The Shepherdess

Grace
  • 4.9 (54)
  • Education
  • Updated Biweekly

Grace is an entrepreneur, Shepherdess, and rotational grazing enthusiast. This eclectic mix converges here on the Shepherdess Podcast where we talk about regenerative farming for profit, raising Dorper sheep, and daily life as a small-scale, regenerative farmer.

  1. 1d ago

    Rotational Grazing Sheep for Beginners

    🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head 📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage  Rotational grazing is about as close to a silver bullet for parasite control as you'll find in sheep farming, and in this episode, I'm breaking down my complete grazing system.  I cover how regular rotation builds pasture health and keeps feed costs low, plus the practical details: paddock rest, pasture recovery, fencing setup, and more.  I’m also diving into some audience questions on stocking rates, deworming, minerals, and grazing sheep alongside other livestock.  My goal in this episode is to help the beginner shepherd avoid some of my own early mistakes, so listen in! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 What’s the big deal about rotational grazing? 00:05:48 The importance of taking seriously our own food security 00:07:40 Diving into the transformation in my flock since implementing rotational grazing 00:08:51 How rotational grazing significantly improves pasture health, not just flock health 00:13:00 Addressing the pushback: “I don’t have time for rotational grazing” 00:15:19 My recommendation on how often to move sheep and how long to rest paddocks 00:22:39 Choosing the right electric fencing and training sheep to respect it 00:27:40 Exactly how I stockpile pasture to ease the burden of winter feeding 00:32:41 A walkthrough of my exact fencing setup, including perimeter fencing and electric-wire paddocks 00:40:35 Prioritizing flock health through deworming and culling for disease 00:42:24 The first line of defense against predators 00:43:38 Creating the right paddock size for the size of your flock 00:44:41 Evaluating the health of your soil and providing proper mineral access to your sheep CONNECT WITH ME Email: shepherdess@shepherdess.com Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon  Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers MORE FROM THIS EPISODE View full show notes and transcript on the blog Watch this episode on YouTube Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode! Support the show

    50 min

  2. Jun 30

    LAMBING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS (How to Raise a Small Flock of Sheep)

    🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head 📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage  Healthy lambing starts long before delivery day.  In this episode, I'm walking through how to prepare your ewes in the months and weeks before lambing, what normal labor looks like, how to recognize and assist with common malpresentations, and the critical components of a successful first 24 hours.  If you're new to lambing or want a refresher before the next season, this episode will help you walk in feeling prepared. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 Introduction to successful lambing 00:06:46 Preparing your ewe before lambing: nutrition and minerals 00:11:20 Why deworming matters at lambing time and which products I recommend 00:17:36 Evaluating your ewe's udder before lambing, plus troubleshooting tips 00:23:38 What normal labor and delivery looks like in a healthy ewe and lamb 00:28:55 How I decide when to intervene during birth 00:34:38 Lambing troubleshooting: placenta issues, catching and handling ewes, post-delivery support 00:41:53 The critical first 24 hours: setting your lamb up for a healthy life RESOURCES MENTIONED Sign up for my Raising Sheep 101 Course to get the comprehensive guide on raising sheep and building a successful flock Enroll in the Lamb for Life Course for step-by-step help in raising your lambs past their critical milestones Watch the full tour of my friend Roberta’s farm, where she raises 300 hair sheep in Louisiana Check out my recommended sheep supplies: - Redmond Sheep Mineral - Cydectin Dewormer - NutriDrench - CL Ewe Replacer - Tube Feeding Kit for Lambs CONNECT WITH ME Email: shepherdess@shepherdess.com Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon  Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers MORE FROM THIS EPISODE View full show notes and transcript on the blog Watch this episode on YouTube Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode! Support the show

    50 min

  3. Jun 23

    How I Ship $100k in Product from My Homestead

    📦 Explore my Shipping Products 101 e-book for a complete list of all my recommended resources and links to run your home-based shipping operation 🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head 📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage  I've been selling and shipping products since 2004, and in this episode I'm walking you through the basics of shipping in your business.  We'll cover setting up a simple, efficient shipping operation for your farm products: supplies, packaging, and pricing your shipping the right way. Tune in to learn how a smart shipping system can open the door to a whole new income stream for your farm! TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 My story of selling and shipping products since 2004 00:02:45 Why you need a newsletter, website, and e-commerce BEFORE products 00:08:03 Finding a low-ticket item to sell alongside your farm products 00:10:45 Basic shipping supplies for small-scale orders including polymailers, bubble mailers, and stay-flat mailers 00:16:34 Thermal label printers and shipping software for higher volume 00:20:41 Use your packaging as a way to market your offerings 00:23:09 How to ship frozen meat with dry ice 00:25:16 Flat rate vs. free shipping vs. calculated shipping costs 00:29:20 Why building an online income takes time RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out my Shipping Products 101 e-book for direct links to all of the shipping supplies referenced in this episode Sign up for my Marketing Farmer Masterclass to learn my step-by-step strategy for setting up your website, launching a newsletter, and generating traffic through free social media marketing CONNECT WITH ME Email: shepherdess@shepherdess.com Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon  Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers MORE FROM THIS EPISODE View full show notes and transcript on the blog Watch this episode on YouTube Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode! Support the show

