and her grief journey so far. Liz is more than just a flower farmer and business owner, Liz is also a nurse practitioner and she noted how the two have some commonalities. One other hat that Liz wears is a coach for other people wanting to start their own flower farms or operations. She has learned a lot in her journey to get where she is and wants to help others by sharing her knowledge and experiences.
About our guest: Liz Fielder, Sunny Mary Meadow Farms - Minnesota
Liz Fiedler owns Sunny Mary Meadow Flower Farm, a business she started from scratch with a little 20'x30' garden and a farm stand and turned into a multiple 6 figure revenue business selling directly to consumers in 4 seasons.
After the unexpected death of her husband in 2020 (heart attack while running) she was left with a "hobby" farm and realized just how expensive (and much work) it was going to be to keep living there. So she knew she needed to make it her own and find a way for it to support her family because the last thing she wanted to do was sell it.
Liz now hosts the Sunny Mary Meadow Podcast, with over 50K downloads in the first 9 months that has led to a sister business, Sunny Mary Meadow Coaching, where she offers tips and insider knowledge on starting and successfully running a profitable business like hers from your farm. She offers lots of free information and webinars, small mini-courses, and a comprehensive course to help shave a few years off of "trial and error" growth in your business.
If you’re interested in connecting with Liz, check out her website, coaching website, Instagram, and coaching Instagram.
At a glance:
Farmstand to a flourishing flower farm.
The many hats the farm has worn over the years and how Liz was able to repurpose aspects to fit her current need.
Being a nurse practitioner and a flower farmer.
You may also enjoy…
#26 Point Where You Aim with Ashley Jackson
#37 Looking Beyond Your Starting Point with Karoline Rose Bohannan
#58 Expanding a Peach & Apple Farm in the Midwest with South Baldwin 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.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
![Strategies to Calm the Chaos and Balance "It All"](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/13902590/The_Farming_on_Purpose_Podcast_Cover_qyqwad_300x300.png)
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Strategies to Calm the Chaos and Balance "It All"
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
“Recognizing the season and what actually is important in that season, I think, is the most important thing you can do.”
In this episode, I wanted to talk about a topic that many followers have asked me about, time management and how to manage all the irons in the fire as a wife, mother, farmer, and business owner. Sometimes it is hard to adjust your expectations to the season you are in, but once you do and set realistic, achievable goals, it will help you stay on track. I use tools like Google calendar to help me with time management. I have adopted the philosophy that there’s a home for everything in your home, business, and even digital material. That has really helped me stay organized and be more productive. An important tip I talk about is finding support systems to help guide you and achieve your goals, as well as support you on your journey!
At a glance:
There’s a season for everything.
Time management is important for any season of life.
Make everything have a home.
Find your support systems.
Decision fatigue in agriculture.
You may also enjoy…
#12 Beginning Farming and Resetting Your Farm Practices with DL Lautenbach
#32 Shifting Perspectives with Michaela Gasseling
#44 Our Farm Transition Story Part 1
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.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.