Being Yourself is the Best Self You Can Be

Meet FarmHer Melissa O'Neil! Melissa is CEO of Iowa's largest homeless shelter, Central Iowa Shelter & Services, in downtown Des Moines. Melissa embodies the Christmas spirit all year round by dedicating her life to those in need and encouraging others to do the same.

Listen in how Jen Welch at The Crowded Acre takes local bacon (and more) from pig to plate with a nose-to-tail dining experience in her farms own food truck. During this episode, Jen shares how farmers can be successful on small farms and how the Welch family has grown up alongside The Crowded Acre's chickens, ducks, pigs, goats, and more. Note: The Bearded Lady has closed since filming this show, but the hard work, determination, and love that went into it remains.

In pride month and every month, we at FarmHer believe being yourself is the best self you can be. Be who you are. And love who you want to be. Whether you are a part of the LGBTQ+ community or need advice on how to be a better, more supportive ally, this Nationwide Everybody Eats podcast is for you because love is love.  Both of our guests are “Cultivating Change", literally as members of the Cultivating Change Foundation. Cultivating Change Foundation’s mission is “valuing and elevating LGBTQ+ agriculturists through advocacy, education, and community.” Our guests, Lydia Noyes, and Skyler Allison do just that. Take a listen as we learn more about their FarmHer journey, what they do for the foundation, and their advice on being a supportive member or ally to the LGBTQ+ community. 

Steak, cheeseburgers, and ribs... oh my! On this episode of our podcast, travel to Texas to meet women of Grrls Meat Camp! From ranching to butchery, they cover it all. On this FarmHer Talks episode, we visit the Manterola family at the Bar W Ranch cattle pens. Then head to Jake's Salon to meet Grrls Meat Camp founder, Kate Hill and make charcuterie. It's one meaty episode you don't want to miss! 

Have you ever wondered, how do farms last for generations? Catch a ride with April Hemmes as she shares about her century farm. This FarmHer teaches us how she has kept her family farm alive and going. 

From pigs to pies, Iowa FarmHer Cristen Clark goes from feeding pigs to baking pie at her food blog, Food and Swine. Join this mother of two as she shows and shares her love for family, farming and cooking. Then, learn her tips on the best pear pie and pie crust you've ever tasted.

In this episode, Marji visits city-girl-turned-ranchher Krystina at Cook Pig Ranch, a pasture-based pig farm raising premium pork in southern California. The ranch is located in the Cleveland National Forest and designed after pig raising methods based in Iberico, Spain. This unique farm design allows the Cook family to raise a more flavorful pork product while raising their family on the farm.

In this episode, we're getting to know Amy Heitland of Westfork Ranch in Sheffield, Iowa. Learn about her day from cleaning stalls to riding. Then, meet Amy's family that helps on the farm and hear how personal tragedy has shaped the Westfork Ranch program. 

On November 15, 2021, Marcia Bunger was named Administrator for the Risk Management Agency. On this BRAND NEW episode of FarmHer Talks, we discuss her journey from humble beginnings as a small girl living on a fourth generation farm in rural South Dakota to becoming the first member of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and the first woman to serve as RMA Administrator. 

Liz Hunt is the head of Sustainable and Responsible Business for Syngenta. She has a background in horticulture and focuses every day on how to help farmers and landowners be more sustainable. Learn more about Liz and her journey in agriculture!