174. A Subscription Model Transformed Jeff Siewicki’s Farm Business
In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, we're joined by Jeff Siewicki of Vital Mission Farm in South Carolina. Jeff shares his journey from raising 25 chickens for personal use to building a thriving regenerative poultry business focused on pasture-raised ducks and turkeys. With a background in science and no prior farming experience, Jeff candidly discusses how he learned everything from scratch—facing the steep learning curves of pasture poultry, selling wholesale to top chefs, and ultimately pivoting to a hyperlocal subscription-based model for direct-to-consumer sales.Topics Covered:Starting with chickens, transitioning to ducks and turkeysChallenges and benefits of pasture-raised poultryLessons from selling wholesale to restaurants pre-COVIDPivoting during the pandemic to direct-to-consumer salesCreating value-added products like duck prosciutto and pet treatsLaunching and refining a customized local subscription boxOnline marketing and building an effective digital storefrontAdvice for farmers on capturing leads and converting salesWhy You Should Listen: If you're a grass-based producer exploring poultry, value-added products, or direct-to-consumer models, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world experience. Jeff doesn’t sugarcoat the hard lessons learned, but he also shares the wins—from building customer relationships at farmers markets to crafting a high-margin subscription service. Whether you’re looking to improve your margins, expand product offerings, or shift from wholesale to DTC, Jeff’s story is full of inspiration and actionable insights.Resources Mentioned:Vital Mission FarmRegenerative SuccessPremier1 Supplies (chick-safe netting)Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmondGBT AngusGrazing Grass LinksNew Listener Resource GuideProvide feedback for the podcastWebsiteInsidersResources (Coming Soon)Community (on Facebook)Check out the Apiary Chronicles PodcastChapters
-------- Â
1:15:29
173. Managing 8,000 Acres with Planned Migratory Grazing with Riki Kremers
Riki Kremers joins us from Kremers Ranch in Lance Creek, Wyoming, where she and her family manage 8,000 acres of rough, arid country with Angus-cross cattle, horses, and meat goats. Together with her husband and daughter, Riki has transitioned their operation from traditional set-stock grazing to a powerful combination of Instinctive Migratory Grazing (IMG) and Planned Migratory Grazing (PMG), doubling their stocking rate and reducing feed inputs. With over 20 miles of water pipeline and an impressive track record of adapting to extreme environments, Riki shares hard-earned lessons on stockmanship, infrastructure, and letting nature lead the way. Topics CoveredHistory and evolution of Kremers RanchTransition from February to June calvingBuilding water infrastructure and pasture layoutChallenges with temporary fencing in brittle environmentsTransitioning to IMG and how it rebooted herd behaviorRole of stockmanship and learning from Bob Kin and Ian Mitchell-InnesManaging yearlings separately for summer and winter forage balanceCreating and using "insurance pastures"Shifts in forage species and pasture recovery timesIntegrating horses and four-wheelers into cattle managementWhy You Should ListenIf you're grazing in a brittle or arid environment—or frustrated with conventional rotational systems—Riki’s experience will resonate. She candidly walks us through her family’s grazing journey, showing how thoughtful stockmanship and intentional planning can unlock natural herd behavior and healthier land. Whether you’re looking to reduce feed, improve forage diversity, or double your stocking rate without burning out your pastures, this episode offers actionable wisdom grounded in real-world success.Resources MentionedInstinctive Migratory Grazing SchoolRiki Kremers on FacebookBob Kinford on the Grazing Grass PodcastBob Kinford – Instinctive Migratory GrazingVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmondGBT AngusGrazing Grass LinksNew Listener Resource GuideProvide feedback for the podcastWebsiteInsidersResources (Coming Soon)Community (on Facebook)Check out the Apiary Chronicles PodcastChapters(00:00) - Introduction and Fast Five with Riki Kramer
(01:26) - History and Evolution of Kramer's Ranch
(02:07) - Grazing Techniques and Challenges
