Homesteaders of America

E62: A Homesteader's Seat at the Secretary of Ag's Table | Interview with AJ Richards

AJ Richards is back, and this time he's taking us inside the room with the Secretary of Agriculture. He's not a lobbyist. Nobody's paying him to be there. He's a homesteader from Cody, Wyoming who got invited because he was loud about our failing food system, and he's telling us what's really going on with public land grazing, the regenerative agriculture executive order, and why country of origin labeling isn't as simple as everyone thinks.AJ lives on seven and a half acres in Cody, Wyoming, but his family's roots go back to 1916, when they homesteaded the Arizona Strip as part of the Bundy Ranchers. He's also the founder of From The Farm, a platform built to connect consumers directly with producers. Since last fall, he's been part of a small group the Secretary of Agriculture personally invited to Washington to represent Western ranchers who felt unheard. In this episode, he and I get into what's actually moving in DC right now, why some of the loudest online criticism misses the point entirely, and why he believes prayer and discernment matter as much as policy.What You'll LearnWhy yelling at the Secretary of Agriculture over country of origin labeling might be aimed at the wrong person entirelyWhat a new memorandum of understanding between USDA and the Department of Interior means for ranchers grazing on public land, after decades of losing groundThe real story of how the regenerative agriculture executive order came togetherWhy AJ says “two things can be true at once” about the wins and the compromises coming out of this administrationWhat the Direct Act could mean for buying meat straight from a farmer online, even across state linesWhy taking a government grant, like NRCS fencing money, almost always comes with strings you didn't expectHow AJ's family history homesteading the Arizona Strip shapes the way he sees today's food fightWhy “empathy up” matters as much as empathy for the people below youWhat AJ wishes Christians would post instead of tearing down leaders onlineResources Mentioned in This EpisodeFrom The Farm: https://fromthefarm.org/ HOA 2026 Conference (10th Anniversary, October, Front Royal, Virginia): https://homesteadersofamerica.comInstagram @a.j_richardsFacebook https://www.facebook.com/abenadiYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheFarmUSAX @AJRichardsFacebook https://facebook.com/homesteadersofamericaWebsite https://homesteadersofamerica.com

E61: From Zero Experience to a Booming Farm Business: The Power of Authentic Marketing | Dana & Lauren Cavalea of Freedom Farms NY

You don't need a lifetime of farming experience to build a successful farm.  Dana and Lauren Cavalea share how they went from corporate careers and zero agricultural background to growing a thriving direct-to-consumer meat business on more than 300 acres.  Along the way, they discuss the realities of raising livestock, selling beef, expanding a farm business, and why adaptability, strong marketing, and faith have been just as important as hard work.  If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to start farming from scratch, this conversation will encourage you to boldly take the first step!In this episode, we cover:- How two complete beginners unexpectedly became farmers on 130 acres- Buying their first cattle, pigs, and chickens with no farming experience- Learning hard lessons about livestock, butchering, and selling their first beef- Growing from 130 acres to more than 300 through strategic land purchases- Building a nationwide direct-to-consumer meat business- Selling beef shares, meat boxes, and working with other local farmers- The business skills every profitable farmer needs beyond raising livestock- Beef shares vs. individual meat boxes: the pros and cons of each model- What it really takes to ship frozen meat across the country- Using authentic storytelling and social media to grow a loyal customer base- Why flexibility, continual learning, and adapting have been key to their success- Following God's leading, embracing new challenges, and encouraging others to simply get startedView full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you to our sponsors!NutriMill.com | High-quality small kitchen appliance products that function well, are easy to use, and promote healthy eatingNewLightHealth.com | High-quality natural supplements and health products to simplify your wellness and support your family naturallyShareHealthcare.com | A Christian-based, health-sharing community where members come together to cover medical needsRESOURCES MENTIONEDHead over to Freedom Farms to see their full lineup of high-quality meat selections and more!CONNECTDana & Lauren Cavalea | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

E60: How One Company is Building a Parallel Food System in America | Pete Strayer of Azure Standard

