Barnyard Language Caite Palmer and Arlene Hunter

Tracy Potter-Fins, a farmer from Montana, discusses her farm and the various crops she grows, including tulips, tomatoes, and garlic. She also talks about her flower business and the different outlets she sells through, such as farmers markets, CSA programs, wholesale accounts, and a farm stand. Tracy also shares her approach to land reparations and her commitment to supporting Indigenous tribes and communities. She discusses the challenges of balancing farming and the administrative side of the business, as well as the dynamics of working with a partner who has a different approach to farming. Tracy also talks about her experience raising her two and a half-year-old daughter on the farm and the flexibility required to manage both farming and parenting. Tracy Potter-Fins discusses the challenges and joys of parenting while running a flower and vegetable farm. She shares how she and her partner celebrate special occasions with flowers and plants, and how flower farming has changed their perspective on holidays. Tracy also talks about their decision-making process for choosing a known donor and the importance of having a donor who already has children. She discusses the distribution of parenting responsibilities and the emotional challenges of parenting a two-year-old. Tracy highlights the benefits of raising a child on the farm, including the opportunity for her daughter to witness their work and experience the wonder of nature. She also shares her frustrations with grant administration and the difficulties of navigating the paperwork and reporting requirements.
Connect with Tracy
https://instagram.com/countyrailfarm/https://www.instagram.com/fieldfiveflowers/
We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.
 You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.
If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at barnyardlanguage@gmail.com.
Takeaways
Tracy Potter-Fins grows a variety of crops on her farm in Montana, including tulips, tomatoes, and garlic.She sells her products through farmers markets, CSA programs, wholesale accounts, and a farm stand.Tracy is committed to land reparations and supports Indigenous tribes and communities through a monetary donation program.Balancing farming and the administrative side of the business can be challenging, but Tracy is working on refining her processes.Raising a child on the farm requires flexibility and a balance between farming and parenting responsibilities....

Sean Short, the owner of Blooming Health Farms, shares his experience running an aquaponic chicken farm and utilizing hydroponics. He discusses the scale and physical space required for his operation, as well as the measures taken to protect his chickens from predators. Sean also shares his background in agriculture and how he got started in farming. He explains the concept of hydroponics and the unique setup in his garage, which allows him to grow plants year-round. Finally, he addresses the challenge of scaling hydroponics for home use and making it more than just a novelty. The conversation explores various aspects of hydroponics, including its integration into commercial operations and grocery stores. It also delves into consumer perception of hydroponics and the need to educate children about this farming method. The idea of decentralizing the food system and addressing food deserts is discussed. The conversation also touches on the importance of empowering at-risk youth through agricultural entrepreneurship, driven by the personal experience of the speaker with the criminal justice system. In this conversation, Sean Short shares his journey of personal transformation and how it led him to co-found Blooming Health Farms, an organization that uses agriculture to teach life skills and provide mental health support to at-risk youth. Sean emphasizes the importance of making informed decisions and breaking patterns to avoid prison. He discusses the power of creativity and determination in overcoming challenges and highlights the role of mentorship and positive guidance in helping young people channel their energies into productive pursuits. Sean also encourages adults to be curious, engage with youth, and create safe spaces for exploration and failure.
Connect with Sean Online
https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com/https://www.instagram.com/bloominghealthfarmshttps://www.facebook.com/BloomingHealthFarms/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmaoyl_blQY6KhO5eGByCDg
We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.
 You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.
If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at barnyardlanguage@gmail.com.
Takeaways
Aquaponics combines fish farming and hydroponics to create a...

Kerissa, a farmer from Kansas, discusses her experiences with farming and parenting. She talks about the challenges of raising children on a farm, including sibling dynamics and the need for childcare. Kerissa also shares her insights on marketing and the impact of urbanization on rural areas. She discusses the importance of infrastructure and the availability of resources in remote locations. Additionally, Kerissa highlights the challenges of processing animals during the pandemic and the transition to a shipping model for selling products. The conversation also touches on the balance between authenticity and professionalism in farm marketing. Finally, Kerissa and the hosts discuss the struggles and joys of parenting on the farm.
Follow Kerissa Online
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coveyrisebeef/Website: https://coveyrisebeef.com/
We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.
 You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.
If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at barnyardlanguage@gmail.com.
Takeaways
Raising children on a farm comes with unique challenges, including sibling dynamics and the need for childcare.Marketing in a remote area requires creativity and a shift to a shipping model for selling products.The impact of urbanization on rural areas includes the loss of infrastructure and resources.Processing animals during the pandemic presented challenges, such as limited availability of processing facilities.Authenticity in farm marketing is important, but finding a balance between authenticity and professionalism can be challenging.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and What Are You Growing?01:00 Age of Kids01:39 Potty Training and Chaos03:29 Stage of Sibling Relationship04:08 Number of Cows05:30 Moving to Kansas15:26 Dealing with Change15:53 Urbanization and Infrastructure16:22 Availability of Infrastructure18:15 Rural Living and Schooling19:46 Challenges of Rural Living20:57 Essential Workers in Agriculture22:50 Processing Animals During the Pandemic24:21 Challenges of Processing Animals25:23 Transitioning Away from Direct Sales28:04 Marketing Challenges in a Remote Area30:29 Starting Over with Livestock31:48 Background in Agriculture34:46 Rapid Growth in Farming35:12 Chicken...

Brea Willette, a farmer from Maine, discusses her diverse farm and homestead. She raises pigs, sheep, poultry, and grows vegetables. Brea shares her experiences with different livestock breeds and the challenges of farming. She talks about the size and structures of her farm, as well as the involvement of her family, including her young children. Brea also discusses the history of farming in her family and her lifelong passion for agriculture. She shares her goals for the homestead and the importance of bartering and supporting local farms in her community. In this conversation, Brea Willette shares her experiences and insights on various aspects of farming and parenting. She discusses the benefits of starting a bartering group and encourages others to do the same. Brea also talks about her successes with raising pigs and the challenges of selling meat at farmers markets. She shares her decision to drop halves and wholes of pork due to profitability issues. Brea reflects on the balance between farming and parenting, highlighting the resilience and common-sense intelligence of farm kids. She also discusses the importance of family support and childcare in farm life. Brea shares her motivation for sharing farming skills and interacting with others in the agriculture community. Lastly, she reveals her favorite category to dominate at the county fair: the most lovable pigs.
Connect with Brea on Instagram or YouTube
https://www.instagram.com/wickedquailporkhomestead/https://www.youtube.com/@wickedquailandpork537
We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.
 You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.
If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at barnyardlanguage@gmail.com.
Takeaways
Starting a bartering group can be a great way to connect with others and trade goods and services.Raising pigs can be more profitable than other livestock, but it's important to consider market demand and pricing in your area.Farmers markets may not always be the most effective sales channel for meat farmers, as customers may not be willing to pay the higher prices.Balancing farming and parenting can be challenging, but farm kids often develop resilience and common-sense intelligence.Teaching kids how to have conversations with adults is an ongoing process that helps them develop social skills and empathy.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Farm...

In this conversation, Lexi Wright shares her experience of balancing work, family, and the transition of a family farm. She discusses the challenges and importance of communication in farm transitions, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and planning. Lexi also talks about the pressure of leaving a legacy and the realities of juggling work and childcare. The conversation highlights the need to let go of expectations and prioritize what works best for each individual family. In this conversation, Lexi Wright shares her experiences as a working mom on a farm and provides insights into transitioning from work to family life. She also offers valuable marketing tips for farm businesses and discusses the challenges and joys of raising kids on the farm. Lexi highlights the importance of managing different personalities and needs within the family and shares her struggles with sleep as a parent. The conversation concludes with a lighthearted discussion on cussing and discussing dirty dishes and weird kid obsessions.
Connect with Lexi
https://backpocketsocial.com/https://www.instagram.com/wrightatthemomenthttps://pod.link/1652386715https://www.facebook.com/backpocketsocialhttps://www.youtube.com/@wrightatthemoment/videos
We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.
 You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.
If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at barnyardlanguage@gmail.com.
Takeaways
Open communication is crucial in farm transitions to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.Planning for the future of the farm and discussing it with family members is essential.Balancing work and family can be challenging, and it's important to prioritize and let go of expectations.Leaving a legacy involves working towards financial security and setting goals for the future. Transitioning from work to family life can be challenging, especially for working moms on a farm. Finding ways to shut off work brain and create a clear separation between work and family time is important.When marketing a farm business, clarity and knowing your goals and audience are key. Focus on creating content that aligns with...

We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.
 You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.
If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at barnyardlanguage@gmail.com.
Follow Carmen & AgriFocused Online
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agrifocused/
Website: https://agrifocused.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agrifocused/
In this conversation, Caite & Arlene interview Carmen Quade, a farmer and business owner from Australia. They discuss Carmen's farming background, her business AgriFocus, and the challenges farmers face in office management. They also talk about the importance of financial planning and succession planning in agriculture. Carmen shares insights on incorporating kids into farm businesses and teaching them about finances and business management. They also discuss the transition to parenthood and balancing the needs of a large family with farm responsibilities. The conversation explores the challenges of balancing the needs of children of different ages and personalities. It delves into the difficulties of managing the needs of teenagers and younger children in a household. The speakers discuss the benefits of having children of similar ages and the joys of the golden stage of two primary school-aged children. They also touch on the pressures of succession and the importance of creating a comfortable and enjoyable life on the farm to attract potential successors. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the convenience of grocery delivery and the challenges of driving with teenagers.
Takeaways
Financial planning and succession planning are crucial for the long-term success of farm businesses.Incorporating kids into farm businesses can teach them valuable skills and provide opportunities for entrepreneurship.Teaching kids about finances and business management from a young age can help them develop important life skills.The transition to parenthood can be challenging, but finding a balance between family and farm responsibilities is possible.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and What Are You Growing?01:14 Carmen's Ag Background and AgriFocus Business08:30 Challenges Farmers Face in Office Management09:56 Importance of Financial Planning and Succession Planning18:15 Incorporating Kids into Farm Businesses26:17...