320. Homestead Dairy Sheep: Rachel Hester on Raising a Sustainable Flock
Release Date: 02/11/2025
335. From Sheep to Soil: Zeb Horrell’s Vision for Regenerative New Zealand
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What does it look like to transform land, community, and food systems—all at once? This week on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Zeb Horrell, Chief Regenerative Officer at Mangaroa Farms in Whitemans Valley, New Zealand. Zeb is a third-generation farmer turned regenerative land steward, working to reimagine what farming can be through bioregional resilience, collaborative land models, and deep ecological awareness. At Mangaroa Farms—a community food hub and living laboratory—they’re transitioning former dairy and pine operations into regenerative agriculture and native...
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334. Securing the Homestead: Tim Eng on Safety, Resilience, and Community
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What role does security play in building a thriving homestead? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Tim Eng, a West Point graduate, Army veteran, and real estate expert who now helps families transition into resilient, self-sufficient homesteads. After years in one of the most competitive real estate markets in the U.S., Tim and his family made the leap to homesteading in Tennessee. With a background in military engineering and a passion for regenerative living, Tim now teaches homesteaders how to build security into their land, homes, and communities—from the ground...
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333. Teaching Self-Sufficiency: Kody Hanner on Homesteading and Hands-On Education
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
How can homesteaders empower the next generation through practical, real-world learning? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Kody Hanner, a homesteader, author, and educator based in North Idaho. As the founder of The Homestead Education, Kody helps families integrate homesteading and self-sufficiency into their homeschooling journey. What began as a personal health journey turned into a life-changing homestead and a mission to equip children with the tools they need to thrive outside the traditional classroom. Tune in to hear how Kody’s family healed, homesteaded, and...
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332. Building the Fair Trade Movement: Paul Rice on Ethical Farming & Global Impact
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
How can global trade empower farmers and create a more just food system? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Paul Rice, Founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA. After spending more than a decade working with coffee farmers in Nicaragua, Paul returned to the U.S. to launch the Fair Trade Certified™ label—transforming the way we think about sourcing coffee, cocoa, produce, apparel, and more. Since 1998, Paul has partnered with over 1,400 companies, from Whole Foods to Patagonia, helping channel billions of dollars into the hands of farmers and workers worldwide. In this...
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331. Soil, Stewardship & Safe Food: Kyle Becker on Growing Becker Farms
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What does it take to build a thriving farm business while raising a family and stewarding the land for the next generation? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Kyle Becker, owner of Becker Farms in Moorland, Indiana. Since 2007, Kyle and his wife, Emily, have grown their farm from a small freezer beef operation into a diversified livestock farm offering beef, pork, chicken, turkey, eggs, and local milk. In addition to running the farm, Kyle works as a food animal veterinarian, serving dairy and beef farms across Indiana and Ohio. With a deep focus on soil health,...
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330. Pesticide-Free and Purpose-Filled: Taylor Bemis on Running Tumbleweed Farm
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What does it look like to farm beyond organic on a small scale with big impact? On this episode, Michael is joined by Taylor Bemis, co-owner of Tumbleweed Farm in Oregon’s Hood River Valley. Since 2012, Taylor and his wife, cookbook author Andrea Bemis, have been growing vibrant, pesticide-free produce on just over two acres. Together, they run a 160-member CSA and sell at the Hood River Farmers Market. With a strong focus on educating their community about the nutritional power of fresh, local food, Taylor and Andrea go beyond organic standards—often labeling their vegetables with the...
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329. Collaboration Over Competition: How Two Farmers Built Urban Roots Collective
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What happens when two first-generation farmers decide to team up instead of compete? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Jody Prosser and Mady Hastings, co-owners of Urban Roots Collective in Simpsonville, South Carolina. These first-generation female farmers each started out with their own small farms and no prior ag experience—but when they met, they quickly realized they could grow more and serve more together. Now operating as a team, they’re cultivating vegetables, flowers, and animals on regenerative principles and selling through a unique farmstand model...
