Dawn's Dirt

In this episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sit down with “Young Cole,” a 21-year-old Alberta farm kid who took his grit overseas to learn regenerative farming in Finland. We jam on real-world soil health, cover crops, EU pesticide rules (yes, glyphosate is used, but differently), and what small, mixed farms can borrow from Europe without swallowing the red tape. Cole breaks down nitrogen-fixing legumes, why Finland’s tiny, rocky fields shape their practices, and how government subsidies change farmer behavior—for better and worse. We also talk about food sovereignty, farm-to-table realities, and how a few chickens and a plan can change a family’s future. It’s practical, hopeful, and a little mouthy—just how we like it. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: young farmer grit, regenerative farming, cover crops, soil microbiome, nitrogen fixation, EU pesticide rules, government subsidies, small-scale profitability, mixed farming, farm-to-table, food sovereignty, Alberta vs Finland Takeaways:  Regenerative ≠ organic; it’s a long-game soil strategy Legumes fix nitrogen via root nodules to feed future crops EU allows glyphosate but not as a pre-harvest desiccant for human grain Subsidies shape behavior; control the money, control the farm Small fields, wet climate, and rocks drive Finnish methods Mixed farms can stack value by grazing and hay in rotation Start tiny (five chickens) and build consistent, direct relationships   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/   ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I’ve been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land — selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it’s garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I’ll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let’s talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let’s get started! Book Your FREE Call Today!    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In this episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I celebrate EPISODE 50 with a big ol’ thank-you and my heart on my sleeve. I share the best business advice I ever got and how handing my farm and this show back to the Lord lifted the weight and sharpened my mission. You’ll hear my greenhouse-to-farmers-market journey, why I sold the farm, and how that pivot lit a fire to teach farm-to-table, build community, and put real food (and freedom) back in our own hands. We’ll riff on productivity with purpose, sowing into people, and why small, local action beats top-down control every time. If you’re carrying your business alone, this one will feel like a deep breath and a marching order. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: Episode 50, gratitude, faith-led business, talk to the Owner, selling the farm, 36k sq ft greenhouse, farmers markets, people over politics, food freedom, community building, teaching farm-to-table, productive on purpose Takeaways:  The most freeing CEO move is giving the business back to God When stuck, “talk to the Owner” and ask for marching orders Productivity means giving, producing, risking, and sowing into people Selling a chapter can be obedience, not failure Real food and real freedom grow locally, not bureaucratically Relationships are the real ROI of any business Teach others what you know so communities feed themselves ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/   ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I’ve been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land — selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it’s garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I’ll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let’s talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let’s get started! Book Your FREE Call Today!    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In this episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sit down with Jason from Sow the Land, a North Carolina homesteader who went from city cubicles to pasture life and brought his family, grit, and 300K YouTube subscribers along for the ride. We talk cancer wake-up calls, minimalist living, selling the couch to chase land, and why growing even one tomato can change your whole life. Jason shares how they scaled from a 1.5-acre starter homestead to 14 acres with turkeys, cooney cooney pigs, pasture poultry, workshops, and a thriving online education business. We get real about entrepreneurship, bartering with neighbors, moving animals daily, and choosing meaningful work over easy money. If you’re itching to start where you are, even in a city backyard, this one lights a fire under your boots. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: homestead beginnings, cancer to catalyst, minimalist reset, leap of faith, starter homestead, 14-acre expansion, cooney cooney pigs, pasture poultry, turkey raising, hands-on workshops, YouTube education, community barter Takeaways:  Start where you are…front yard, borrowed yard, anywhere One tomato plant can change your life Go all in and learn fast from failure Say yes early to discover what you love Move animals often to heal soil and grow better meat Community and bartering make the lifestyle sustainable Fulfillment beats easy money every time   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Jason’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sowtheland/  Jason’s Website: https://sowtheland.com/  Sow the Land YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SowtheLand  ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/   ______________________________________________   Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I’ve been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land — selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it’s garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I’ll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let’s talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let’s get started! Book Your FREE Call Today!    