Farming on Purpose

Episode #138: Why the Farms That Survive Control Their Own Brand  “We just want a seat back at the table.”  In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I’m kicking off a new season with an honest look at where our farm is three years after moving here — what worked this year, what didn’t, and why I think the gap between where we are and where we thought we would be matters.  Over the last year, we’ve experimented with new pieces of our operation, including growing our own feed, expanding our goat herd, going through our first kidding season, and purchasing feeder steers. Some of those decisions created new opportunities. Others cost us money and taught us lessons we probably could not have learned any other way.  But this episode is about more than our farm. It’s about the bigger question of how farmers and ranchers create more control inside an industry where so much is determined by markets, processors, buyers, input suppliers, and systems outside the farm gate.  I talk about what I mean when I say producers need to “control their brand” — and why that has very little to do with logos or marketing aesthetics. It’s about building trust in your name, creating stronger relationships, understanding where you have leverage, and intentionally building pieces of your operation that give you more options when markets change.  Direct-to-consumer sales can be one of those options, but they aren’t the only one. This season of Farming on Purpose will explore what it looks like for producers to build businesses, markets, and reputations that give them more influence over their future without pretending there is one right way to farm.  This episode is a great listen for anyone who has ever felt behind on their operation, questioned whether a farm decision was the right one, or wondered how to create more stability and independence without walking away from the agricultural systems they already operate within.  Key Topics:  What worked — and what didn’t — on our farm this year Growing our own feed and creating more flexibility in the cattle operation What we learned during our first kidding season Losing money on feeder steers and learning through real financial risk Why farmers rarely talk openly about decisions that don’t work What “controlling your brand” actually means for a farm or ranch Creating leverage without abandoning commodity agriculture Why direct-to-consumer is an option, not a requirement Building diversification that actually fits your operation Why producer control matters in a consolidated agricultural system Creating more options for the next generation What this new season of Farming on Purpose will focus on Other Episodes You May Enjoy:  Episode #125: Raising More Than Livestock: Building a Multi-Generation Direct-to-Consumer Farm Business  A conversation with Nola and Mikaela Schultz about building Schultz Country Market and selling farm products directly to customers. This episode dives into pricing, processing challenges, marketing meat, and what it takes to grow a farm business that supports both the family and the land.  Episode #90: Current State of Farming – A Tale of Two Scales  This episode breaks down one of the biggest tensions in agriculture today — the gap between small family farms and large-scale operations — and what that means for the future of the industry.  Episode #74: Capturing Profit from Heifers with Direct-to-Consumer Beef with Amanda of 2383 Farms  A practical discussion around diversification, value-added agriculture, and finding ways to create more stability and profitability within a farm operation.  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.     Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

“You don’t have to be on one end of the spectrum or the other. It’s okay to find the middle ground.”  In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Ali Lightfoot of Lightfoot Farmstead in Tennessee to talk about building a direct-to-consumer farm business while balancing full-time jobs, raising kids, and figuring it out one step at a time.  Ali shares how she went from having zero agricultural background to helping grow a thriving farmstead operation alongside her husband, Wesley. What started as a small effort to feed their own family slowly expanded into beef, pork, pasture-raised chicken, eggs, jams, jellies, raw milk, and a loyal customer base throughout the Memphis area.  We talk about the realities of scaling a farm business outside of traditional agriculture, including the challenges of balancing work and family, losing their USDA processing facility in a fire, and rebuilding their business through creativity and persistence.  Ali also shares the story behind their now-famous bright blue converted school bus turned mobile farm store — a project that started almost as a joke and became one of the most recognizable parts of their business.  This episode is packed with honest conversations about direct-to-consumer farming, educating consumers, building systems that actually work, and creating a farm business that fits your family and values.  Key Topics:  Growing a farm business while both spouses work full-time Transitioning from feeding your family to selling direct-to-consumer Building a loyal customer base through farmers markets and education The challenges of scaling beef, pork, and pasture-raised chicken Losing their USDA processing facility in a fire and rebuilding afterward Converting a 1990s school bus into a mobile farm store Educating customers about seasonality and food production Why finding the “middle ground” in agriculture matters Balancing profitability, food quality, and affordability Teaching others how to raise and process their own food LINKS  Follow Ali & Lightfoot Farmstead: Facebook, Instagram & TikTok: @lightfootfarmsteadtn Website: https://www.lightfootfarmsteadtn.com/  Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!  Marketing Routine class, do so here!  Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart  I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.    Other Episodes You May Enjoy:  Episode #112: A Family Legacy of Dairy and Determination[Text Wrapping Break]A deep dive into what it really means to grow up in dairy farming and carry that responsibility forward. This episode explores the connection between family, livestock, and identity—and the pressure that comes with keeping it all going.  Episode #101: From Conventional to Regenerative: One Family's Journey to Building a Sustainable Farm  This episode explores what it actually takes to build a local food business, connect with customers, and create additional income streams beyond commodity agriculture.  Episode #74: Capturing Profit from Heifers with Direct-to-Consumer Beef with Amanda of 2383 Farms  A practical discussion around diversification, value-added agriculture, and finding ways to create more stability and profitability within a farm operation.    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.     Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