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328. From Grass-Fed to Wood-Fired: Pizza Farmer Maren Beard of Luna Valley Farm
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
How can agritourism deepen community connections and support a diversified farm? In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we’re joined by Maren Beard, co-owner of Luna Valley Farm in Decorah, Iowa. Maren and her husband, Tom, run a certified organic regenerative farm, raising 100% grass-fed cattle and sheep while also serving up delicious wood-fired pizzas to their community. Tune in to hear how Luna Valley is creating connection through food and what it really takes to run a thriving pizza farm! Episode Highlights: Origin Story: How did Maren and Tom get started with Luna Valley...
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327. Urban Farming for Food Justice: Devon Wilson on Sunlight Gardens
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
How can urban farming transform communities and increase access to fresh, local food? In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we’re joined by Devon Wilson, founder and farmer of Sunlight Gardens, a two-acre organic urban farm in Battle Creek, Michigan. Devon started Sunlight Gardens to increase access to fresh, local food and inspire the next generation of farmers through their fresh corner store, community events, and Farm Squad youth program. Devon’s passion for food justice stems from personal experience—witnessing multiple family members struggle with diet-related illnesses....
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326. Reinventing Beef: Justin Pettit on Santa Carota’s Carrot-Finished Cattle
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
How does carrot-finished beef set a new standard for flavor and sustainability? In this episode, we’re joined by Justin Pettit, third-generation rancher and co-founder of Santa Carota Beef—the only grass-fed, carrot-finished beef on the market. By finishing cattle on a 95% carrot-based diet, Justin has crafted a nutrient-rich, flavorful beef that’s earned praise from top chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Gordon Ramsay. Tune in to hear how Justin is redefining high-quality beef with a focus on sustainability, nutrition, and exceptional taste! Episode Highlights: Ranching Roots: How did...
info_outlineHow can homesteaders successfully raise dairy sheep for milk, fiber, and more?
In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael welcomes Rachel Hester, sustainable sheep farmer and author of The Guide to Homestead Dairy Sheep. Rachel and her husband, Kyle, started farming in 2017 after purchasing an abused, foreclosed 8-acre property. Passionate about sustainable farming and inspired by her family’s health journey, Rachel advocates for the benefits of sheep-based products like milk, wool, and heirloom-quality textiles, blending tradition with modern farm life.
Whether you’re considering dairy sheep for your farm or just curious about their role in sustainable agriculture, this episode is packed with insights!
Episode Highlights:
- Getting Started: How did Rachel begin her sheep farming journey? [1:00]
- Breed Selection: What are the best dairy-specific sheep? [3:10]
- Lamb Nutrition: How does Rachel ensure proper nutrition? [11:08]
- Mixed Breeds: Why does she maintain a diverse flock? [14:44]
- Parasite Management: What strategies help keep her flock healthy? [18:02]
- Marketing & Sales: How does she sell sheep products like milk and wool? [23:00]
- Challenges & Realities: Who is homestead sheep farming not for? [37:49]
Don’t miss Rachel’s insights on choosing the right dairy sheep breeds, managing parasites in a small flock, and how sheep milk and wool can add value to a homestead farm.
About the Guest:
Rachel Hester is the author of The Guide to Homestead Dairy Sheep, the only book in print dedicated to raising sheep for milk. Based in Central Kentucky, she and her family manage an 8.5-acre homestead with a flock of 20-30 sheep. Passionate about the benefits of sheep milk and wool, Rachel also handspins and knits wool into heirloom-quality textiles.
Connect with Rachel Hester:
- Website: Whoopsy Daisy Farm
- Her Book: The Guide to Homestead Dairy Sheep
- Instagram: Follow Whoopsy Daisy Farm
- Facebook: Like Whoopsy Daisy Farm
- YouTube: Subscribe to Whoopsy Daisy Farm
The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, Seedtime!
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