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sit down with Brooke Vanderkley from Vanderkley Valley Farm, a mama of four, farmer, and full-tilt entrepreneur about building a profitable, values-driven homestead without burning out. We jam on seasons over “balance,” scaling from 30 to 600 meat birds, pricing eggs like a pro, pivoting after hail wipes you out, and turning a farm into a family-powered brand with agritourism, Airbnb and (yup) shampoo sales. If you’re ready to stop dabbling and start designing a farm-to-table business that actually pays, this one’s your marching orders.   ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: seasons not balance, scaling meat chickens, soy & corn free eggs, premium pricing, agritourism & glamping, 5am routines, serving over selling, involving kids, grocery-store marketing, pivoting after setbacks, renting land in town, team-first leadership Takeaways:  Build in seasons, not “balance” Pick a profitable lane before adding more Price for value, not guilt Market relentlessly and locally Differentiate (e.g., soy/corn-free) to stand out Involve your kids and protect family time Think beyond products: add experiences and education   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned Brook’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookevanderkley/  Brooke’s Website: https://vanderkleyvalleyfarm.ca/  ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/   ______________________________________________   Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I’ve been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land — selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it’s garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I’ll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let’s talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let’s get started! Book Your FREE Call Today!    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I’m pouring my heart out about food freedom, the farmer’s mindset, and why small-scale agriculture just might save the world. We’re talking grit, government overreach, and how the heck we got from homemade buns to preservative-filled grocery store shelves. I share wild stories from my farming days—broken bones, tornadoes, angry sheepdogs—you name it. But more importantly, I’m sounding the alarm (again!) that small farmers are being pushed out, and now is the time to rise. Whether you’ve got a backyard garden or a quarter section, you’ve got the power to feed your family, your community, and take back control. Let’s get loud about local food, y’all. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: food freedom, small farmers, grocery store bureaucracy, Canada GAP certification, farm to table sales, farmer grit, government overreach, climate mandates, dairy quotas, big ag vs. small ag, debt-free farming, raising farm kids Takeaways:  Small-scale farming is vital for food security Bureaucracy often favors large farms over local ones You don’t need massive land to start a farm business Farming builds grit and a different kind of work ethic Buying direct from farmers supports freedom Big farms are more vulnerable to government pressure You can build a profitable farm-to-table business without debt ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/   ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I’ve been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land — selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it’s garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I’ll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let’s talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let’s get started! Book Your FREE Call Today!    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In this episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I’m in the hot seat and my friend Hayley is firing off the questions—no sugarcoating, just real dirt. We dig into the myths about homesteading (spoiler: those pretty colored eggs aren’t paying the bills), why vegetables are the most overlooked cash crop, and the brutal truth about making your acreage profitable. I share how women can crush it in farm-based businesses, the one mindset shift hobby farmers must make to go pro, and why community is at the heart of everything I do. We talk failures, firing stories, black markets in Cuba, and my dream for more small farmers feeding their communities. This is raw, funny, a little fiery, and packed with the kind of farm truth you won’t find on Pinterest. Whether you’re dreaming of chickens or ready to scale your garden into a business, this episode will light a fire under your boots. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: colored egg myths, vegetable production profits, entrepreneurship on small acreage, women in farming, community over competition, Cuba’s producer culture, hard truths of homesteading, profitable farm mindset, running it like a business, overcoming industry stereotypes, my dad’s farming legacy, feeding people in tough times Takeaways:  Pretty doesn’t pay—production does Vegetables can be the most profitable crop You don’t need a big acreage to succeed Mindset shift from hobby to business is essential Women can and do run successful farms Community connection is as valuable as profit Your farm must pencil out to survive   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/   ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I’ve been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land — selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it’s garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I’ll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let’s talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let’s get started!   