176. Building Iron Root Pastures from Backyard Chickens to Raw Milk Dairy with Ernie Mathes

176. Building Iron Root Pastures from Backyard Chickens to Raw Milk Dairy with Ernie Mathes

Author: Grazing Grass June 25, 2025 Duration: 1:35:03
Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming
ScienceNatural

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal talks with Ernie Mathis of Iron Root Pastures in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Ernie shares how he went from suburban New Jersey roots and metro Atlanta life to traveling the U.S. in an RV and finally settling on a dilapidated cow-calf farm to pursue a regenerative, multi-species livestock operation. He discusses starting with backyard broilers, managing raw milk production from his herd of Jerseys, raising pigs and poultry on organic, soy-free and corn-free feed, and why he’s adding rabbits next. Ernie also walks through his portable milking parlor setup, calf-sharing system, and lessons learned in farm infrastructure, grazing systems, and marketing directly to health-focused consumers.


Topics Covered

  • Why and how Ernie and his family left metro life for farm life
  • Starting with 10 backyard broilers and progressing to pasture poultry
  • Transitioning from RV life to settling on a 225-acre property
  • Developing a direct-to-consumer market with chiropractic clinics
  • Raising soy-free, corn-free fed chickens, pigs, and layers
  • Building a portable milking setup for 8 Jersey cows
  • Implementing calf sharing with a custom calf shelter
  • Using belted Galloways and moving toward more heat-tolerant breeds
  • Plans for integrating rabbits and sheep
  • Thoughts on A2 milk, sexed semen, and dual-purpose livestock
  • Managing pastures and daily moves using simple infrastructure

If you’ve ever wondered how to go from urban homesteader to full-time grazier, Ernie’s story will inspire and inform you. His creative infrastructure, practical solutions for milking in the pasture, and strong values around health and transparency in food production make this a great episode for new farmers, aspiring dairy graziers, or anyone looking to build a regenerative, direct-to-consumer business. Whether it’s a discussion on milking schedules or raw milk laws, there’s something here for everyone walking a similar path.


Resources Mentioned

  • Iron Root Pastures
  • Kentucky Organics (feed mill)
  • Justin Rhodes YouTube Channel
  • White Oak Pastures (Rabbitat project)

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There’s a quiet revolution happening in the fields and pastures, one that ties the health of the soil directly to the health of a farm’s bottom line. Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming is a part of that conversation, sitting down with the men and women who are putting regenerative principles into daily practice. Hosted by Grazing Grass, each episode feels like a candid chat across a fence line, moving beyond theory into the tangible details of managing livestock on grass. You’ll hear farmers recount their own journeys-what prompted their shift in thinking, the logistical hurdles of changing their operation, and the outcomes they’ve witnessed in their land and ledger books. A recurring segment called "Over Grazing" digs into the specific problems and hard-won lessons that come with this way of farming. This isn’t just a science or nature podcast; it’s a practical resource built on shared experience, aiming to strengthen a community where knowledge about profitable, grass-based systems is passed along openly. Tune in for honest stories that get to the root of what it means to work with the land.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming
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