The First Years

Farm Journal
  • 4.9 (12)
  • Business

A podcast about the unicorns of American Agriculture: first generation farmers, and the guts, grit, determination and business prowess required to be one.

  1. 11/28/2018

    Episode 017: Jarrod Sanders

    Jarrod Sanders decided he wanted to become a farmer to do something bigger than himself. So in March he got up the nerves to approach an established farmer in his community to serve as his mentor. Over the past few months he’s acquired the knowledge necessary to start his own farm and is in the process of securing a Micro-Loan from FSA to buy his own cows. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 017: Jarrod Sanders

  2. 11/21/2018

    Episode 016: Wesley Kent

    Wesley Kent started his farm with a 100-cow dairy in 2000. Since that time he’s diversified his operation to include beef cows, 600 acres of crop and pasture land and two turkey houses. In this episode he walks us through the process of raising turkeys from the time they arrive on the farm until the time they leave. Happy Thanksgiving! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 016: Wesley Kent

  3. 11/14/2018

    Episode 015: Tyler Hedge

    Tyler Hedge is a first generation farmer from Indiana. Growing up, he watched his neighbor farm, and now he's working alongside him trying to build his business for his kids to enjoy later in life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 015: Tyler Hedge

  4. 11/07/2018

    Episode 014: Matt Niswander

    Matt Niswander grew up in the suburbs of Tennessee. At 16, he took a job at a local dairy farm and fell in love with the industry. Now a physician’s assistant, Matt farms alongside his wife and three sons. He shares the headwinds he faced and how he is showing his children and others the importance of agriculture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 014: Matt Niswander

  5. 10/31/2018

    Episode 013: Tom Murray

    Tom Murray started his farm with his wife Nancy in 1991. At that time their sole focus was breeding impeccably beautiful cows. In 1997, they even had a cow break the world record for milk production. But today, genetics are just a small portion of a broader business plan that includes a cheese room and events venue. Changes they made to keep their farm viable in today’s dairy economy. Check out Tom’s journey and hear about the time he sold all of his milk cows because ‘the time was right.’ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 013: Tom Murray

  6. 10/24/2018

    Episode 012: Russell Hedrick

    First-generation farmer Russell Hedrick went from firefighter to farmer. After six years of farming, he is considered one of the most progressive farmers in North Carolina. You’ll love to hear his story of bucking tradition, sticking to different and focusing on profitability. Oh, and did we mention he makes moonshine? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. 10/17/2018

    Episode 011: Heather Moore

    When Heather Moore was 9 years old, her family sold their small dairy. From that day on, she dreamt of starting her own dairy. Listen to her journey to building Moore Family Farms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 011: Heather Moore

  8. 10/08/2018

    Episode 010: Ben Neale

    Ben Neale is a lifelong learner. As such, he took the knowledge and relationships he began developing with ranchers as a kid and has built a ranching business from the ground up. Today his operation includes a herd of 200 cows, a small flock of sheep, honeybees and a USDA inspected meat processing facility. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 010: Ben Neale
See All (18)

4.9
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

A podcast about the unicorns of American Agriculture: first generation farmers, and the guts, grit, determination and business prowess required to be one.

Information

  • Creator
    Farm Journal
  • Years Active
    2018
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Farm Journal
  • Show Website
    The First Years