Book Your FREE Call Today!   ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I’m spilling my hard-earned secrets on turning canning into cold, hard cash. From humble beginnings as the “Pickle Partners” at age 15 to raking in $150K a year in canned goods, I’m breaking down exactly how you can turn extra zucchini, tomatoes, or fruit into high-value products your customers will line up for. I’ll share the best low-risk items to start with, why beautiful displays sell more, and how to price for profit. We’ll talk canning tips, smart marketing, navigating those pesky health regulations, and how even city-dwellers can run a homestead side hustle right from their kitchen. Whether you’re sitting on a bumper crop or just want a sustainable income stream, this episode will light a fire under your entrepreneurial apron. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: canning for profit, value added farming, turning surplus produce into income, best-selling canned goods, pricing strategies for farmers markets, low-risk canning items, making products shelf-stable, marketing and display tips, sourcing ingredients, starting small and scaling, navigating food safety rules, building loyal customers Takeaways:  You can start a profitable canning business with as few as 12 jars Value adding transforms $2 produce into $10+ products Start with low-risk, high-acid or high-sugar items for safety Beautiful, abundant displays sell more product Mix-and-match pricing encourages larger purchases Be transparent with customers about where ingredients come from You don’t need a farm to run a home-based canning business ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/   ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In this episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I get grilled by none other than Jamie Stewart—the poop queen herself! Jamie flips the script and puts me in the hot seat with questions about pesticides, glyphosate, raw milk, GMOs, soil health, and the messed-up reality of food regulations. We talk about how farmers actually make decisions, what’s realistic vs. ideological, and why the truth often lies somewhere in the muddy middle. We cover everything from butterfly worms in your cabbage to bird flu conspiracies, raw goat milk in my coffee, and why I’d never call the CFIA. If you’ve ever wondered what the heck is really going on with our food system, this one’s for you. It’s gritty, it’s real, and there’s a whole lotta dirt—pun intended. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: pesticides, soil health, food freedom, bureaucracy in farming, CSA support, bird flu, glyphosate truth, Roundup desiccation, raw milk benefits, backyard chickens, seed myths, regenerative farming, food system control Takeaways:  Most farmers don’t want to spray unless they have to “Organic” doesn’t always mean no spraying—it just means certified inputs Backyard chickens + scraps = rich yolks and healthy eggs Raw milk can be incredibly healing for the gut Supporting local farmers shifts the food system Big farms are a symptom of broken policy, not villainy Ideals are great—but practicality keeps the lights on   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Jessica’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/constipationfixqueen/    ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In this episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sit down with Rebecca Croden, a backyard gardening queen right in the heart of Toronto. We get into everything from shady yard solutions to tomato troubles and even how to use rabbit poop as plant food. Yes, you read that right. Whether you’re a city slicker with a patch of grass or just garden-curious, this one’s for you. Rebecca shares how her grandpa’s farm sparked her passion and how growing a few heads of lettuce can lead to major satisfaction (and salad victories). We chat compost, crop choices, pests, and why you might want to grow microgreens in a tent all winter. This is real talk for anyone who wants to eat better, spend less, and grow something worth harvesting, even in the shade. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: backyard gardening, food cost savings, shady crop tips, composting basics, tomato pruning, pest control, rabbit deterrents, microgreens, crop rotation, organic sprays, permaculture, crochet business Takeaways:  Cold weather crops like kale and lettuce thrive in shady spots Trimming tomato leaves helps encourage fruiting over foliage Compost needs to be turned to decompose properly Bunny poop tea is a surprisingly effective plant fertilizer Investing in a grow tent can save money long term Organic sprays still exist—but physical barriers like netting also work Grow high-value crops in small gardens to maximize savings ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Rebecca’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccas.crochet.culture/  Rebecca’s Website: https://crochetculture.ca/  ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sat down with Abby Scaglione from Ruckle Heritage Farm and holy smokes, this one is a gem. Abby went from California vegetarian to regenerative meat and dairy farmer on Salt Spring Island. We got into everything, raw milk (yes, the illegal kind), orange-yolked eggs, pastured chickens, garden scraps, and how animals are vital to real sustainability. Abby shares her full-circle story of reclaiming her health, getting back to the land, and raising animals with deep reverence. We dive into the real meaning of local, the illusion of grocery store “freshness,” and why everyone should be a producer in some way. Whether you farm or just eat, this episode will challenge your beliefs and inspire your next bite. