United by a Common Desire

You ever had one of those moments where you find your people and everything just clicks? Well, that's exactly what happened when Andrea and I packed our bags this week and headed to Big Sky Country—Billings, Montana—for a farmer and rancher education program.

Now, I've got to tell you, farming can be a mighty lonely business. Some of our fellow farmers live so far out, that their nearest neighbor is an hour's drive away. That's a lot of quality time with the cows! And while our four-legged friends are great listeners, sometimes you need to connect with folks who really understand what it's like to chase this crazy dream of building a better food system.

Picture this: farmers from every corner of the country gathered in one room. We had folks from the humid South (guilty as charged!), the windswept Plains, the rocky Northeast, and everywhere in between. Each of us facing different challenges - from drought and fires out in Wyoming to managing frozen pastures in Minnesota to floods in Missouri - but all united by a common desire to see the independent family farm succeed.

The magic happened during our round-table discussions. One farmer would open up about their biggest victory - like finally creating a succession plan that would keep their farm in the family for generations to come. Then another would vulnerably share their toughest challenge - like having to downsize their herd after losing a crucial land lease. These raw, honest conversations reminded us that while farming throws plenty of curveballs, having a community to lean on makes all the difference.

Andrea and I, alongside our amazing community of farmers from Southern California, the Pacific Northwest, South Dakota, Missouri & Arkansas

During our turn, Andrea and I opened up about our latest adventure: developing a solar-powered, self-moving chicken coop (think robot shepherd meets poultry palace!). We also shared our mix of nerves and excitement about launching our first sheep flock. Thanks to the connections we made in Montana, we're now part of a network of experienced shepherds ready to guide us through this new adventure.

You know what struck me most? The way everyone leaned in to both celebrate and problem-solve together. No judgment, no competition - just pure, genuine support.

It reminded me of why we started Grass Roots in the first place: because building a better food system isn't a solo mission. It takes a village - or in our case, a nationwide community of farmers, processors, and conscientious eaters like you.

Being in that room with so many passionate farmers lifted Andrea and me up in ways I can't quite put into words. It reminded us that while we might be spread across different time zones and ecosystems, we're all part of something bigger. Something transformative.

That's the beauty of this community we're building together. Whether you're a farmer moving cattle to fresh pasture at dawn, a butcher perfecting your craft, or an eater choosing to support regenerative agriculture with your fork - you're part of this movement too.

Your farmer,

Cody

P.S. If you know a rancher or farmer whose business is struggling, reach out to me, and we'll point them to some of the resources that helped Andrea and me over the years.