    33 min

  4. Jun 16

    BEEF CATTLE GRAZING TIPS (with Karl Ebel)

    🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head 📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage  If your goal is to raise low-input, grass-finished beef cattle, this conversation with 20-year regenerative rancher Karl Ebel is packed with practical grazing tips that work on any acreage. From stockpile grazing and year round pasture management to keeping your cost per cow well below the industry average, this episode will change the way you think about your land as your most valuable resource. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to low-input cattle ranching and tonight's topics 03:06 How Mr. Ebel got started and why regenerative ranching takes time 07:10 Choosing the right breed and seed stock for a grass-based operation 12:45 The land is your resource — not the livestock 17:03 Audience Q&A: cold climates, goat weed, herbicide use, transitioning off supplemental feed 23:25 Preconditioning calves and selling direct vs. commodity market 28:35 Stockpile grazing and year round grazing without depending on hay 36:39 Annual cost per cow and keeping inputs low 45:39 Matching your animal to your forage and low-input systems in cold climates 52:52 Surviving drought, body condition management, and treating bloat 57:49 Best timing for calving and troubleshooting pasture problems 01:00:33 Financial planning and realistic expectations before you jump into farming RESOURCES MENTIONED Grab your copy of Storey’s Guide to Raising Sheep by Paula Simmons and Carol Ekarius CONNECT WITH ME Email: shepherdess@shepherdess.com Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon  Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers MORE FROM THIS EPISODE View full show notes and transcript on the blog Watch this episode on YouTube Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode! Support the show

    1h 5m

  5. Jun 9

    HOW TO RAISE BEEF CATTLE FOR BEGINNERS (w/ Karl Ebel)

    🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head 📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage  Karl Ebel had no farming background, bought exhausted go-back land, and built one of the most intentional regenerative ranches I've ever seen… right down the road from me!  In this episode, we talk about rehabilitating depleted land, the importance of grass-based genetics, pairing the right livestock to your resource, and answer your questions on starting small, guardian dogs vs. donkeys, running cows and sheep together, winter feeding strategies, knowing your WHY, and more.  If you want to farm smarter, not harder and actually see the numbers work out, you don't want to miss this conversation. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Getting started in cattle even if you think you can’t afford it 04:15 The process of rehabilitating the land and becoming profitable 10:21 How livestock quality impacts sustainability and profitability 15:36 Pairing the right type of livestock with the land you currently have 17:06 A discussion on marketing strategies and considering your own capacity  20:08 Answering your questions: how many cattle to start with, grain finishing, keeping pastures clear of forest encroachment, guardian dogs vs. donkeys 27:14 Weaning calves to minimize stress, running cows and sheep in the same pasture,  34:25 Using outside resources for consultation and economic support 37:20 Karl’s strategy for feeding his herd over winter without hay 38:49 Questions on calving season, electric fencing management, starting a flock of sheep on small acreage 44:36 The importance of knowing your WHY behind farming RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out Karl’s preferred agricultural resources: - National Resources Conservation Service - Noble Research Institute CONNECT WITH ME Email: shepherdess@shepherdess.com Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon  Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers MORE FROM THIS EPISODE View full show notes and transcript on the blog Watch this episode on YouTube Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode! Support the show Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode! Support the show

    48 min

  6. Jun 2

    WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING COWS IN 2026 (w/ Karl Ebel)

    🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head 📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage  Record-high cattle prices have many asking the same question: is now the time to get into cattle?  In this conversation, regenerative rancher Karl Ebel joins me to discuss the current cattle market, sustainable pasture management, the true cost of raising beef, and what beginners should know before buying their first cows. With over 20 years of experience running a regenerative pasture-based cattle ranch on 1,000+ acres, you won’t want to miss Karl’s insights into building a profitable operation that can weather changing market conditions. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 Introduction to co-host Karl and his neighboring cattle farm 00:04:14 A look at the current state of the record-high cattle market and its ups and downs in recent years 00:10:24 The history of Karl’s 1,000+ acre property 00:11:48 Considering the factors contributing to the current all-time high in the cattle market 00:14:56 Taking a look at the history of the cattle market and looking to the future 00:18:51 A discussion on the market impact of tariffs and imported beef 00:26:53 Words of wisdom for those looking to get started in the cattle industry 00:30:15 The important features to look for when starting a cattle herd 00:40:42 Is it the right time to get into the cattle industry? 00:42:14 How much land is needed per cow in order to run a grass-based operation? 00:49:34 Breaking down the cost of raising grass-fed cattle 00:55:06 Answering audience questions: pasture management troubleshooting, specific breed benefits, and more RESOURCES MENTIONED Karl’s recommendations for staying updated on the cattle market:  - Dr. Derrell Peel at Oklahoma State University - Texas A&M Beef Cattle Extension - Kansas State University Beef Extension CONNECT WITH ME Email: shepherdess@shepherdess.com Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon  Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers MORE FROM THIS EPISODE View full show notes and transcript on the blog Watch this episode on YouTube Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode! Support the show