“We have to evolve to keep what we have.”  In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Hannah and Ashley Rainville, two sisters from a multi-generational dairy farm in northern Vermont, to talk about what it looks like to face one of the hardest decisions in agriculture—stepping away from the system you were raised in.  Hannah and Ashley share the reality behind their family’s decision to sell their dairy herd after generations of milking cows. What started as a tough winter filled with breakdowns, low milk prices, and mounting pressure turned into a deeper conversation about sustainability—not just financially, but for their family, their future, and their way of life.  We talk about the emotional weight of that decision, what it means to redefine legacy, and how they’re beginning to build a new path forward. From experimenting with gardening and livestock to exploring direct-to-consumer opportunities, they’re not walking away from farming—they’re reshaping it.  This episode is a powerful listen for anyone navigating change in agriculture, questioning the systems they’ve been handed, or trying to figure out what comes next for their farm and their family.    Key Topics:  The reality behind selling a family dairy herd Why the traditional dairy model is becoming harder to sustain The emotional side of change and decision-making on a family farm What it means to protect legacy while doing things differently How small experiments can shape a new direction for your farm Building a diversified, direct-to-consumer model Why family—not the operation—has tocome first Navigating uncertainty while creating new opportunities   LINKS  Follow Hannah & Ashley Rainville: TikTok & Facebook: RainvilleRizzz  Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!  Marketing Routine class, do so here!  Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart  I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.    Other Episodes You May Enjoy:  Episode #112: A Family Legacy of Dairy and Determination  A deep dive into what it really means to grow up in dairy farming and carry that responsibility forward. This episode explores the connection between family, livestock, and identity—and the pressure that comes with keeping it all going.  Episode #90: Current State of Farming – A Tale of Two Scales  This episode breaks down one of the biggest tensions in agriculture today—the gap between small family farms and large-scale operations—and what that means for the future of the industry.  Episode #74: Capturing Profit from Heifers with Direct-to-Consumer Beef  A practical look at what diversification can actually look like on a farm, including selling direct-to-consumer and building additional income streams beyond traditional models.    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.     Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

“Convenience replaced skill, and we stopped noticing what we lost.”  In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Kody Hanner, founder of The Homestead Education, to talk about what happens when life forces you to rethink everything—your food, your health, and the way your family operates.  Kody shares the story of her husband’s end-stage liver disease diagnosis at 33 and the decision that followed—to completely change how they lived in order to fight for his health. What started as a response to a crisis turned into a full shift toward homesteading, whole foods, and rebuilding lost skills.  We talk about the reality of what it takes to produce your own food, why so many families feel overwhelmed trying to start, and how small, intentional changes can lead to long-term transformation. Kody also shares how bringing kids into the process builds responsibility, confidence, and a stronger family unit.  This episode is a great listen for anyone who has ever felt disconnected from their food, overwhelmed by where to start, or curious about what it actually looks like to build a more self-sufficient lifestyle.    Key Topics:  The turning point that led to a complete lifestyle shift   What it actually takes to produce your own food at home   Why convenience has replaced skill in modern life   How to start building homesteading skills without overwhelm   The role of food in long-term health and healing   Teaching kids responsibility through real-life involvement   Why knowledge is more valuable than stockpiling supplies  The mindset shift required to live more self-sufficiently    LINKS  Learn more about The Homestead Education: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com  Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!  Marketing Routine class, do so here!  Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart  I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.    Other Episodes You May Enjoy:  Episode #59: Start Homesteading in Your Kitchen with Meghan Gates Meghan Gates shares how she began her homesteading journey by focusing on simple, practical skills in the kitchen. From baking bread to preserving food and making intentional sourcing decisions, this episode walks through how small, consistent changes can build confidence and capability over time.  Episode #64: From Homesteading to Backgrounding Beef and Meat Business Expansion This episode follows the evolution from a small-scale homesteading mindset into a growing livestock and meat business. It covers the transition into backgrounding cattle, expanding production, and the operational and marketing considerations that come with scaling beyond the homestead.  Episode #55: The Farm & Food System - Insurance, Regulation, and Trends toward Self Sufficiency A broader look at the systems that shape agriculture and food production, this episode explores how insurance, regulation, and policy impact producers and consumers alike. It also dives into the increasing interest in self-sufficiency and what that shift means for the future of food systems.    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.     Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