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: raw dairy, nutrient-dense food, pastured poultry, farm life, regenerative agriculture, reconnecting to your food, animal ethics, local food systems, agritourism, egg quality, food freedom, sustainable living Takeaways:  There is no such thing as a deathless diet Raw dairy can nourish and heal in powerful ways True regenerative farming is a full-circle system Pastured animals produce better food and healthier land Real food comes from relationships, not barcodes Farm tours can heal the disconnect between city and soil Every person can become a producer in their own way ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Abey’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abeyonthefarm/  Ruckel Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rucklefarm/  Ruckle Farm Website: https://rucklefarmsaltspringisland.com/  Abey’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abeyonthefarm  ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sat down with Becky from Toby Way Farm and oh baby, did we go there. We’re talking raw, real farm life: goat guts, chicken math, and why your organic ideology might be killing your animals (not to mention your wallet). Becky and I don’t sugarcoat things because life on a homestead isn’t Pinterest-perfect, it’s dirty, hard, heartbreaking, and 100% worth it. We dig into goat parasites, feed decisions, farm math, and what it really means to be a modern homesteader with integrity. We even get into government overreach, raw milk laws, and why you can eat the Twinkie if you damn well want to. This episode is pure gold for anyone navigating the tension between doing it “right” and doing what actually works. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: goat math, raw milk, organic myths, animal loss, real farming, parasite management, farm-to-table realities, farm community, food freedom, government overreach, holistic animal care, starting small Takeaways:  If you have livestock, you’re going to have dead stock Parasite management in goats is essential and requires learning, not guessing Organic doesn’t always mean better—it has to make financial sense Community is key—barter, trade, and connect with local farmers Chickens are not vegetarians—stop pretending they are Real homesteading isn’t perfect, it’s practical Grace is just as important as grit on the farm   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Becky’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toby_way_farm/  Becky’s Website: https://www.tobywayfarm.com/  Becky’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TobyWayFarm ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sit down with Chef Mikey from Chef’s Harvest Farm—a total character and an absolute legend in the urban farming world out of Knoxville, Tennessee. Y’all, this man turned his backyard into a full-blown vegetable empire and is making a six-figure living growing salad greens. From slinging veggies under his cubicle desk to supplying top-tier resorts and chefs, Mikey breaks down exactly how he did it with grit, strategy, and heart. We talk community, soil, seasonal eating, and why lettuce from Peru just ain’t it. This episode will light a fire under anyone with a backyard and a dream. Get ready to be inspired, laugh a little, and maybe cry (just a little) over celery. Let’s get dirty! ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: urban farming, backyard business, chef turned farmer, salad greens, seasonal eating, local food systems, food security, farm to table, farming burnout, hiring help, farming in the South, community over competition Takeaways:  You don’t need a giant farm to make a living—just a plan and some grit Salad greens can be a high-profit crop when grown smart Know your market and tailor your crops accordingly High-quality produce sells itself when it’s fresh and local Build community with chefs, neighbors, and fellow farmers Document your journey from day one to grow your brand Hiring help early can prevent burnout and accelerate growth ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Chef Mikey’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefsharvestfarmllc/  Chef Mikey’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chefsharvestfarm  ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I’m talking lettuce—but not just any lettuce. I sat down with the incredibly passionate and slightly wild Mackenzie Warford of Papa’s Farm in Newfoundland, where he’s growing top-tier romaine lettuce year-round using a hydroponic system that puts most operations to shame. We dive into his “hippie greenhouse,” his geothermal setup, his zero-pesticide practices, and why he’s dead set on feeding his family and community the highest-quality food possible—without a dime of government funding. We go deep on why Canada’s food system is broken and how local, small-scale farmers like Mackenzie are the solution. If you’ve ever doubted hydroponics, this episode will flip the script and maybe make you crave some crunchy romaine while you’re at it. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: hydroponics, romaine lettuce, food sovereignty, small farm business, greenhouse growing, kids in agriculture, local food systems, nutrient density, Canadian farming, off-grid innovation, gut health, circular economy Takeaways:  You don’t need a massive setup to grow food year-round Hydroponics can be sustainable, ethical, and local Canadian-grown food is essential for national food security Flavor and nutrient density are drastically better when grown locally Small farms can feed entire communities with one crop Government isn’t the solution—community is Kids thrive when raised close to food production   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ MacKenzie’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PapasFarmHydroponics  MacKenzie’s Website: https://www.youtube.com/@papasfarm721  Canadian Hydroponics Association: https://www.can-hydro.com/  ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sit down with my fellow podcast host and tiny farm queen, Mary Lewis, who proves that it’s never too late to bite off more than you can chew and start homesteading. At 50, Mary and her husband left city life behind, bought a slice of land in Minnesota, and built a flourishing market garden, chicken coop, and a community around fresh food. We chat about her journey from a tenth of an acre to a full-blown mini farm, how farm life changes your soul (and your vocabulary), and why the best tomatoes are worth the wait. This episode is a love letter to seasonal eating, grit, community, and the deep magic of a yellow peony on a hard day. If you’ve ever doubted whether you can start growing food where you are—this one will light a fire under your boots. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: tiny farm dreams, chickens & tomatoes, moving at 50, seasonal eating, farmers market hustle, introvert homesteading, garden joy, loss on the farm, ISA Browns, community building, soil not ownership, small acts of kindness Takeaways:  You’re never too old to start homesteading A tenth of an acre can feel like a prison or a paradise ISA Browns are the MVPs of egg production Good tomatoes are worth the extra effort You don’t need to own land to grow food Grief, loss, and predators are part of farm life Growing and giving food builds community ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Mary’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.tiny.homestead?igsh=aGZpOWp1c2Vtcmtz   Mary’s Website: https://www.atinyhomestead.com/  Mary’s Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a-tiny-homestead/id1717248579  ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sit down with 25-year-old firecracker farmer Brandie from Suni Bear Farms in Alabama—and y’all, this girl is the real deal. We talk all things chickens, goats, and building a homestead from scratch with nothing but grit, faith, and a heart for agriculture. Brandie’s not just raising animals and veggies—she’s raising awareness, kindness, and the next generation of farm-loving families through her kindness campaign and ag education classes. From selling eggs to starting a farmstand, she’s doing it all with creativity and courage. Whether you’re knee-deep in chickens or just dreaming of dirty boots and fresh food, this is one episode that’ll light a fire under your overalls. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: young farmers, kindness campaign, farm-to-table, backyard chickens, egg pricing, agritourism, Alabama farming, farmer’s market tips, homestead business, goat farming, vegetable gardening, faith and farming Takeaways:  Start small and grow with what you have Kindness can be a powerful brand Creative thinking is key to farm success Engage customers personally at markets Farming is hard—but deeply rewarding You don’t need a huge farm to make an impact Let faith guide your homesteading journey   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Brandie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunibearfarms/  Brandie Website: https://sunibearfarms.wixsite.com/suni-bearfarms  Brandie’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenardsGoatFarm?mibextid=LQQJ4d  ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, it’s just you, me, and 600 rowdy chickens. I’m giving you the full scoop on how I went from running a 36,000 square foot greenhouse empire to becoming the loud, sunburned, swearin’-in-a-bikini egg lady at the farmers market. We’re talking laying hens, meat birds, DIY brooders, why I chose conventional feed, and how I’m clawing my way back into farm life one chicken shit-covered hand at a time. If you’ve ever dreamed of making money from your land—this is the real, raw, and ridiculously honest truth about what it takes. Spoiler: it’s not pretty, but it’s worth it. Let’s build that next empire, baby. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: homesteading hustle, chickens vs. vegetables, meat bird breeds, egg yolk color myths, infrastructure hacks, farm failures, Joel Salatin inspo, selling eggs at farmers markets, honest farming, small space farming, figuring it out, farm to table tips Takeaways:  Laying hens and meat birds can be profitable with a plan Organic isn’t always better if it doesn’t pencil out You don’t need a barn to start farming—just a tarp shed and grit Real farmers figure it out, even without brooders Transparency builds trust at the farmers market Scaling only works if your systems are dialed in Farming is about relationships, not just production   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/   ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I’m bringing the heat (and the compost) with 10 powerful reasons why EVERYONE should be a homesteader—yes, even you, city girl with the balcony! I break down the myths, the mindset, and the magic of growing your own food no matter where you live. From the rebellious joy of backyard tomatoes to prepping like a boss for doomsday (or just rising food prices), I share why homesteading is no longer a trend—it’s a necessity. I’ve farmed it all: pigs, goats, hens, rabbits, and acres of produce. Now I’m scaling it down and showing YOU how to grow big freedom in small spaces. Whether it’s a planter box or a backyard barnyard, this episode will light the fire in your freedom-loving soul. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: food freedom, generational knowledge, growing anywhere, mental health, self-reliance, kids in the garden, DIY food systems, backyard chickens, saving money, rebellion through gardening, starting small, food as currency Takeaways:  You don’t need a farm to be a homesteader Food freedom equals true independence Relearning grandma’s ways helps future generations Kids gain confidence and pride through gardening Growing your own food is powerful and rebellious Backyard produce tastes better and nourishes deeper Start small—a single pot is all it takes   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/   ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sit down with the beautiful soul behind Moosterizers—Nina from A Thousand Hills—and we go deep on why this isn’t just another skincare company. This is a back-to-the-roots, mama-led, God-honoring, eczema-healing, beef-fat-on-your-face kind of conversation that you don’t want to miss. Nina shares how her son’s health issues led her away from conventional medicine and into a wild journey of healing, homesteading, and launching a thriving tallow-based business—all while raising two boys and running farmers’ markets with her family. We get real about the importance of knowing your source, the power of food and nature as medicine, and why our children are the ultimate WHY behind it all. This one is packed with truth bombs, inspiration, and that homegrown dirt we all need to hear. Get ready to be moved—because this convo might just be the nudge you need to start your own sovereignty story.   ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: tallow skincare, eczema healing, food as medicine, regenerative living, homesteading moms, farmers markets, entrepreneurship, faith in business, creating community, natural parenting, ancestral wisdom, local sourcing Takeaways:  Your health journey can birth your business Always ask where your products come from Nature often has the answers modern medicine doesn’t Teaching kids business builds stronger families Community is built at the farmers market The “why” behind your business fuels the hard days You don’t need to be a farmer to be a producer ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Nina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moosturizer.ab/    ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I get thrown into the hot seat by my friend Dana Maddeaux, a coach for widowed moms—and let me tell you, she didn’t hold back! We dive deep into our shared Dutch roots, our childhood greenhouse memories, and why hard work is stitched into our DNA. Dana shares her powerful story of losing her husband with four tiny kids in tow and how she’s now helping other widows rise again. We also dig into the dirt of food freedom, backyard growing, raising entrepreneurial kids, and why real food and real connection matter more than ever. If you’ve ever felt like you “should be doing more” when it comes to homesteading or feeding your family, this episode is your permission slip to start small, do what you can, and let the guilt go. It’s honest, heartfelt, and filled with all the rich soil of life’s mess and beauty. You’re gonna love it. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: widowhood, gardening tips, Dutch heritage, homesteading, grief and healing, food sovereignty, entrepreneurial kids, microgreens, work ethic, real food, canning and preserving, freedom of choice Takeaways:  You can grow food in any space, even on concrete Microgreens are the easiest way to start growing your own food Lettuce and greens thrive in shady areas and are beginner-friendly Involving kids in gardening teaches work ethic and pride You don’t need to do it all—start small and grow from there Buying directly from farmers helps build a better food system Freedom of choice in food is essential—grace over perfection ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Dana’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daynee_m/reels/    ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I’m bringing you a solo-sode straight from the greenhouse—because today, it’s all about TOMATOES. Yep, we’re getting juicy. From being known as “The Tomato Lady” to running a 36,000 sq ft greenhouse and growing 9+ varieties, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about growing sweet, candy-like tomatoes that people actually love. Whether you’ve got a backyard, a balcony, or a windowsill, I’ll walk you through choosing the right varieties, preventing blossom end rot, pollinating like a pro, and even using black electrical tape to save a broken plant. If you want tomatoes that taste like sunshine and not cardboard, this one’s for you. So let’s get dirty—tomato dirty. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: greenhouse growing, tomato varieties, pollination tips, pruning techniques, preventing blossom end rot, consistent watering, compost and nutrients, saving broken plants, harvesting for flavor, tomato preservation, gardening with kids, balcony gardening Takeaways:  Tomatoes need consistent bottom watering and lots of sun Yellow and orange tomatoes are great for low-acid diets Pollinate within 48 hours or lose fruit quality Stressing your plant actually increases tomato production Calcium and watering are key to preventing blossom end rot Black electrical tape can save a broken plant stem Frozen whole tomatoes can be used later for sauces or soups ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/   ______________________________________________   Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!   ______________________________________________   Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online    ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com