“You’re going to make mistakes — and then you’re going to learn from those mistakes.”

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Hayley Darnielle, owner of Crooked Creek Farms in Montana, to talk about building a diversified, direct-to-consumer farm business from the ground up.

What started as a simple Facebook page and one milk cow has grown into a full-time operation providing raw milk, pork, poultry, eggs, and more to local families. Hayley shares what it’s really like to be a first-generation farmer, how Montana’s Food Freedom Act shaped her business, and why responsibility, transparency, and boundaries matter just as much as growth.

This conversation explores diversification with intention, navigating customer relationships, using grants to fuel growth, and building a farm that supports both family life and long-term sustainability.

Key Topics:

• Starting a farm business without growing up in agriculture

• How Montana’s Food Freedom Act opened the door for direct-to-consumer sales

• Diversifying livestock with purpose and limited acreage

• Balancing motherhood, farm work, and business growth

• Learning through trial, error, and knowing when to scale back

• Building infrastructure as a first-generation producer

• Navigating customer expectations and setting boundaries

• Using the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant to accelerate growth

• Growing two farm operations side by side

LINKS

Follow Crooked Creek Farms and learn more about Hayley’s operation: https://www.crookedcreekfarmsmt.com

Follow Crooked Creek Farms on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: Crooked Creek Farms MT

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy

#122: How Agritourism Is Transforming Farming – A look at how opening the farm to the public through agritourism can create new income streams, strengthen community trust, and support long-term farm sustainability.

#125: Raising More Than Livestock: Building a Multi-Generation Direct-to-Consumer Farm Business – An honest conversation about diversification, family roles, and building a direct-to-consumer business that supports both the farm and the people behind it.

#76: Ag Entrepreneurship & Conviction in Fighting for the Family Farm with Amanda Radke – A conversation about purpose, priorities, entrepreneurship, and building income beyond tradition while staying rooted in agriculture.

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.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

“You don’t have to have a perfect farm — you just have to open the gate.”

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Megan Daluge, a fifth-generation Wisconsin dairy farmer and co-founder of Milk’n Mamas, to talk about what diversification really looks like when you’re committed to keeping the dairy — and the family — at the center.

Megan shares how she and her sister navigated family transition, industry pressure, and a tough dairy economy by building multiple income streams alongside their 100-cow dairy. From launching farm camps and agritourism to running a women’s boutique and coaching farmers on social media storytelling, this conversation is an honest look at resilience, creativity, and evolving with purpose.

This episode is a must-listen for farmers, ranchers, and ag entrepreneurs who feel pulled in more than one direction — and want permission to try something new without losing what matters most.

Key Topics:

• Navigating family transition on a multi-generation dairy farm

• Knowing when “enough cows” is enough

• Launching farm camp and agritourism with minimal overhead

• Overcoming fear around opening the farm to the public

• Diversifying income without abandoning production agriculture

• Using social media to tell your farm story without burnout

• Setting boundaries, handling criticism, and staying authentic online

• Embracing failure, pivots, and being multi-passionate in agriculture

LINKS

Follow Milk’n Mamas on Instagram: @milknmamas Find Daluge Farm on Facebook Follow Milk’n Mamas on TikTok

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy

#122: How Agritourism Is Transforming Farming – A look at how opening the farm to the public through agritourism can create new income streams, strengthen community trust, and support long-term farm sustainability.

#125: Raising More Than Livestock: Building a Multi-Generation Direct-to-Consumer Farm Business – An honest conversation about diversification, family roles, and building a direct-to-consumer business that supports both the farm and the people behind it.

#76: Ag Entrepreneurship & Conviction in Fighting for the Family Farm with Amanda Radke – A conversation about purpose, priorities, entrepreneurship, and building income beyond tradition while staying rooted in agriculture.

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.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

“If you don’t start early enough to make a plan, it never takes care of itself.”

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Heidi Olson, certified farm succession planner and founder of Pathfinder Legacy Advisor, LLC, to talk about why succession planning is about far more than paperwork—and why waiting too long puts both farm families and farmland at risk.

Heidi brings decades of experience in banking, wealth management, trusts, and estate planning, along with firsthand experience navigating succession planning within her own family. We talk through how to start difficult conversations, why communication breakdowns are often the biggest obstacle, and what farm families of every size should be thinking about now as millions of acres of farmland prepare to change hands.

Key Topics:

• Why farm succession planning can’t be postponed

• The risks of waiting too long to start the conversation

• How to structure productive family meetings

• Why succession planning is operational—not just legal

• Managing control and change across generations

• Communication challenges inside family-run operations

• Succession planning for small, part-time, or diversified farms

• What to look for in a qualified farm succession planner

• Preparing the next generation without forcing outcomes

You can learn more about Heidi and her work at pathfinderlegacy.com, or reach out directly at heidi@pathfinderlegacy.com. Heidi also hosts the Pathfinder Legacy Podcast, which is linked on her website.

LINKS

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Episode 87: Farm Succession Planning: Securing Your Family's Legacy

Episode 8: Shifting Seasons in Motherhood and Ranching with Richelle Barrett

Episode 19: Homesteading Skills with a Farm Family with 14 Hands Ranch

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.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

“You don’t just clock out of agriculture — it’s a lifestyle.”

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Olivia Harms — a sixth-generation rancher, country-western artist, and self-employed musician balancing life on the ranch with life on the road.

From growing up on a family ranch dating back to 1872, to performing on national television and major rodeo stages, Olivia shares what it really takes to carry Western culture forward while building a creative career. We talk about authenticity in music, advocating for agriculture in urban spaces, navigating burnout, and balancing ranch life, marriage, and a demanding touring schedule.

This episode is a powerful reminder that agriculture and creativity are both lifestyles — not jobs you clock out of — and that staying rooted matters, even when your work takes you far from home.

Key Topics:

• Growing up on a sixth-generation ranch and carrying agricultural heritage forward

• Using music as a platform to advocate for agriculture and Western culture

• Behind-the-scenes realities of national television and music competition shows

• Balancing ranch life, marriage, and a self-employed creative career

• Burnout, creativity, and reconnecting with what matters most

• Writing authentic music rooted in real-life experiences

• Advice for dreamers pursuing unconventional or creative careers

LINKS

Follow Olivia Harms and explore her music, tour dates, and merch: https://www.oliviaharms.com

Follow Olivia on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @oliviaharmsmusic

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

#120: Finding Where You Belong on the Farm or Ranch – A thoughtful conversation about identity, purpose, and discovering your role within agriculture, especially when your path looks different than expected. Farming on Purpose

#124: Marriage, Parenthood & Building a Business – A real-life look at balancing marriage, family, and entrepreneurship while building a business alongside life in agriculture. Farming on Purpose

#117: Raising Kids, Cows, and Conversations: Paige Dulaney’s Real-Life Look at Ranching, Transition, and Family – Honest stories about family roles, legacy planning, and mixing business with relationships. Farming on Purpose

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.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

“You can’t raise a cow that only has steaks on it — it doesn’t exist.”

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Nola and Mikaela Schultz, a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law team behind Schultz Country Market, to talk about what it really takes to build a direct-to-consumer meat business inside a multi-generation farm.

We cover the realities of processing, pricing, inventory management, and marketing — along with the family conversations, faith, and perseverance required to grow a business that supports both the farm and the people behind it.

Nola and Mikaela share honest lessons from launching an on-farm market, navigating processor relationships, learning how to price meat sustainably, and using social media to reach customers far beyond their local community. This episode is a must-listen for anyone exploring direct-to-consumer sales, diversification, or family business transitions in agriculture.

Key Topics:

• Transitioning from a multi-generation farm to a direct-to-consumer meat market

• Processing challenges and how to work with the right partners

• Pricing meat for sustainability — not comparison

• Managing inventory, bundles, and value-added products

• Using Facebook Live and TikTok to grow a local and regional customer base

• Navigating family roles, succession, and hard conversations

• Faith, resilience, and staying the course during hard seasons

LINKS

Sign up for the Schultz Country Market shipping waitlist: https://www.schultzcountrymarket.com

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

#117: Raising Kids, Cows, and Conversations: Paige Dulaney’s Real-Life Look at Ranching, Transition, and Family – Honest stories about family roles, legacy planning, and mixing business with relationships. Farming on Purpose

#74: Capturing Profit from Heifers with Direct-to-Consumer Beef with Amanda of 2383 Farms – A deep dive into selling beef direct to consumers, including challenges and pricing decisions. Farming on Purpose

#76: Ag Entrepreneurship & Conviction in Fighting for the Family Farm with Amanda Radke – An entrepreneurial exploration of finding purpose, priorities, and diversified income on the farm.

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.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Finding your place in agriculture isn’t always simple—or straightforward. In this special mashup episode of Farming on Purpose, we’ve pulled together stories from past guests who share how they discovered (and sometimes redefined) their role on the farm or ranch. From balancing family dynamics and business decisions, to stepping into unexpected responsibilities, to building side ventures that make staying on the land possible—these voices remind us there’s no one-size-fits-all job description in ag. Their journeys show the heart, grit, and creativity it takes to carve out a role that fits both your skills and your dreams.