“Policies built for emergencies rarely stay temporary.”  In this solo episode of Farming on Purpose, I continue the conversation about resource allocation in agriculture — but this time through the lens of policy, infrastructure, and the decisions that quietly shaped modern farming.  Most farmers today operate within a system that was built long before they ever planted their first crop. Grain elevators, crop insurance programs, futures markets, rail systems, and federal farm programs all grew out of a moment of crisis during the Great Depression. What started as an emergency response to collapsing farm prices eventually became the framework that now guides much of modern agricultural production.  In this episode, I walk through how government involvement in agriculture began in the 1930s, how the Agricultural Adjustment Act reshaped production decisions, and how the infrastructure that followed reinforced those choices for generations.  This conversation isn’t about criticizing the system — the policies created during that era helped stabilize agriculture and protect the country’s food supply. But it is worth asking how those policies continue influencing the crops we grow, the risks farmers take, and the structure of rural communities today.  If you’ve ever wondered why corn and soybeans dominate so much of the agricultural landscape — or why switching crops isn’t nearly as simple as people often assume — this episode helps explain the deeper story behind it.    Key Topics  Why the U.S. government first intervened in agriculture during the Great Depression How the Agricultural Adjustment Act reshaped crop production and market stability Why Title I commodity crops (corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, and peanuts) became the backbone of federal policy How infrastructure — grain elevators, rail systems, ethanol plants, and futures markets — reinforced those crops over time The role crop insurance and federal programs play in reducing risk for producers Why diversification is harder today than it was historically How agricultural consolidation has changed rural communities The difference between feeding people directly and supporting global food systems through commodity production Why simply telling farmers to “grow something else” ignores the infrastructurerequiredto support new crops  The tension between stability and flexibility in modern agricultural systems   Reflection Questions from This Episode  This episode closes with questions designed to help producers think more deeply about the systems they operate within:  If the system we farm in today was built during a crisisnearly 100years ago, how might that influence the choices we see as “normal”?  What risks does our current system reduce — and what kinds of flexibility might it limit? If diversification were possible in your region, what infrastructure would need to exist first? Are our current production systemsoptimizingstability, efficiency, or resilience?  What role should policy play in shaping agricultural production in the future? If the goal is both global food reliability and strong rural communities, how might those priorities be balanced? What conversations should agriculture be having now about the next generation of policy and infrastructure?   Links Referenced in This Episode  FRASER wholesale price data  https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/files/docs/publications/SCB/pages/1935-1939/2755_1935-1939.pdf  CBO crop insurance subsidy  https://www.cbo.gov/budget-options/60893  GAO crop insurance  https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-106228  USDA soybean use  https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/coexistence-soybeans-factsheet.pdf  MSU soybean use  https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/where_do_all_these_soybeans_go  MSU trypsin inhibitor  https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/hidden-variable-in-soybean-meal-trypsin-inhibitors-and-swine-growth  Journal of Animal Science  https://academic.oup.com/jas/article/doi/10.1093/jas/skaf253/8234085  USDA ERS corn overview  https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/corn-and-other-feed-grains/feed-grains-sector-at-a-glance  USDA ERS ethanol use  https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details?pubid=105761  AHA advisory  https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000510  Linoleic acid review  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22889633  JAMA plant oils study  https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2831265  Johns Hopkins explainer  https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/the-evidence-behind-seed-oils-health-effects  Alternative PUFA interpretation  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5437600  LINKS  Learn more about Outlaw Ranch Care and the Country Living Academy:  https://outlawranchcare.com  Listeners of the Farming on Purpose Podcast can also receive a 50% off for the annual membership using the special code FP50.  Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!  Marketing Routine class, do so here!  Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart  I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.    