In this episode, Taysa Porto shares her journey of transitioning from veterinary school to managing a farm in Tenessee. Starting from training dogs in California, she moved to Massachusetts where she was introduced to regenerative farming. Taysa also talks about the importance of species identification in farming and her recent adventures in regenerative agriculture. She offers valuable insights into the challenges of starting fresh in an unfamiliar field and the importance of finding mentors.
Continue reading e65. Learning to Read the Land with Taysa Portoe62. The Fallen Aspen Farm Journey with Jake Kristophel
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of Jake Kristophel, who established Fallen Aspen Farm in Pennsylvania from scratch. Jake details his experiences in creating diverse farming practices, managing pigs, grass-fed lamb, and pasture eggs, and dealing with challenges like overgrazing and sheep management. We examine the operation of Fallen Aspen Farm, including sheep management, breeding challenges, and the strategies they employed, such as keeping ram lambs away from the ewes. We also discuss measures taken to combat overgrazing, the plantation of drought-tolerant trees, and the enchanting story of Jake’s native pastures. Jake provides insights into winter stockpiling, future farm planning and shares his marketing strategies for the farm’s products like lard soap and lard balms.
Continue reading e62. The Fallen Aspen Farm Journey with Jake Kristophele58. Grazing on the Wild Side with Christina Traeger
In this episode, Christina Traeger of Rolling Hills Cattle Company shares her journey as a grass farmer from central Minnesota, raising British white cattle, hogs, sheep, and poultry on a grass-based operation. She discusses regenerative farming and innovative livestock management, including the processes of rotational grazing and bale grazing, which she has successfully implemented on her farm. Christina also talks about her experience raising unique Mangalitsa pigs and the challenges of running a farm as a single mom to three kids. She also touches on her experience with grazing cattle on DNR leased land and the positive impact it has on wildlife.
Continue reading e58. Grazing on the Wild Side with Christina Traegere49. Regenerative Farming and Livestock Management at Greenacres Foundation with Leevi Stump
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Leevi Stump, Livestock Manager at Greenacres Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio. We discussed the regenerative farming practices they use at Greenacres, including raising a variety of livestock such as grass-fed and finished beef and sheep, pasture-raised chickens and turkeys, and heritage pigs. We explored the benefits of using smaller breed genetics like Aberdeen Angus for grass-fed and finished cattle operations, as well as the importance of rotational grazing and avoiding herbicides and pesticides for overall soil health and ecology. We also delved into the management and integration of various livestock species on the farm, such as integrating sheep into the cattle herd, creating a “flerd,” and the potential benefits of parasite control and protection from predators. Additionally, we discussed the process of raising meat birds on pasture, ensuring their health and wellbeing through the use of chicken tractors and diverse diets. We also touched on their turkey operation, focusing on the broad-breasted bronze breed, and the growth of their pig enterprise. Finally, we explored the use of pigs on the farm to disrupt and root up invasive honeysuckle in wooded areas, improving the overall quality of the land for other livestock species. We also highlighted various resources and books related to grazing and regenerative farming, emphasizing the importance of time management, creating a game plan, and having a supportive team in the farming industry. Join me as I learn more about Greenacres and their incredible work in regenerative farming practices and livestock management.
Continue reading e49. Regenerative Farming and Livestock Management at Greenacres Foundation with Leevi Stumpe42. From the City to Multi-Species Grazing with Juan Sanguinetti
In this episode of The Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal talks with Juan Sanguinetti of La Zoila! We discuss his journey from being raised in the city to multi-species rotational grazing. He and his wife started with a farm needing a lot of care and are building it into a substanible operation. Also, Juan is our first guest from Argentina.
Continue reading e42. From the City to Multi-Species Grazing with Juan Sanguinettie21. Daniel Rose – You Can Farm to a Diversified Ranch
In this episode of The Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal talks with Daniel Rose of Grassroots Ranch about his journey from the city to his farm. He didn’t grow up on a farm, but he found his passion on a farm. Daniel, with his wife runs the Grassroot Ranch Farm in Tulsa since 2014, where he does an operation of grass-finished Beef, pasture-raised Chicken, and forest-raised Pork.
Continue reading e21. Daniel Rose – You Can Farm to a Diversified Ranche19. Will Harris – Five Species of Livestock for Meat Production
In this episode of The Grazing Grass podcast, Cal talks with Will Harris of White Oak Pastures about his journey and the five species used for red meat production. Will is a fourth-generation cattleman and manages the land in Georgia that his great-grandfather settled in 1866. In White Oak Pastures, he raises ten species of livestock and poultry.
Continue reading e19. Will Harris – Five Species of Livestock for Meat Productione17. The Rewilding of Timshel Wildland
In this episode of The Grazing Grass podcast, Cal talks with Daniel Griffith of Timshel Wildland about his journey to holistic management and the happenings on Timshel Wildland. His mission is to unify both conventional nature conservation and regenerative farming. They also discussed his forthcoming book Wild Like Flowers.
Continue reading e17. The Rewilding of Timshel Wildlande11. Raising Hogs in the Woods While Grazing Grass with a Flerd
In this episode of The Grazing Grass podcast, Cal talks with Scott Hauck of Sacred Song Farm. Scott, along with his wife and daughter, runs a farm in Mancos, Colorado. They are a first-generation family farm. Scott discusses the rotational grazing of pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens and tells about raising hogs in the woods and breeds and management. Among the topics covered are flerds, leasing land, and Katahdin hair sheep.
Continue reading e11. Raising Hogs in the Woods While Grazing Grass with a Flerde10. Making More with 2 Cows than 100 Cows
In this episode of The Grazing Grass podcast, Cal talks with Michelle Lancaster of Spirited Rose Farm about dairy cows, planting alfalfa, breeds of sheep and wool production. Michelle and her husband Jay, operate Spirited Rose Farm in Eastern Washington. On their small farm, they demonstrate how to use regenerative practices no matter your farm size.
Continue reading e10. Making More with 2 Cows than 100 Cows