(04:57) - Record Keeping and Ranch Management
(09:20) - Transition to Instinctive Migratory Grazing (IMG)
(18:08) - Implementing and Refining IMG
(33:07) - Stockmanship and Herd Behavior
(40:26) - Understanding Animal Communication
(40:38) - Four-Wheeler vs. Horseback Communication
(42:00) - Benefits of IMG Grazing in Arid Environments
(43:12) - Forage Quality and Species Changes
(45:14) - Managing Cow Herds and Yearlings
(50:50) - Insurance Pastures: A Safety Net for Grazing
(56:10) - Upcoming Grazing School Details
(01:03:42) - Famous Four Questions
(01:14:56) - Conclusion and Takeaways
-------- Â
1:18:08
172. Balancing Horses, Sheep, and Goats in a Rotational Grazing System with Cherrie Nolden
In this episode, we chat with Cherrie Nolden of Wonder Acres Farm, located in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Cherrie shares her extensive experience with multi-species grazing, highlighting her innovative approaches to adaptive grazing management and pasture improvement. She discusses how she manages her Norwegian Fjord horses, sheep, goats, and livestock guardian dogs, emphasizing genetic selection for natural parasite resistance and efficient grazing practices. Cherrie also covers fencing strategies, transitioning horses from dry lots to rotational grazing, and maintaining healthy pastures through careful management.Topics discussed:Adaptive and rotational grazing strategiesGrazing management for horses, sheep, and goatsGenetic selection for parasite resistanceMulti-species grazing benefitsUsing electro-net fencing effectivelyDesigning and utilizing grazing lanesSustainable pasture improvement techniquesWhether you're managing horses, sheep, goats, or all of the above, Cherrie's insights will inspire you to optimize your grazing practices and improve your farm's overall productivity and sustainability.Resources mentioned:Wonder Acres Farm on FacebookWonder Acres Farm websiteWon Der Fjords on FacebookVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmondGBT AngusGrazing Grass LinksNew Listener Resource GuideProvide feedback for the podcastWebsiteInsidersResources (Coming Soon)Community (on Facebook)Check out the Apiary Chronicles PodcastChapters
-------- Â
1:20:26
171. Growing a Farm Brand with Alex Russell
In this episode, we chat with Alex from Chucktown Acres, a regenerative farm based in Charleston, South Carolina. Alex shares his transformation from suburban musician and Bible college student to full-time regenerative farmer. His journey includes a pivotal internship at Polyface Farms and eventually taking over an existing farm operation in coastal South Carolina. Alex now manages a thriving multi-species livestock operation and also teaches marketing to other farmers.Topics CoveredAlex’s health awakening and discovery of real foodThe shift from Bible college to aspiring farmerSecuring a highly competitive internship at Polyface FarmsWhat life and work were like at PolyfaceStarting and rebranding Chucktown AcresRaising grass-fed beef, Berkshire hogs, broilers, laying hens, turkeys, and moreAdjusting practices for regional predator pressure in South CarolinaUsing and recommending Kiwi Tech posts and Gallagher reelsBuilding a direct-to-consumer business with Barn2Door and weekly email marketingOffering internships for local youth interested in sustainable agNavigating social media and customer communicationEquipment preferences and gear talk (O’Brien vs. Kiwi Tech)Whether you’re just starting your regenerative journey or looking to refine your marketing and multi-species operation, Alex’s story is a valuable one. He didn’t grow up farming and didn’t inherit land—but he found a way through passion, grit, and practical action. His take on internships, rebranding, and building customer relationships through authentic marketing is inspiring and actionable. Plus, there’s plenty of great gear talk for graziers who love comparing reels and posts.Resources MentionedPolyface FarmsBooks & Authors:Folks, This Ain’t Normal by Joel SalatinDirt to Soil by Gabe BrownWorks by Greg Judy, Alan Savory, Will HarrisBarn2Door – eCommerce for farmersRedmond AgricultureNoble Research Institute CoursesKiwi Tech Posts – Available at Ken CoveGallagher reels, O’Brien posts, and other fencing gearVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmondGBT AngusGrazing Grass LinksNew Listener Resource GuideProvide feedback for the podcastWebsiteInsidersResources (Coming Soon)Community (on Facebook)Check out the Apiary Chronicles PodcastChapters(00:00) - Introduction and Quickfire Questions
