193. Building Intentional Farms from Neglected Land with Stan Oller

193. Building Intentional Farms from Neglected Land with Stan Oller

Author: Grazing Grass October 22, 2025 Duration: 1:12:03

Stan and his wife began farming in 2021 after adopting four children and realizing they wanted to raise them with meaningful work and stewardship. Starting with neglected, junk-filled land, they’ve built a regenerative, multi-species farm from scratch—learning through Greg Judy, Joel Salatin, and hands-on mistakes.


Topics Covered

  • Moving from western Kansas to Arkansas and starting a farm from nothing
  • Adopting four children and using the farm as a teaching tool
  • Restoring neglected land and hauling off 340 tires
  • Early livestock: 11 heifers → sheep → pigs → broilers
  • Grant funding from Illinois River Watershed for water lines and fencing
  • Pivoting from South Poll beef to a sheep-focused enterprise
  • Leader-follower grazing with cattle and hair sheep
  • Using C-90 salt, garlic, and apple cider vinegar for mineral programs
  • Direct-marketing lamb, pork, and chicken through GrazeCart
  • Adding pigs to utilize 30 acres of woods and reduce ticks
  • Launching on-farm poultry processing (non-GMO, soy-free feed)
  • Stewardship mindset and educational outreach via Harvest Hosts & farm visits
  • Future plans: farrow-to-finish Hereford pigs, possible Dexter cows for raw milk, on-farm events, and intentional growth

Stan’s story is a realistic look at starting late, learning fast, and doing it intentionally. From adoption to regenerative restoration, he shows how faith, family, and stewardship intersect on a small Arkansas farm. Whether you’re reclaiming abused land or diversifying your livestock, his experience offers encouragement and practical takeaways.


Resources Mentioned

  • Intentional Farms
  • Greg Judy Grazing School
  • Joel Salatin videos
  • The Stockman Grass Farmer
  • GrazeCart e-commerce platform
  • Illinois River Watershed Alliance grants

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond Agriculture.

Grazing Grass Links
New Listener Resource Guide

Provide feedback for the podcast
Website
Insiders
Resources
Community (on Facebook)
Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

Original Music by Louis Palfrey



Looking for grass-based breeders?
 Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.

Upcoming Grazing Events

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond Agriculture
Grassroots Carbon
Apr 22-24 3 Springs Utah

Grazing Grass Links
Website
Community (on Facebook)

Original Music by Louis Palfrey


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

Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming
Podcast Episodes
169.  Moving Across the Country with Nick Jackson and Sarah Mahan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:16
Nick Jackson and Sarah Mahan recently embarked on a transformative journey from Atkinson, Maine, to Healy, Kansas, to pursue regenerative agriculture. Their passion for soil health and sustainable farming practices led t…
166. Grazing Sheep with Big Tom Perkins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:58
Big Tom Perkins is a seasoned farmer who has successfully navigated the challenging transition from cattle to sheep farming. With his extensive experience at Con-O-Creek Farm in western Pennsylvania, he has become a beac…
165. Silvopasture: Getting Trees Started Right with Austin Unruh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:56
In this episode , we feature Austin Unruh, the founder of Trees for Graziers. Austin's journey into the world of silvopasture and agroforestry began in 2017 when he started planting trees along streams to improve water q…
164.   Splitting the Farm to Evolve with Becky Szarzynski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:41
Becky Szarzynski is a pioneering farmer in the field of sustainable farming and regenerative agriculture. With her independent venture, Ember Cattle Company, based in Fairfield, Virginia, Becky has transformed her family…
163. The Intersection of Military and Agriculture with Eric Czaja [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:49
Eric Chaya is a visionary in the realm of sustainable agriculture and military synergy. Originating from Wisconsin, Eric's journey has taken him from a traditional dairy-rich environment to pioneering innovative agricult…
162. The Art of Meat Processing and Electric Fences with Ross McGarva [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:40
Ross McGarva is a seasoned rancher with deep roots in the agricultural world. His family has been involved in ranching since 1918, and Ross himself has embarked on a remarkable journey across the United States, managing…