Life After the Dairy: Brittany Thurlow on Letting Go, Mini Donkeys & Finding Your Path Again

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Title:  Life After the Dairy: Brittany Thurlow on Letting Go, Mini Donkeys & Finding Your Path Again

 

Host: Val Lavigne

@DairyGalVal

www.dairygalval.com

 

Guest: Brittany Nickerson Thurlow

IG @Mrs_T.Low

 

Episode Summary:

In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode, Val reconnects with returning guest Brittany Thurlow—her very first podcast interviewee—for a powerful full-circle conversation. Brittany shares big updates from her Florida dairy life, including the emotional and practical decision to step away from milking cows. After years of challenges—ranging from hurricanes to industry struggles—her family’s farm has officially transitioned to new ownership, keeping the dairy legacy alive through a buyer from Indiana.

But this story isn’t just about endings—it’s about the unexpected paths life can take. Brittany opens up about raising mini donkeys (yes, you read that right), her bottle-fed brat Millie, and how a Craigslist adventure led to a thriving side business. With 20+ donkeys and plenty of sass, Brittany shares how she’s finding new purpose, joy, and even income beyond the traditional farm model.

Whether you’re in the thick of dairy life or thinking about your next chapter, this episode offers insight, laughs, and a whole lot of honesty.

 

💬 In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Brittany’s evolution from full-time dairy farming to life not on the dairy farm

• How her donkeys (especially Millie) unexpectedly stole the internet’s heart

• What being a board member really entails and how she advocates for the ag community

• Real talk on burnout, balancing motherhood, and giving yourself permission to pivot

• Using historical perspective and gratitude to reset your mindset on hard days

• The Churchill quote that keeps her grounded: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”

🗣️ Listener Challenge:
When you're having a tough day, how do you flip the script on your mindset? Share your tips or tag us in your stories—because perspective and humor go a long way, and we’re all in this together.

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