Starting Over

Have you ever reached that point where you question everything you've built? That's exactly where Andrea and I found ourselves in 2023 – smack in the middle of what I can only describe as a full-blown mid-life farming crisis.

After nearly two decades of early mornings, calloused hands, and battling everything Mother Nature could throw at us, we hit a crossroads. The kind that makes you stare at the ceiling fan at 2 AM wondering if you've been on the right path all along.

We seriously considered hanging up our muck boots. The conversations got real: maybe we should focus less on our own farm and more on helping other farmers succeed. We even researched other communities, thinking a complete change of scenery might reignite that spark.

It's humbling to admit, but those "For Sale" websites got quite a few visits from our IP address throughout 2023. We were that close to making a dramatic change.

Then something unexpected happened – the farm bordering our property put up a "For Sale" sign. It felt like the universe presenting us with an unexpected opportunity: rediscover your purpose or find a new one.

A glimpse of our farm in the Ozark Mountains, with cattle grazing below and chicken schooners on the hill, ready to shelter our flocks under the open sky.

Taking on more debt at this stage of our farming journey wasn't a decision we made lightly. The banker probably thought we'd lost our minds when we shared our plans. But sometimes the biggest leaps of faith lead to the most rewarding landings. We signed those loan papers with shaky hands but steady hearts, believing that rebuilding soil and rural communities is worth betting the farm on – literally.

So in early 2024, we took the leap and bought the neighboring farm. Instead of diving right into livestock, we spent last year sprucing up the old “farmhouse” – which, fun fact, was actually a local butcher shop about 40 years ago. Talk about coming full circle!

But one of the best parts of this new chapter? We've welcomed two aspiring farmers, Chuck and Claire, who moved all the way from Michigan to join our operation. They've settled into the renovated farmhouse and are diving headfirst into regenerative agriculture. It's our small contribution to reversing the rural brain drain that's hollowed out so many farming communities.

Meet Chuck and Claire, newly transplanted Michigan farmers who are diving into the world of regenerative agriculture. With passion, dedication, and plenty of hard work, they're learning the ways of farming that restore the land and nurture their livestock while building a sustainable farming future.

Now, as spring 2025 unfolds, we're finally ready for the exciting part – running livestock on this new land for the first time. But this isn't just about expanding; it's about reinvigorating our approach. This new property gives us a blank canvas to experiment, innovate, and rethink practices we've used for years. Sometimes the best way to improve is to start fresh and ask yourself: "What if we tried it differently this time?"

And who better to lead this experimental charge than our feathered innovators? Our pastured chickens will be the advance team! These feathered miracle workers, the ultimate soil doctors, will be deployed in a fleet of solar-powered, self-moving chicken pens – our newest innovation that takes both animal welfare and human labor to the next level.

Our first herd of young heifer calves has officially arrived on the farm this week! They're settling in, enjoying the fresh spring air, and exploring the pastures as they acclimate to life here in the Ozarks.

The chickens are just the opening act in our soil restoration show. They'll be followed by young heifer calves later this spring and our first flock of lambs in August. Each species brings something unique – from the chickens' nitrogen-rich deposits to the heifers tackling taller plants while lambs selectively nibble what cattle avoid. It's our dream team of complementary soil doctors, each one bringing their special skills to heal our land!

When we first started farming, we were greenhorns with more enthusiasm than experience. We built our operation from nothing – no family land, just determination and a belief that farming could be done differently.

Now we're applying everything we've learned to this second chance. Our regenerative practices that worked so well on our original property will get their second proving ground, this time with the added benefit of mentoring Chuck and Claire along the way.

Meet our newest herd of heifers as they settle into life on the farm! As they graze each day, they're not just enjoying the pasture—they're playing a vital role in naturally regenerating our land and building healthier soil.

This expansion isn't just about more acreage – it's about creating opportunities in our rural community. More birds means more jobs, more training for aspiring farmers, and more proof that regenerative agriculture can breathe new life into forgotten corners of America.

Sometimes you have to almost walk away from something to remember why you started in the first place. Our farming crisis led to clarity – and now, a chance to begin again with all the wisdom of our mistakes and successes.  Best of all, we'll be able to get more good meat into the hands of folks like you who understand that how food is raised matters.

Your farmer (teaching old chickens new tricks on new land),

Cody