Listen to the full interviews:

Episode #8 Shifting Seasons in Motherhood and Ranching with Richelle Barrett

Richelle Barrett

https://www.facebook.com/theprairiecrocus

https://www.prairie-crocus.com/

Episode #15 Developing Routines for Ranch Roles and Profitability with Marli Scarborough

Marli Scarborough

https://www.instagram.com/marliscarborough/

Episode #21 Systems for Managing Life & Work on the Farm with Natalie Egger

Natalie Egger

https://www.instagram.com/natalie_egger_consulting/

www.eggerconsulting.ca

Episode #109 Building a Future on the Farm: How One Rancher Found Her Own Path Home

Lettie Nickell

https://lettienickell.com/

https://www.facebook.com/mcbarmeatco

https://www.instagram.com/lettienickell/#

LINKS

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

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.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Starting a farm from the ground up isn’t easy—but it’s possible. In this episode, I pulled together stories from beginning farmers who are doing just that. Some bought back family ground. Others started with just a few acres, raising food for their own families and learning as they went. A few had help, and many didn’t. But every single one had to work through doubts, learn from failure, and find their own way forward. These are the stories of grit, family, long days, and the kind of deep belief it takes to build something that lasts. Whether you’re dreaming of your first 10 acres or trying to prove yourself in a family operation, I hope this episode reminds you—you’re not alone, and your story is worth building.

Listen to the full interviews:

Episode #103 Building a Ranch From Scratch: How One Family's Faith and Grit Created Their Legacy

Laura Hicks

www.laurahicks.org

www.instagram.com/laura_a_hicks

www.facebook.com/laura.hicks.1884

Episode #77 How Full Time Farming Works for Winding Creek Farms

Harry Frederick

https://www.facebook.com/windingcreekfarmsKY

www.windingcreekfarms.com

https://www.instagram.com/windingcreekfarms/

https://www.tiktok.com/@windingcreekfarms801

Episode #72 Advice from a First-Generation Farmer on Surviving Trends

Joseph Blakeslee

https://www.tiktok.com/@blakesleeacres?_t=8mBoNynbHVy&_r=1

https://youtube.com/@blakesleeacres?si=ZRrEdeM9xztkVK0A

https://www.facebook.com/share/KeVHkkjHNae61BUq/?mibextid=qi2Omg

https://www.facebook.com/share/4AW7ZtymLMnYGcqq/?mibextid=qi2Omg

Episode #99 Working Full Time While Building Her Farm Dream with Brenna Beard

Brenna Beard

https://www.instagram.com/brennabeardfarms/

https://www.youtube.com/@brennabeardfarms

LINKS

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

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.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

“You can do anything you set your mind to. I say that all the time—and I say that as a working mom. There’s judgment, exhaustion, and chaos, but I’m building a legacy for my daughter. She doesn’t know any different—this is just life for her, and that’s what makes it worth it.” — Penny DuSablon

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Cole and Penny DuSablon, the husband-and-wife team behind Springpoint Company in Newton, Illinois. What started as a 7×16-foot trailer selling livestock feed has grown into a thriving small-town business combining a feed store, western boutique, and trailer dealership — all built on faith, family, and hard work.

We talk about the challenges and rewards of running a business together, parenting while growing a brand, and staying grounded in purpose when life gets hectic. Cole and Penny share what it’s really like to balance marriage, motherhood, and management in modern agriculture — and how trusting the process has shaped both their business and their family.

Key Topics:

• Building Spring Point Company from a 7×16 trailer to a storefront

• Balancing marriage, motherhood, and business ownership

• Taking the leap from job security to entrepreneurship

• Navigating small-town retail challenges and loyalty

• Mentoring rural youth through part-time employment

• The role of faith and community in business growth

• Finding hope in the next generation of agriculture

You can find Cole and Penny online for more of their story and daily life behind Springpoint Company: 🐴 Website: springpointco.com 📱 Instagram & Facebook: @springpointco 🎥 TikTok: @pennydusa | @coledusa

LINKS

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

• Episode 120: Finding Where You Belong on the Farm or Ranch

• Episode 119: The First Acres: Honest Lessons from Beginning the Farm Journey

• Episode 117: Raising Kids, Cows, and Conversations: Paige Dulaney’s Real-Life Look at Ranching, Transition, and Family

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.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.