” Just having the confidence and the know-how that, like if something were to happen like 2020 did we'd be good for a while. And I want other people to feel that way too.”
Back in 2020, my guest Emmaline Newton had no idea that a couple of ducks and a handful of chickens would spark a whole new way of life. Fast forward a few years, and her family has turned three wooded acres into a thriving homestead, raising their own meat, growing a big garden, and teaching their kids the value of hard work.
” No matter what, if you don't care for your animal, no matter what size of farm, if you don't care for it, it's not gonna produce milk. And if they don't produce milk, then we're out of a job.”
Farming is in your blood. That early morning routine, the smell of silage, the way the cows know you by your boots. It's not something you do—it's something you live. And if you're raising kids at the same time, you know the line between "work" and "life" is pretty much nonexistent.
”I feel like it's my chance to tell my story because if I don't tell it, Netflix and Amazon and somebody else is gonna tell it for me. So it's my chance to tell the truth about how we do things here.”
Farming is more than a job—it’s a way of life. It’s early mornings, late nights, and everything in between. It’s raising kids in the middle of it all, teaching them lessons in hard work, responsibility, and the beauty of growing something from the ground up.
” That's why I always say things don't happen to you. They happen for you.”
Growing up in a farm family teaches you a lot—about hard work, responsibility, and what it means to build something that lasts. But it also shows you the struggles that can come with it—conflict, long hours, and the pressure to keep the family legacy alive.
” You have to bring value back to the family operation if you want it to be sustainable for future generations.”
There’s something about growing up on a farm that pulls you back, even when you think you’ll never return. Maybe it’s the land, the family history, or just the way life feels simpler when you’re working with your hands. But for a lot of people, moving back home isn’t as easy as just packing up and showing up. The farm has to be able to support another family, and that’s where creativity, resilience, and a little business sense come in.
That’s exactly what Lettie Nickell did when she found her way back to her family’s operation in Southwest Kansas. She didn’t just come home—she built something of her own to make it work.
”The story that we believe is vastly more impactful than facts.”
There’s something about this time of year—the almost-spring season—that gets me excited. The cold days are numbered, the days are getting longer, and plans for the farm and family are starting to take shape.
Between raising kids, running a business, and keeping things moving on the farm, life is full. And honestly? It’s a little chaotic. But in the best way.
So, in the spirit of making life a little more fun and slowing down to enjoy the moments, I thought I’d do a top ten list of what’s on my mind right now. Consider this a peek into real life on the farm—what’s working, what’s not, and what’s making life a little sweeter.
”The other thing that really just brings joy to me is the little moments of farm life. So whether that's just like checking cows on pasture in the summer, that's some of my favorite memories growing up. And just holding on to those things when the ag economy or other things seem a little heavy, then it's those little moments that I think really grounds a person and why a lot of us are in agriculture.”
The world of agriculture has a way of shaping people. It teaches resilience, hard work, and the value of family. For those of us in farming and ranching, it’s more than just a business—it’s a way of life. That’s exactly the story of Hannah Klitz, the owner of Oak Barn Beef and founder of Rural Edge Marketing, who built a business from the ground up while navigating marriage, motherhood, and entrepreneurship.
” So what we're doing is just teaching farmers, ranchers, anybody really, how to utilize money correctly so that we can make the bank plan B instead of plan A.”
The reality of farming today is that it takes more than grit and hard work to keep an operation going. The numbers matter. The way we handle money matters. And, unfortunately, a lot of farmers and ranchers find themselves navigating uncertain financial waters when the banking system shifts.
