E51: The Future of Real Food and the Beef Herd of America | AJ Richards of From the Farm

The future of real food in America depends on ordinary families choosing to understand where their food comes from.  In this episode, AJ Richards shares why our current food system is more fragile than it seems and how both homesteaders and everyday consumers can be part of restoring it. From the impact of big corporations and foreign imports to the growing need for local connection and community resilience, this conversation sheds light on what is really at stake AND how each of us can spark meaningful change. This is an important conversation you won’t want to miss out on!

In this episode, we cover:

- AJ’s southern Utah ranching roots, Bundy family heritage, and winding path from Army deployment to city life to running a USDA slaughterhouse in Wyoming

- Why the 2020 food supply crisis became the catalyst that inspired FromTheFarm.org

- The story behind building a platform that reconnects consumers directly with local farmers and ranchers

- How the mission has grown into nearly 100 producers across 35 states with a heart for ministry and stewardship

- Why decades of beef industry consolidation left independent ranchers struggling to survive

- How social media has become a tool for exposing corruption and educating consumers about the food system

- The ripple effects of imported beef policies and how they’re impacting American producers

- A discussion on new hope for first-generation ranchers willing to innovate and build community connections

- Why the NCBA’s alignment with big industry has created frustration among small producers

- Thoughts on land and water buyouts across the West and how corporate control is reshaping agriculture

- The importance of USDA partnerships aimed at restoring grazing rights and strengthening local processing

- What to know about the screw-worm threat at the southern border and ongoing prevention efforts

- A reminder to follow God’s prompting, stay grounded in community, and keep using your voice for change

Thank you to our sponsors!

KubotaUSA.com | Providing the right equipment to keep us moving, shaping, and growing America's farms, fields, and construction

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RESOURCES MENTIONED

Learn more about the rancher advocacy group mentioned in this episode, R-CALF

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Watch this episode on YouTube:

View full show notes and transcript on the blog: https://homesteadersofamerica.com/e51-the-future-of-real-food-and-the-beef-herd-of-america-aj-richards-of-from-the-farm/