    1h 5m

  7. May 26

    ANSWERING YOUR TOP SHEEP QUESTIONS (Profit, Pasture, Breeding)

    🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head 📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage  Pasture rotation, parasite management, breeding and lambing, fencing systems, direct marketing, and flock health… we are tackling it all in this sheep farming Q&A.  I’m addressing your specific questions to the best of my ability and sharing practical examples from my own farm.  If you are dealing with problems in your flock or simply looking for ways to set yourself up for success, may you walk away from this episode with encouragement and direction. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 Kicking off this sheep farming Q&A 00:01:47 Considerations for setting up paddocks and establishing a strong rotational grazing program 00:10:02 Transitioning sheep from grain to pasture, building robust grass-based genetics, providing proper minerals 00:16:19 My best marketing tips for maintaining a profitable farm despite market fluctuations 00:22:12 Troubleshooting perimeter fencing, optimal time for lambing, feeding through the winter, breeding windows 00:26:00 Natural vs. conventional deworming methods, why I raise Dorper sheep, my preferred handling setup  00:32:22 Running into problems with young lambs, weighing and treating sheep, government overreach, breaking down the numbers on sheep sales RESOURCES MENTIONED Order my book The Basics of Raising Sheep on Pasture Butchering by Adam Danforth  I’ll show you how to build a DIY portable shade structure for your sheep Freebie: Launch a Profitable Email List My top marketing tips: How I Sell My Sheep for $480 Each and How I’m Marketing My Sheep Livestream: Answering 30 Sheep Questions Check out The Shepherdess Starter Kit collaboration with Lakeland Farm & Ranch Direct View my list of recommended books on regenerative agriculture (free shipping!) CONNECT WITH ME Email: shepherdess@shepherdess.com Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon  Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers MORE FROM THIS EPISODE View full show notes and transcript on the blog Watch this episode on YouTube Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode! Support the show

    41 min

  8. May 19

    WHAT IS THE MOST PROFITABLE BREED OF SHEEP? (9 breeds to choose from)

    🐑 Sign up for my FREE one-hour masterclass on raising, grazing, and marketing sheep for $480 per head 📙 Order my book for beginner sheep farmers on small acreage  Choosing the right sheep breed can make or break the success of your for-profit farming operation, especially if you are running a pasture-based system.  In this episode, I’m answering your sheep farming questions and breaking down the pros and cons of popular hair sheep vs. wool sheep breeds, what I’ve learned from raising Dorpers in a high-rainfall environment, how to find quality breeding stock, and why carcass size, minerals, and lambing timing matter so much in a profitable sheep operation. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 Welcome and overview 00:02:25 Which hair breed sheep I have chosen for my farm 00:03:44 Pros and cons of three popular hair breeds 00:06: 24 Why carcass size matters when you are running a for-profit meat operation 00:07:42 The importance of investing in high quality breeding stock to start your flock 00:10:00 My best tips on where to find good quality stock for your specific area 00:12:38 What has changed about raising wool sheep in the modern economy 00:17:59 Pros and cons of three major wool sheep breeds 00:19:27 What you need to know about purchasing stock on Facebook 00:21:58 Why you don’t need a huge farm to implement my sheep farming systems 00:23:05 The importance of timing your lambing with the weather in your area 00:26:29 Why you need to focus on minerals before breeding and lambing season RESOURCES MENTIONED 🐑 Check out my masterclass Lamb for Life for everything you need to know about raising healthy sheep from birth to eight months Storey’s Guide to Raising Sheep by Paula Simmons and Carol Ekarius DorperSheep.org Katahdins.org StCroixSheep.org Busy Ewe Farm and Fibers Harmony Heritage Farm Prairie Shepherdess Cheviots.org American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Association on Facebook Navajo-ChurroSheep.com Dorper Sheep USA on Facebook CONNECT WITH ME Email: shepherdess@shepherdess.com Patreon: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessPatreon  Blog: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG Merch: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyfarms.shepherdess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFarmsDorpers MORE FROM THIS EPISODE View full show notes and transcript on the blog Watch this episode on YouTube Send the Shepherdess your feedback about this episode! Support the show

    30 min
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4.9
out of 5
54 Ratings

About

Grace is an entrepreneur, Shepherdess, and rotational grazing enthusiast. This eclectic mix converges here on the Shepherdess Podcast where we talk about regenerative farming for profit, raising Dorper sheep, and daily life as a small-scale, regenerative farmer.

Information

  • Creator
    Grace
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    118
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Shepherdess
  • Show Website
    The Shepherdess

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