Other Episodes You May Enjoy  Episode #125: Raising More Than Livestock — Building a Multi-Generation Direct-to-Consumer Farm Business  This episode explores what it takes to build a diversified farm business outside of traditional commodity systems. Nola and Mikaela Schultz share the realities of running a multi-generation family farm while developing direct-to-consumer markets, navigating processing challenges, and creating new income streams for the next generation.  Episode #124: Marriage, Parenthood & Building a Business  Building a farm or ag-related business affects more than just production decisions—it shapes family life as well. This episode dives into the reality of building a business while raising a family, exploring the leadership, structure, and long-term vision required to create something that supports both your work and your life.  Episode #123: Year-End Tax Planning and Financial Confidence on the Farm  Understanding the financial side of farming is critical to managing risk and building resilient operations. In this episode, Kansas Farm Management economist Tressie Mitzner shares practical strategies for improving financial clarity, preparing for taxes, and making better long-term business decisions on the farm.    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.     Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

“People really want the agricultural life. They want to learn how to do it right—they just need someone willing to show them.”    In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Frank Baggiolini, asset manager and content creator for Outlaw Ranch Care, to talk about a growing shift in rural America: the rise of first-time landowners and the opportunity agriculture has to welcome them.  Frank grew up surrounded by agriculture in California, raising registered Polled Herefords through youth projects while his family farmed vegetables in the Salinas Valley. Over the years, his career took him across several corners of the industry—from dairy work and orchard removal to managing equipment operations for large pistachio and almond farms.  Today, that experience has come full circle.  Through Outlaw Ranch Care and their Country Living Academy, Frank and his partners help new rural landowners learn the practical skills needed to manage their land, care for livestock, operate equipment, and build productive properties.  We talk about the reality many new landowners face when they purchase rural property with big dreams but little experience. Frank shares how simple knowledge gaps—from backing a trailer to managing pasture weeds—can quickly become overwhelming without guidance.  We also discuss the bigger picture for agriculture. While the rise of small acreage properties can sometimes create tension within traditional ag communities, Frank believes helping new landowners become responsible stewards of the land ultimately strengthens agriculture as a whole.  This episode is a great listen for producers, first-time landowners, homesteaders, and anyone thinking about buying rural property and learning how to care for it well.    Key Topics  Growing up in California agriculture raising Polled Herefords and row crops · How Frank’s career moved through multiple sectors of agriculture · The story behind starting Outlaw Ranch Care  · Why many first-time landowners struggle after purchasing rural property  · Teaching practical ranch skills through the Country Living Academy  · Common mistakes new landowners make when buying tractors and equipment  · Documenting the process of building and restoring a small ranch property  · The debate around small acreage “ranchettes” and land stewardship  · Why helping new landowners succeed can benefit the future of agriculture  · How small producers can still contribute to the broader cattle industry    LINKS  Learn more about Outlaw Ranch Care and the Country Living Academy:  https://outlawranchcare.com  Listeners of the Farming on Purpose Podcast can also receive a 50% off for the annual membership using the special code FP50.  Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!  Marketing Routine class, do so here!  Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart  I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.      Other Episodes You May Enjoy  Episode #127: Why Farm Succession Planning Can’t Wait  A conversation about the urgency of farm and ranch succession planning and what happens when the next generation isn’t prepared to take over. This episode explores the scale of land expected to transition in the coming decades and why preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders matters more than ever.  Episode #125: Raising More Than Livestock: Building a Multi-Generation Direct-to-Consumer Farm Business  Nola and Mikaela Schultz share how they built Schultz Country Market and created a direct-to-consumer meat business that supports both their family and their farm.  Episode #73: Income Streams, Marketing Beef, and Taking the Leap with Rancher Jess  Jess Perez shares how she built a cow-calf operation while selling beef directly to consumers and building a digital audience.    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.     Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

“Farmers markets are great — but they’re a narrow pipe between farmers and consumers.”  In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Dan Brunner, founder of Market Wagon, to talk about one of the biggest challenges in local food systems: distribution.  Dan comes from a background in software and logistics, but his interest in food systems goes back decades. Long before grocery delivery was common, he believed consumers would eventually buy more of their food online. When he met a farmer who shared a similar vision, they partnered to launch Market Wagon in 2017 — a platform designed to connect local farmers and food producers directly with consumers through an online marketplace and delivery network.  We talk about the hidden complexity of the modern grocery supply chain, why farmers markets alone can’t scale access to local food, and how Market Wagon is widening the connection between producers and consumers.  Dan also shares how the company grew from a single city to serving dozens of regional markets, what the COVID grocery shift revealed about consumer behavior, and why transparency around food production is becoming increasingly important.  