#111: Building a Business That Works for Your Family and Your Farm
”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.
On the Farming on Purpose Podcast, I sat down with Taylor Moyer, who runs Ridgeview Land and Cattle in North Carolina. His story is a great example of how a love for agriculture can come full circle and how creativity in business can make a farm more sustainable for the long haul.
Leaving the Farm and Coming Back
Taylor grew up in agriculture, but like many young people, he left at 18 to pursue a different career. He spent nearly two decades working in NASCAR before he found his way back to farming. It wasn’t a sudden shift, but rather a gradual realization that he wanted land, animals, and the kind of life he grew up with.
When he first bought his farm, it was run-down and abandoned. He saw it as a good investment but wasn’t sure what it would become. Over time, he brought it back to life, built a small cow-calf herd, and eventually jumped into full-time farming and ranching.
Stacking Revenue Streams to Make It Work
Like many of us raising families while running a farm, Taylor knew he had to find ways to make the land pay for itself. His approach is a mix of traditional cattle operations and creative income streams.
Cattle Sales & Backgrounding: Taylor runs a spring-calving herd but stays flexible. If a cow doesn’t breed on time, he shifts it to a fall-calving program, where it has more value. He also buys calves from local farmers, straightens them out, and sells them for a premium.
Custom Grazing: This provides steady cash flow, which is critical for any young operation.
Agritourism & Experiences: This is where things get interesting. Taylor realized people in nearby Charlotte wanted access to the countryside. He started allowing photographers to use his land for sessions, and it took off. He also offers farm tours, allowing families to experience farm life firsthand.
The Power of Agritourism
Let’s be honest—inviting strangers onto the farm can feel risky. There’s always the question of liability and whether it’s worth the effort. But Taylor found a way to make it simple and safe.
Through a company called Land Trust, he lists his farm for photography sessions, tours, and other experiences. Land Trust handles liability coverage, payments, and scheduling. The result? An additional income stream that helps cover property taxes with almost no added work.
One of Taylor’s most memorable experiences was hosting a suburban family who had never been on a farm. The kids started out uncomfortable—bugs, dirt, and all—but within minutes, they were barefoot in the creek, chasing frogs. Their mom was shocked by how peaceful and well-cared-for everything was, a stark contrast to what she had seen in documentaries. That kind of firsthand experience is something money can’t buy—and it builds trust in agriculture.
Why Trying Something New Isn’t Selling Out
A lot of farmers hesitate to step outside traditional production agriculture. There’s a fear of how it will be perceived or whether it means they’ve “failed” as producers. But Taylor’s perspective is refreshing:
“The truth is, land prices are rising, input costs are rising, and we can’t control those things. But we can control how we use what we have. If I can make my farm more profitable by allowing families to visit, by selling experiences instead of just commodities, why wouldn’t I?”
Agritourism, direct-to-consumer sales, and alternative revenue streams aren’t about replacing farming; they’re about keeping it going for the next generation. Taylor isn’t running a pumpkin patch or a petting zoo—he’s simply making the most of what his land already offers.
Making It Work for Your Family
Every farm and family is different, and what works for one operation might not fit another. The key is finding something that aligns with your values, schedule, and goals. Whether that’s agritourism, selling direct-to-consumer, or offering custom services to neighbors, there are ways to build stability without compromising your way of life.
For Taylor, the journey back to agriculture wasn’t about doing things the way they had always been done. It was about adapting, learning, and creating a business that supports both his family and his passion for cattle.
At the end of the day, that’s what farming is all about—building something that lasts, raising families in the heart of it, and finding ways to make it work in a changing world.
To connect with Taylor visit his website and Instagram. Or learn more about and view listings on Land Trust.
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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.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
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