America’s food system is changing, and the homesteading movement is playing a bigger role than you may realize.  In this conversation, Pete of Azure Standard shares the inspiring story behind the nationwide organic food company, their mission to strengthen regenerative agriculture and local food systems, and why more families are seeking clean, trustworthy food sources.  We also discuss supply chains, small farms, community resilience, and the growing movement toward rebuilding American agriculture from the ground up.  If you care about food freedom, regenerative farming, and creating a healthier future for the next generation, don’t miss this conversation!In this episode, we cover:- How a family health crisis led Azure’s founding family to embrace organic farming decades before it was mainstream- The surprising story of one small Oregon farm growing into a nationwide food distribution network- A behind-the-scenes look at Azure’s relationships with hundreds of small farms and family businesses- How Azure keeps food distribution more resilient through privately owned trucks, warehouses, and logistics- The challenges rising fuel costs and supply chain instability create for companies delivering food nationwide- Why Azure is expanding with a major East Coast warehouse and what that means for the future of food access- Why the homesteading movement is creating new opportunities for small farms, local food systems, and community- How Azure is working directly with conventional farmers who want healthier soil and more sustainable farming methods- Encouragement for families who want to be part of rebuilding a healthier, more trustworthy food cultureView full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you to our sponsors!Earthley.com | Clean, natural, and affordable herbal remedies and body care that support health and wellness naturally MittySupply.com | Portable milking machines designed for small and medium-sized farms to save you time and simplify your daily routineRESOURCES MENTIONEDFind an Azure Standard drop near you!CONNECTAzure Standard | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest | X Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

E59: The Family Milk Cow Revival | Shawn & Beth Dougherty

The family milk cow has been making its comeback… for good reason!  In this episode, Shawn and Beth Dougherty share practical wisdom every beginner needs to hear on choosing the right homestead dairy cow, managing excess milk,, and building a low-input farm that works with nature instead of against it.  We also dive into dual-purpose dairy genetics, the value of multi-generational homesteading, and why home-centered living is about far more than simply producing food.In this episode, we cover:- Why the family milk cow has long been considered the heart of every homestead- Honest questions to ask before bringing home a milk cow for your family- The reality of managing excess milk and why many new cow owners feel overwhelmed- Unexpected ways surplus milk can fuel the rest of the homestead instead of going to waste- What experienced homesteaders are looking for now in practical, low-input dairy genetics- Why multi-generational and community-centered homesteading makes dairy ownership far more sustainable- Encouragement to stop overthinking the good work in front of you and simply begin- The deeper cultural and spiritual restoration happening through home-centered livingView full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you to our sponsors!KubotaUSA.com | Providing the right equipment to keep us moving, shaping, and growing America's farms, fields, and constructionMcMurrayHatchery.com | A wide selection of poultry breeds and supplies to assist you with raising your flockNewCountryOrganics.com | A trusted source for certified organic, soy-free animal feed and minerals designed to support your entire farm ecosystemShareHealthcare.com | A Christian-based, health-sharing community where members come together to cover medical needsRESOURCES MENTIONEDGrab your copy of Shawn and Beth’s newest book, One-Cow Revolution: Achieving Food Independence with a Grass-Fed Family CowCONNECTShawn & Beth Dougherty | WebsiteHomesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

E58: A Generational Perspective on the Call to Homesteading | Hazel Nieves

Hazel shares her story of an unstable childhood, raising six kids (including triplets) on her own, and how those experiences shaped the way she views home and family today.  We talk about why so many people feel pulled toward homesteading right now— not just for land or animals, but for a more hands-on, intentional way of living.  This conversation is a reminder that homesteading is less about having the perfect setup and more about building a life centered around home, faith, family, practical skills, and what matters most to you.In this episode, we cover:- Hazel’s story of growing up in instability, leaving home young, and raising six children largely on her own- How early experiences with gardening, canning, and livestock planted a lifelong love for self-sufficiency- A homesteading dream that never fully materialized into a farm but is still lived out through everyday skills and mindset- Why so many feel “something is missing” in modern life and how homesteading speaks to that gap- The idea that homesteading isn’t just land, but it’s a way of life rooted in purpose and responsibility- A return to God’s timeless design: family first, meaningful work, skills, and intentional rhythms - How the Industrial Revolution shifted families away from the home, pulling fathers off the land and reshaping the family unit- Encouragement for single moms: stand on faith, know your strengths, build community- A reminder that purpose, fulfillment, and calling aren’t “out there”, but are often already in your handsView full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you to our sponsors!NutriMill.com | High-quality small kitchen appliance products that function well, are easy to use, and promote healthy eatingMittySupply.com | Portable milking machines designed for small and medium-sized farms to save you time and simplify your daily routineEarthley.com | Clean, natural, and affordable herbal remedies and body care that support health and wellness naturally HarvestHousePublishers.com | Trusted, biblically grounded resources and homesteading books to help you navigate real life with real faithRESOURCES MENTIONEDBecome an HOA member for instant access to monthly private live streams with your favorite speakers, an exclusive library of conference videos, ebooks, member-only discounts, and more!CONNECTHazel Nieves | Website | Instagram | Facebook | XHomesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest