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331. Soil, Stewardship & Safe Food: Kyle Becker on Growing Becker Farms

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

Release Date: 04/30/2025

346. Running a Year-Round Farm Market with Emma de Long show art 346. Running a Year-Round Farm Market with Emma de Long

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we’re taking this break, we’re excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they’re helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey. What does it really take to run a small, year-round local market? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down with Emma de Long of Kneehigh Farm to...

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345. Managing 600+ Crop Varieties at Amber Waves Farm show art 345. Managing 600+ Crop Varieties at Amber Waves Farm

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we’re taking this break, we’re excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they’re helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey.   What does it take to plan, grow, and manage more than 600 crop varieties each year? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down again with Katie...

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344: The One-Cow Revolution with Shawn and Beth Dougherty show art 344: The One-Cow Revolution with Shawn and Beth Dougherty

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we’re taking this break, we’re excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they’re helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey.  Can one grass-fed cow truly become the heart of a food-independent farm? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down with Shawn and Beth...

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343. Reviving Flax: A Zero Waste Crop with Emma de Long show art 343. Reviving Flax: A Zero Waste Crop with Emma de Long

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we’re taking this break, we’re excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they’re helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey. How can flax become a sustainable, versatile crop for modern farms? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down with Emma de Long of Kneehigh Farm to...

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342. Managing a 24-Person Farm Team with Amber Waves Farm show art 342. Managing a 24-Person Farm Team with Amber Waves Farm

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we’re taking this break, we’re excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they’re helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey. How do you build—and keep—a thriving farm team? On this special Farm in Focus episode, Michael is joined by Katie Baldwin and Amanda Merrow,...

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341. From Chef to Community Farmer: Julie Warpinski of Rosewood Farm show art 341. From Chef to Community Farmer: Julie Warpinski of Rosewood Farm

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

What does it take to turn six acres into a destination for food, flowers, and connection?  On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael talks with Julie Warpinski, founder of Rosewood Farm in Sugar Grove, Illinois. Drawing on her background as a chef, Julie has transformed six acres into a vibrant destination for seasonal produce, fresh flowers, and memorable events. From CSA programs and farm camps to weddings and cooking classes, Rosewood blends the beauty of farm life with the joy of gathering. In this episode, you’ll hear: From Kitchen to Field – How Julie’s culinary...

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340. Preserving Heritage Through Olives: Karmel Abufarha on Canaan Palestine show art 340. Preserving Heritage Through Olives: Karmel Abufarha on Canaan Palestine

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

How can farming protect culture and sustain communities in the midst of conflict? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Karmel Abufarha, Marketing Manager of Canaan Palestine. Since 2013, Karmel has worked alongside his father and Palestinian smallholder farmers to create a route-to-market for ancient olive groves and traditional crops. What started as a local effort to safeguard livelihoods has grown into a global movement, connecting Palestinian farmers with consumers who value sustainability, social responsibility, and regenerative practices. Tune in to hear how Karmel...

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339. The Beekeeper’s Apothecary: Kaylee Richardson on Herbs, Homesteading & Honey Bees show art 339. The Beekeeper’s Apothecary: Kaylee Richardson on Herbs, Homesteading & Honey Bees

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

What happens when we slow down, listen to nature, and “learn something old”? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Kaylee Richardson, Virginia-based herbalist, beekeeper, and author of The Beekeeper’s Apothecary. With roots in Appalachia and a heart for old-world wisdom, Kaylee shares her journey from the medical field to full-time homesteading. Tune in to learn how she integrates herbalism and beekeeping to build a thriving, intentional lifestyle—and how you can begin to “learn something old” each day. In this episode, you’ll hear: Getting...

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338. Behind the Scenes with Michael Kilpatrick: A Conversation with Rodger Wasson show art 338. Behind the Scenes with Michael Kilpatrick: A Conversation with Rodger Wasson

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

What happens when the interviewer becomes the guest? This week on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, the mic flips as Rodger Wasson, longtime advocate for farmers and host of the Farm to Table Talk Podcast, interviews our own Michael Kilpatrick. From behind-the-scenes systems to current hurdles, Rodger dives deep into the day-to-day of Michael’s farm, business, and mindset as a leader in the regenerative agriculture space. Tune in for a rare peek into what’s working (and what’s not) at the Farm on Central farm and store — and why Michael remains committed to helping small farms succeed....

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337. Farm4Profit on Profitable Farming and Smart Stewardship show art 337. Farm4Profit on Profitable Farming and Smart Stewardship

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

What happens when two forward-thinking Iowa farmers team up to help others grow better businesses? This week on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Tanner Winterhof and Corey Hillebo, hosts of the Farm4Profit Podcast. With backgrounds in finance, crop and livestock production, and agribusiness leadership, Tanner and Corey are on a mission to help farmers treat their operations like profitable, resilient businesses. Through the Farm4Profit platform, they share tools, technology, and mindset shifts to help farms succeed in today’s complex ag economy. Tune in to hear how they...

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More Episodes

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, responsible stewardship, and producing nutrient-dense food, the Beckers are committed to providing safe, high-quality products to their community.

Tune in to hear how Kyle balances farming, veterinary work, and family life — and why soil health is at the root of it all.

 

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

  •  Farm beginnings: Kyle shares the story behind Becker Farms and their mission to raise safe, healthy meats [1:32]
  • Land and livestock: How they manage their acreage and raise multiple animal proteins [11:50]
  • USDA challenges: Kyle’s perspective on the regulatory hurdles farmers face [18:53]
  • Indiana regulations: The specific rules that impact their farm operations [27:52]
  • Bird flu impacts: How Becker Farms navigated the challenges of avian influenza outbreaks [28:38]
  • Turkey production: What raising and marketing turkeys looks like on their farm [36:34]
  • Marketing strategies: How Becker Farms connects with customers through farmers markets and online sales [39:56]
  • Words of wisdom: Kyle’s advice for beginning farmers and lessons learned along the way [49:53]

Don’t miss this episode if you’re curious about building a diversified livestock operation and creating a meaningful connection with your community through high-quality, local food!

Connect with Becker Farms:

🌍 Website: Becker Farms
📸 Instagram: Follow Becker Farms
📖 Facebook: Like Becker Farms

 

About the Guest:

Kyle Becker is the owner of Becker Farms in northeast Henry County, Indiana, where he and his wife, Emily, raise beef, pork, poultry, and eggs with a focus on soil health and environmental stewardship. Raised on a livestock and grain farm in Wayne County, Kyle developed a love for farming early on and pursued his passion through a B.S. in Animal Science and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Purdue University.

Alongside farming, Kyle serves as a food animal veterinarian for Heritage Vet Partners, working with dairy and beef farms across Indiana and Ohio. Since founding Becker Farms in 2007, Kyle and Emily have expanded their offerings and built a loyal customer base at farmers markets and through local delivery. Their mission is simple but powerful: to grow nutrient-dense, responsibly raised food while improving the land for future generations.

 

The Thriving Farmer Podcast would like to thank our sponsor, GRIPP. 

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