This episode is a great listen for producers interested in expanding direct-to-consumer sales, farmers navigating multiple marketing channels, and anyone curious about how local food systems are evolving in the digital age.    Key Topics:  The logistics problems inside the modern grocery supply chain  Why farmers markets represent only a small slice of food distribution  How Market Wagon connects producers and consumers through weekly delivery hubs  The two-sided challenge of building a marketplace for both farmers and shoppers  How COVID accelerated online grocery adoption and local food interest  Inventory management and pricing for farmers selling through the platform  The role of transparency in helping consumers understand how food is produced  Why product diversity actually benefits farmers in a shared marketplace  What producers should know before joining Market Wagon    LINKS  Learn more about Market Wagon:  https://www.marketwagon.com  Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!  Marketing Routine class, do so here!  Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart  I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.    Other Episodes You May Enjoy:    Episode #125: Raising More Than Livestock: Building a Multi-Generation Direct-to-Consumer Farm Business – A conversation with Nola and Mikaela Schultz about building Schultz Country Market and selling farm products directly to customers. This episode dives into pricing, processing challenges, marketing meat, and what it takes to grow a farm business that supports both the family and the land.  Episode #73: Income Streams, Marketing Beef, and Taking the Leap with Rancher Jess – Jess Perez shares how she returned to agriculture and built a cow-calf operation while selling beef directly to consumers. This episode explores online storytelling, building an audience, and creating multiple income streams in agriculture.  Episode #74: Capturing Profit from Heifers with Direct-to-Consumer Beef with Amanda of 2383 Farms – Amanda shares how she found her place in a multi-generation cow-calf operation and started selling beef directly to customers. The conversation covers diversification, building new revenue streams, and the real financial considerations behind direct-to-consumer agriculture.     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.     Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

“Every generation of farmers has asked the same question: What do we do with what we have?”  In this solo episode of Farming on Purpose, I take a deep dive into the history of agriculture — not just as a timeline of events, but as a story of resource allocation.  From subsistence survival to the Homestead expansion, through industrialization, the Green Revolution, the 1980s farm crisis, and into today’s era of transition and generational transfer, one theme remains constant: producers must decide how to allocate what is scarce.  In earlier eras, it was labor. Then land. Then machinery. Then knowledge. Then capital. Today? It may be energy, leadership, and continuity.  This episode explores how global events reshaped agriculture in 20-year spans — and why the next 20 years may change more than we realize as 70% of U.S. farmland is expected to change hands.  If you are thinking about transition, sustainability, leadership, or simply trying to build something that lasts — this episode will challenge how you think about your operation.    Key Topics:  The Subsistence & Survival Era: Farming when the margin for error was zero · The Homestead Era: Expansion, ownership, and the belief that growth meant opportunity · Industrialization: Tractors, mechanization, and managing debt as a new resource  · The Green Revolution: Science, yield, and knowledge replacing land as the growth engine  · The 1980s Farm Crisis: Debt, collapse, and the emotional toll rarely discussed  · How farm size grew 200% while the farm population fell 97%  · Why local food sales increased 140% before 2020  · The largest generational land transfer in U.S. history happening right now  · Why management — not land — may be the true limiting factor today  · Sustainability as personal, financial, and generational — not just environmental    Reflection Questions from This Episode:  This episode closes with practical questions every producer should consider:  Where is my energy actually going?    What resources am I protecting — and which ones am I spending without realizing it?    What am I doing out of habit instead of intention?    If I stepped away for six months, what would break?    What problem is my operation actually solving?    Am I allocating resources reactively or strategically?    Am I building something transferable — or something only I can carry?    What resource will matter most in the next 20 years?    What does sustainability really mean in my context?    Who needs to be part of these conversations before they become urgent?  LINKS  Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!  Marketing Routine class, do so here!  Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart  I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.      Other Episodes You May Enjoy:  Farm Succession Planning: Securing Your Family’s Legacy – A practical conversation about transition planning, family communication, and protecting the long-term future of your operation. A strong follow-up to Jace’s insights on decentralized leadership and building a farm that outlasts one generation.  Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-87-farm-succession-planning-securing-your/id1652386715  Marriage, Parenthood & Building a Business – An honest look at building a growing business while raising a family. This episode pairs well with Jace’s discussion on leadership, structure, and creating a business that supports your life instead of consuming it.  Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marriage-parenthood-building-a-business/id1652386715  Year-End Tax Planning and Financial Confidence on the Farm – A finance-focused episode covering taxes, recordkeeping, and strategic cash flow planning. Perfect for listeners who want to go deeper after hearing Jace explain why monthly financial clarity matters.  Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/year-end-tax-planning-and-financial-confidence/id1652386715        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.     Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

