Dawn's Dirt

In this episode of Dawn's Dirt, I sit down with ranch mama and Sales Mama School founder, Sausha Davis, to talk about what it really looks like to build a business when you've got kids, cows and a whole lot of chaos. We get into her leap from a miserable six-figure corporate job into coaching, how she structures her days on the ranch so she doesn't burn out, and why she believes every woman can create her own income stream—whether that's beef boxes, horses, or farm to table sales. Sausha breaks down her "people before profit" approach to sales, the four buyer personalities every farmer and maker needs to know, and why proof of concept matters more than perfect logos or pretty branding. If you're a farm girl, homesteader or side-hustling mama who's sick of waiting for permission, this episode will light a fire under your butt in the best way. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: women in agriculture, ranch mom entrepreneur, farm to table business, women in farming, rural business coaching, sales coaching for farmers, ranch life motherhood, homestead business tips, buyer personality types, small farm marketing, online business for moms, farm to consumer sales, mindset for women entrepreneurs, building confidence in business, sustainable ranching business strategies Takeaways:  Your energy and routines set the tone for your whole farm and business Kids watching you work is a gift, not a problem Entrepreneurship is available to every woman in some form You are the catalyst for change in your life Selling gets easier when you understand different buyer personalities Proof of concept matters more than perfect branding at the start People before profit naturally creates more profit over time   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Sausha's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/salesmamaschool  Sausha's Website | https://salesmama.biz/  Sausha's YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@salesmamaschool  The Sales Mama Podcast | https://open.spotify.com/show/3kzoSWTu2sVbZDPSVD9Lfj?si=4284f21abbe846d5&nd=1&dlsi=fa2ec505bf054611 ______________________________________________ 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!    Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/    Dawn Dirt's Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/   Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/    ______________________________________________ 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 dig into the shocking reality of what small farmers are up against in Canada right now—from health inspectors threatening to shut down egg sales to the CFIA killing an entire flock of healthy ostriches simply because the rule book said so. I share real stories from my own farm, greenhouse, and markets to show how red tape, inconsistent regulations, and plain old government overreach are pushing everyday farmers out while turning food freedom into a maze designed to scare people away from getting started. But there's hope—and power—when you learn how to think creatively, build local networks, and reclaim your part in the food system. If you've ever wondered why farm-to-table feels "risky," or if you've felt called to grow food but fear the bureaucracy… this episode connects the dots you need to see. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: government overreach in farming, CFIA ostrich cull, ostrich massacre Canada, raw milk laws Canada, farm to table business, farmers market fraud, small farm regulations, Canadian food bureaucracy, egg regulations Alberta, local food systems, food freedom Canada, know your farmer   ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: raw milk Canada, farm to table business, CFIA overreach, ostrich farm culling, small farm regulations, Canada dairy quota, farmers market resellers, Health Canada cloned meat, food freedom, backyard chickens, local food systems, government bureaucracy in farming Takeaways:  You don't have to let bureaucracy stop you from farming or selling food Knowing your local farmers is now a non-negotiable part of real food security Cheap grocery store food comes at the cost of small farms, quality and independence Creative thinking inside the rules can keep you compliant and still profitable Backyard gardens and chickens are powerful tools against food system control Supporting real farmers today is how you secure your family's options tomorrow You can turn almost any piece of land into a small farm-to-table business   ______________________________________________ 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!    Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/    Dawn Dirt's Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/   Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/    ______________________________________________ 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 sixth-generation Wisconsin dairy farmer Tristan Swartz, the man behind "Doing It Wrong Dairy," to talk about what right really looks like in farming. We go deep into old-school dairying, why he still milks in a stanchion barn with "outdated" equipment, and how leaving calves on their mamas actually improves health, production, and peace in the herd. Tristan shares how community used to work in rural life—neighbors just showing up with tractors when you were in trouble—and why he refuses to trade integrity for corporate convenience. We also pull back the curtain on raw milk laws, COVID butchering insanity, and how creative farmers are quietly outsmarting bureaucratic rules to keep families fed.    If you're craving proof that small, scrappy, values-driven farms can feed a community and push back on a broken food system, this conversation will light a fire under you. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: farm childhood, old-school equipment, calves-with-mamas, community support, work ethic, side hustles, raw milk laws, food control, resilience, creativity, regenerative farming, food freedom Takeaways:  Farming doesn't feel like work when it's who you are Old equipment and "doing it wrong" can still be profitable Leaving calves with their mothers can improve health and behavior Community support on the land is worth more than fancy machines Creativity lets farmers work within the rules without betraying their values Our food system is about control and dollars, not always health Real change starts when ordinary farmers and eaters simply say "no"   ______________________________________________ Links & Resources Mentioned   Tristan's Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/doitwrongdairy    ______________________________________________ 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!    Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn Dirt's Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/    ______________________________________________ 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 Kelli Foreman of Kodiak Goat Dairy, fifth-generation farmer on a storm-tossed Alaskan island,where one day you're milking A2/A2 cows and the next you're shaking a green bucket at a bear. We get real about building true food security when the boats don't come, finishing beef on kelp, running a micro raw-milk dairy the right way, and raising farm kids who can actually do hard things. We talk about community bartering over bureaucracy, making soil from manure on a literal rock, and why resilience isn't a slogan, it's a system you build at home with your neighbors. If you crave a life where food, family, and freedom actually mean something again, this one's your roadmap—with laughter, grit, and zero fluff. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: kodiak island, raw milk, a2/a2 dairy, goat dairy, food security, kelp-finished beef, farm kids, farmers market, compost soil, micro dairy, barter economy, community resilience Takeaways:  Resilience starts local—feed your own community first Empty shelves are normal there; systems must assume storms Kelp and grass can finish beef beautifully Raw milk done right requires rigorous cleanliness Barter and relationships beat red tape Make soil, make food—close the loop Do it messy, then refine as you go   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Kelli's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/kodiakgoatdairy/  Kelli's Website | https://www.thelastsmallfarm.com/  Kelli's YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@thelastsmallfarm  ______________________________________________ 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!  Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn Dirt's Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/    ______________________________________________ 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 Trent Koehn from GreenEase to talk real farm business—how SOPs, culture, and faith turn chaos into profit, and how tiny, daily improvements can 3x your yields without selling your soul to the system. We get into lean farming, hiring right, and why problems should make you smile—because they're roadmaps to better processes, safer teams, and healthier greens. Trent shares how his family greenhouse bounced back after COVID restaurant drop-offs, why they now keep ~50¢ on the dollar, and the nerdy-but-sexy oxygen trick that crushes root rot in hydroponics. If you care about farm-to-table, small-scale profitability, servant leadership, and building tools that actually help farmers, this one's for you ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: farm-to-table, hydroponic greenhouse, lean farming, SOPs, standard operating procedures, farm profitability, servant leadership, faith in business, dissolved oxygen, pythium/root rot, plug poppers & drop seeders, small-farm innovation Takeaways:  Tiny improvements compounded daily beat big swings SOPs create freedom, safety, and consistency Culture is a strategy when leaders lift people up Checklists first, then SOPs for complex tasks Track root causes, not people, to fix problems Oxygenation can solve hydroponic disease at the root Profitability follows focus, process, and servant leadership   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Trent's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/greenease.us/  Trent's Website | https://greenease.us/  Trent's YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreenEase  2 Second Lean by Paul Akers | https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/2-second-lean-play/id1503694993  ______________________________________________ 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!    Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ Dawn Dirt's Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/    ______________________________________________ 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 Abey from Ruckle Farm to dig into her new book, Radical Farm: Animals, Food, and Our Future. We get real about why well-sourced animal foods support human health, animal welfare, and the land, and how to bridge the "vegans vs. ranchers" divide with curiosity instead of name-calling. Abey shares her journey from teen vegetarian to animal farmer, the ethics behind "there is no deathless diet," and practical homesteading know-how—from raw milk and cheese making to raising chickens, sheep, and cattle. We talk Victory Gardens, kids' nutrition, the true cost of food, and rebuilding resilient local food systems. If you care about nutrient-dense meals, regenerative agriculture, and taking back your food sovereignty, this one's for you. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: faith-farming-freedom, ethical meat, raw milk, regenerative agriculture, Ruckle Farm, Salt Spring Island, nutrient-dense eating, homesteading 101, Victory Gardens, kids' real food, grocery labels vs. reality, farm-to-table sales Takeaways:  There is no deathless diet—own your choices Well-raised animal foods can benefit land, animals, and people Start small: herbs, a microgarden, or six backyard hens Victory Garden math still works for modern families Labels mislead—know your farmer and ask questions Budget by growing some food and prioritizing protein Curiosity builds bridges; outrage burns them   ______________________________________________   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  Abey's Book | https://www.radicalfarmbook.com/  Abey's Substack | https://abeyonthefarm.substack.