Starting a farm from the ground up isn’t easy—but it’s possible. In this episode, I pulled together stories from beginning farmers who are doing just that. Some bought back family ground. Others started with just a few acres, raising food for their own families and learning as they went. A few had help, and many didn’t. But every single one had to work through doubts, learn from failure, and find their own way forward. These are the stories of grit, family, long days, and the kind of deep belief it takes to build something that lasts. Whether you’re dreaming of your first 10 acres or trying to prove yourself in a family operation, I hope this episode reminds you—you’re not alone, and your story is worth building.

Listen to the full interviews:

Episode #103 Building a Ranch From Scratch: How One Family's Faith and Grit Created Their Legacy

Laura Hicks

www.laurahicks.org

www.instagram.com/laura_a_hicks

www.facebook.com/laura.hicks.1884

Episode #77 How Full Time Farming Works for Winding Creek Farms

Harry Frederick

https://www.facebook.com/windingcreekfarmsKY

www.windingcreekfarms.com

https://www.instagram.com/windingcreekfarms/

https://www.tiktok.com/@windingcreekfarms801

Episode #72 Advice from a First-Generation Farmer on Surviving Trends

Joseph Blakeslee

https://www.tiktok.com/@blakesleeacres?_t=8mBoNynbHVy&_r=1

https://youtube.com/@blakesleeacres?si=ZRrEdeM9xztkVK0A

https://www.facebook.com/share/KeVHkkjHNae61BUq/?mibextid=qi2Omg

https://www.facebook.com/share/4AW7ZtymLMnYGcqq/?mibextid=qi2Omg

Episode #99 Working Full Time While Building Her Farm Dream with Brenna Beard

Brenna Beard

https://www.instagram.com/brennabeardfarms/

https://www.youtube.com/@brennabeardfarms

LINKS

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright:

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

  ”A topic we talk about on the podcast or have talked about several times is the stories that we tell ourselves and how much they matter and shape our daily lives.”

In this episode, I share why the Farming on Purpose podcast is shifting for summer and reflect on the stories we tell ourselves in agriculture. Inspired by The Psychology of Money, I explore how tail events—those rare, life-changing moments—shape our future, and why staying in the game matters more than chasing perfect formulas. It's a heartfelt reminder to keep showing up, even when the path feels uncertain.

Key Topics:

Why the podcast format is shifting for summer

The power of the stories we tell ourselves in farm life and business

Lessons from The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Understanding and responding to "tail events"

The importance of staying in the game during uncertain times

Balancing priorities as a mom, entrepreneur, and farmer

How beliefs and habits shape long-term success in agriculture

LINKS

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Episode 85: Resiliency: The Secret to Success in Farming and Ranching

Episode 37: Looking Beyond Your Starting Point with Karoline Rose Bohannan

Episode 14: Time vs. Money and Opportunity Cost on the Farm

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright:

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

 ”We're not six year olds anymore. We're not children anymore. We're adult children and we're trying to raise our families too and continue a legacy. So there has to be grace on both sides.”

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I visit with Paige Dulaney, a ranch wife and mom of three from northeast Colorado. We talk about balancing motherhood and ranching, the real-life challenges of farm transition, and raising kids to love the land. Paige shares honest insights about building a life in agriculture, bringing kids along for the work, and why open conversations are key to protecting your family's legacy.

Key Topics:

Balancing motherhood, ranch life, and family

Managing cattle across multiple counties

Navigating farm transition with family

Raising kids in agriculture and involving them in daily work

Importance of early conversations about farm succession

Building relationships in agriculture and rural communities

Finding peace with maintaining instead of constant growth

Hope for the future through connection and renewed interest in agriculture

You can find Paige on TikTok for more of her story and a behind-the-scenes look at life on the ranch.

LINKS

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Episode 87: Farm Succession Planning: Securing Your Family's Legacy

Episode 8: Shifting Seasons in Motherhood and Ranching with Richelle Barrett

Episode 19: Homesteading Skills with a Farm Family with 14 Hands Ranch

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright:

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.