“You don’t know what you don’t know — and that’s what keeps people up at night.”  In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Jace Young, founder and CEO of Legacy Farmer, to talk about the financial side of agriculture that most producers avoid — until they can’t.  Jace grew up on a multi-million-dollar Kansas farm that ultimately went bankrupt. Years later, working in ag banking — including at the same banks his family once approached — he gained access to the financial documentation behind the collapse. What he discovered changed the direction of his life.  We talk about centralized leadership, pride, emotional decision-making, and why updating your numbers once a year isn’t enough. Jace shares what he sees inside banks today, how loan committees actually think, and why producers who understand their balance sheets have leverage most others don’t.  This episode is a must-listen for producers stepping into leadership roles, families navigating transition, and anyone who wants to build a farm business that outlasts one generation.    Key Topics:  Growing up inside a 14,000-head feedyard and watching it go bankrupt  What ag banking revealed about financial blind spots in farm businesses  Centralized vs. decentralized leadership in agriculture  Why updating financials monthly changes everything  How to build trust (and leverage) with your banker  Farm debt trends and what tightening credit could mean for 2026  Why service-based businesses create stability alongside production agriculture  Exposing financial weaknesses without destroying family relationships  Transition planning through transparency, not secrecy    LINKS  Learn more about Legacy Farmer:  https://www.legacyfarmer.com  Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!  Marketing Routine class, do so here!  Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart  I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.      Other Episodes You May Enjoy:  Farm Succession Planning: Securing Your Family’s Legacy – A practical conversation about transition planning, family communication, and protecting the long-term future of your operation. A strong follow-up to Jace’s insights on decentralized leadership and building a farm that outlasts one generation.  Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-87-farm-succession-planning-securing-your/id1652386715  Marriage, Parenthood & Building a Business – An honest look at building a growing business while raising a family. This episode pairs well with Jace’s discussion on leadership, structure, and creating a business that supports your life instead of consuming it.  Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marriage-parenthood-building-a-business/id1652386715  Year-End Tax Planning and Financial Confidence on the Farm – A finance-focused episode covering taxes, recordkeeping, and strategic cash flow planning. Perfect for listeners who want to go deeper after hearing Jace explain why monthly financial clarity matters.  Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/year-end-tax-planning-and-financial-confidence/id1652386715    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.     Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

“You’re going to make mistakes — and then you’re going to learn from those mistakes.”  In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Hayley Darnielle, owner of Crooked Creek Farms in Montana, to talk about building a diversified, direct-to-consumer farm business from the ground up.  What started as a simple Facebook page and one milk cow has grown into a full-time operation providing raw milk, pork, poultry, eggs, and more to local families. Hayley shares what it’s really like to be a first-generation farmer, how Montana’s Food Freedom Act shaped her business, and why responsibility, transparency, and boundaries matter just as much as growth.  This conversation explores diversification with intention, navigating customer relationships, using grants to fuel growth, and building a farm that supports both family life and long-term sustainability.    Key Topics:  Starting a farm business without growing up in agriculture  How Montana’s Food Freedom Act opened the door for direct-to-consumer sales  Diversifying livestock with purpose and limited acreage  Balancing motherhood, farm work, and business growth  Learning through trial, error, and knowing when to scale back  Building infrastructure as a first-generation producer  Navigating customer expectations and setting boundaries  Using the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant to accelerate growth  Growing two farm operations side by side    LINKS  Follow Crooked Creek Farms and learn more about Hayley’s operation:  https://www.crookedcreekfarmsmt.com  Follow Crooked Creek Farms on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok:  Crooked Creek Farms MT  Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!  Marketing Routine class, do so here!  Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart  I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.    Other Episodes You May Enjoy    #122: How Agritourism Is Transforming Farming – A look at how opening the farm to the public through agritourism can create new income streams, strengthen community trust, and support long-term farm sustainability.  #125: Raising More Than Livestock: Building a Multi-Generation Direct-to-Consumer Farm Business – An honest conversation about diversification, family roles, and building a direct-to-consumer business that supports both the farm and the people behind it.  #76: Ag Entrepreneurship & Conviction in Fighting for the Family Farm with Amanda Radke – A conversation about purpose, priorities, entrepreneurship, and building income beyond tradition while staying rooted in agriculture.    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.  Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.