(01:58) - Welcome to the Grazing Grass Podcast
(03:36) - Alex's Journey to Farming
(05:15) - Discovering the World of Health Food
(06:56) - From Bible College to Farming Aspirations
(15:57) - Internship at Polyface Farms
(42:06) - Starting Chucktown Acres
(45:17) - Starting the Farming Journey
(45:56) - A Fortunate Break
(46:59) - Taking Over the Farm
(48:33) - Rebranding and Relocating
(49:50) - Challenges and Adaptations
(53:30) - Marketing and Sales Strategies
(57:29) - Social Media and Marketing Challenges
(59:49) - Advice for New Farmers
(01:12:05) - The Importance of Farmer's Markets
(01:14:19) - Famous Four Questions
(01:19:52) - Final Thoughts and Resources
-------- Â
1:29:48
170. Building a Bison Empire in Oklahoma with Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker of Cross Timbers Bison joins us on the Grazing Grass Podcast to share his journey from city life to raising bison full time in Sulphur, Oklahoma. With a background in wildlife ecology and a deep appreciation for the nearby Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Dusty took the leap into bison ranching during the pandemic, starting out on an old dairy farm. Since then, he’s poured his passion into building a thriving herd and managing his land with regenerative practices that benefit both the soil and the animals.In this episode, we dig into:Dusty’s transition from city life to bison ranchingHow he adapted a former dairy into a working bison operationThe challenges of fencing and handling these powerful animalsHis approach to regenerative grazing and land stewardshipThoughts on bison genetics and today’s bison meat marketLessons learned from experimenting with multi-species grazingStraightforward advice for anyone looking to get into bison ranchingIf you’re curious about bison, regenerative grazing, or just love hearing a good ranching story, you won’t want to miss this one. Dusty’s experience offers practical tips and a real-world look at the ups and downs of raising these incredible animals.Links Mentioned in the EpisodeCross Timbers Bison Ranch Cross Timbers Bison on YouTubeThis is Oklahoma Podcast with Dusty BakerVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmondGBT AngusGrazing Grass LinksNew Listener Resource GuideProvide feedback for the podcastWebsiteInsidersResources (Coming Soon)Community (on Facebook)Check out the Apiary Chronicles PodcastOriginal Music by Louis PalfreyChapters(00:00) - Introduction and FAST Five
(00:23) - Welcome to the Grazing Grass Podcast
(02:01) - Farm Updates and Teeter Farm Tech Gates
(03:06) - Web Tinkering and Community Projects
(05:24) - Interview with Dusty Baker Begins
(05:47) - Dusty's Journey with Bison
(16:57) - Challenges and Learnings in Bison Farming
(21:59) - Transition to Full-Time Farming During COVID
(29:29) - Starting a YouTube Channel
(35:25) - Regenerative Practices on a Bison Ranch
(45:05) - Transition to Overgrazing
(45:59) - Redmond Agriculture Ad
(46:56) - Getting Started with Bison
(47:49) - Fencing and Keeping Bison Happy
(50:25) - Bison Genetics and Breeding
(57:32) - Bison Meat Market and Business
(01:00:21) - Challenges with Multi-Species Grazing
(01:11:34) - Cooking Bison Meat
(01:14:00) - Famous Four Questions
(01:25:48) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Regenerative Ag Stories on the Grazing Grass Podcast
The Grazing Grass Podcast features insights and stories of regenerative farming, specifically emphasizing grass-based livestock management. Our mission is to foster a community where grass farmers can share knowledge and experiences with one another. We delve into their transition to these practices, explore the ins and outs of their operations, and then move into the "Over Grazing" segment, which addresses specific challenges and learning opportunities. The episode rounds off with the "Famous Four" questions, designed to extract valuable wisdom and advice. Join us to gain practical tips and inspiration from the pioneers of regenerative grass farming.
This is the podcast for you if you are trying to answer: What are regenerative farm practices? How to be grassfed? How do I graze other species of livestock? What's are ways to improve pasture and lower costs? What to sell direct to the consumer?
Australia