e127. First Generation Grazier Balancing Farm and Work with Jessica Newman

e127. First Generation Grazier Balancing Farm and Work with Jessica Newman

Author: Grazing Grass July 31, 2024 Duration: 1:06:55

Join us as we welcome Jessica Newman, a first-generation farmer from Northeast Pennsylvania, who shares her inspiring journey of establishing a successful sheep farming operation while balancing a full-time nursing career. From purchasing her farm in 2014 to building her agricultural enterprise from scratch, Jessica provides valuable insights into the unique challenges and innovative approaches she employs in managing her Texel sheep flock. We also explore her experiences with Dexter cattle and the delicate balance of managing off-farm jobs with farm responsibilities.

Listen in as Jessica recounts journey to raising sheep on her newly acquired land. We discuss the initial hurdles of setting up infrastructure, the gradual development of her farm, and the implementation of rotational grazing practices inspired by Joel Saladin. Learn about the complexities of managing pastures overrun with goldenrod and milkweed, heavy clay soil, and steep grades, and discover the successes and lessons learned in creating a sustainable grazing system.

This episode also covers essential advice for beginners in farming, emphasizing the importance of understanding land capacity and avoiding overgrazing. We touch on various business models, such as custom grazing and leased land, and highlight the influence of business strategies from authors like Mike Michalowicz and Greg Judy. Additionally, Jessica shares her experiences with sheep artificial insemination, breeding strategies for optimal production, and the importance of balancing personal life and farm responsibilities. Tune in for a wealth of practical advice and inspiring stories from Jessica’s farming journey.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:
SouthView Station

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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
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