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! ______________________________________________   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!    Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/  Dawn Dirt's Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/    ______________________________________________ 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 real about a hard question: if things go sideways, how are you feeding your family? I share what I learned selling farm boxes through 2020, why "I'll just come to your place" isn't a plan, and how small, steady action now (gardens, chickens, CSAs, real relationships with real farmers) builds food sovereignty fast. I talk backyard growing (even on a tiny lot), microgreens you can crank out in a spare corner all winter, and why supporting your farmer today is the best "insurance" for tomorrow. This isn't fear porn, it's love in work boots. I love people, and the most loving thing I can do is teach you to feed yourselves, your kids, and your neighbors. We the people have the power; let's use it with courage, community, and a shovel. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: food sovereignty, backyard gardens, microgreens at home, chickens in the city, CSA memberships, buying from real farmers, cutting out middlemen, building local community, preparing without panic, faith and responsibility, small-scale farm sales, proactive not reactive Takeaways:  Don't outsource your survival Start a garden now, not "someday" Microgreens can feed you year-round indoors Support actual farmers directly, not resellers Join or launch a CSA to strengthen ties Build real relationships with neighbours today Preparation is love in action   ______________________________________________ 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!    Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/    Dawn Dirt's Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/   Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/    ______________________________________________ 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 Brittney Long from Faithful Farming to get real about raising kids, running cattle, holding full-time careers, and keeping Jesus at the center of it all. We talk high beef prices, why younger families struggle to enter agriculture, and how local, direct-to-consumer sales can rewrite the food system. Brittany shares the power of a strong village—Papa Day included—plus why teaching kids to "do dangerous things safely" builds grit and confidence. We dig into prayerful decision-making on buying land, the reality behind glossy homestead feeds, and why community, church, and farmers' markets are bringing food back home. If you care about faith, family, and food sovereignty, this one's for you.   ______________________________________________ Episode Highlights: family farming, faith-led decisions, black angus cattle, mom guilt, village support, kids & machinery, work ethic, local food systems, direct marketing, beef market realities, prayer in business, farmers' markets Takeaways:  Build a village and use it Lead with faith when making business decisions Teach kids responsibility through real farm work Question the big food system and buy local Social media builds trust and repeat customers Routine beats overwhelm on busy family farms Ask mentors for help and start small ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Brittney's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithful_farming/  Brittney's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@faithful_farming?_t=ZT-8z1SBwHzrdV&_r=1 ______________________________________________   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 bringing you a powerhouse conversation with a farm-grown entrepreneur who's shaking up the food system in the best way possible. From her roots on a multi-generation farm in Northern Alberta to launching an app that's basically "Skip the Dishes for farmers," she's proof that innovation doesn't just live in Silicon Valley—it lives in the soil. She is the founder of Weat Local Market App. We talk about building a local food economy that actually serves both producers and consumers, how to cut out the middlemen and bureaucracy, and why hyper-local shopping is the future. Whether you're a farmer, homesteader, or a busy mama who wants fresh food without the grocery store games, this episode is going to light you up. Let's get real about how we buy food, who we support, and why healthier, fresher, local food is not just possible—it's necessary. ______________________________________________   Episode Highlights: farm-to-table, food freedom, local economy, entrepreneurship, digital tools, farmers markets, hyperlocal shopping, bureaucracy, healthier food, producer empowerment, community building, farm innovation Takeaways:  Farmers are the original entrepreneurs Local food can and should be as easy to buy as takeout Cutting out middlemen gives power back to producers Hyper-local shopping strengthens community economies Food loses nutrition the farther it travels Apps and tools can revolutionize farmers markets Supporting local food supports your own resilience   ______________________________________________   Links & Resources Mentioned   Weat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weat.local.market/  Weat Local Market Website: https://weat.ca/  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 "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 Abey Scaglione from Ruckle Heritage Farm and holy smokes, this one is a gem. Abey 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. Abey 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