e143. Creating a Thriving Farm from Scratch with Cedric Shannon

e143. Creating a Thriving Farm from Scratch with Cedric Shannon

Author: Grazing Grass November 13, 2024 Duration: 1:10:41

Unlock the secrets to regenerative farming success with Cedric Shannon from Weathertop Farm in Virginia. Listen as Cedric recounts transforming 54 acres of potential housing development land into a thriving regenerative livestock operation. Inspired by Joel Salatin, Cedric shares how he and his wife, Sarah, started their farm journey with limited resources, beginning with chickens and hogs, and progressively integrating cattle and sheep. Through continuous learning and building a supportive community, Cedric offers insights into overcoming challenges and achieving sustainable farming success.

Explore the nuances of raising rabbits and chickens for profit as Cedric shares his experiences and insights. Discover the logistical challenges and rewarding solutions like hoop houses for rabbit hutches and the innovative use of rabbit manure to enhance poultry productivity. Cedric discusses the market dynamics and cultural preferences for rabbit meat, providing a thoughtful reflection on the balance between passion and practicality in small-scale farming. From family farming growth to the legacy of their operation, hear about the reinvestment in skills development and how their farm internship program has paved paths for aspiring regenerative farmers.

Cedric guides us through holistic grazing management and flexible farm infrastructure strategies that are vital for thriving with limited capital. Learn about the benefits of rotational grazing and how different livestock species can synergistically enrich soil nutrients, creating a sustainable farming ecosystem. Practical advice on managing farm operations—like using electric netting over permanent fencing and the importance of movable structures—highlights the resourcefulness required to succeed in agriculture. With Cedric's insights, start your farming journey with creativity and adaptability, and become part of the sustainable farming community.

Links Mentioned in the Episode

Weathertop Farm

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute
Redmond
Kencove Farm Fence


Grazing Grass Links

Provide feedback for the podcast
Website
Insiders
Resources (Coming Soon)
Community (on Facebook) 



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
199. Soil-First Grazing and Earned Efficiency with Rachel Bouressa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:30
Rachel Bouressa of Bouressa Family Farm joins us from central Wisconsin, where she’s a fifth-generation farmer and second-generation grazier managing 120 acres with a soil-first mindset. After returning home following a…
198. Adding Wildlife Income Streams to Your Ranch with Doug Jobes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:10
Today’s episode features Doug Jobes, Regenerative Ranching Advisor at the Noble Research Institute, whose background spans rural Georgia agriculture, the 75th Ranger Regiment, wildlife science, and rangeland ecology. Dou…
197. Silvopasture in the Real World with Austin Unruh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:51
Austin Unruh returns for another deep, practical conversation on silvopasture — this time focusing on “the dip,” livestock pressure, pruning, shade strategy, pigs and poultry in tree systems, and what to do in Year Zero…
195. South Poll Field Day Special: Real Ranchers, Real Results [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01:58
In this special in-person episode recorded at the South Poll Field Day, Cal sits down with some of the biggest names connected to the South Poll breed and regenerative grazing movement — Teddy Gentry, Greg Judy, Ralph &…
193. Building Intentional Farms from Neglected Land with Stan Oller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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,…
192. Fitness Meets Farming in the Ottawa Valley with Adam Phomin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:16
In this episode, Cal talks with Adam Phomin from Hoof and Beak Farm in eastern Ontario, Canada. Adam shares his journey from fitness coach and gym owner to regenerative farmer, raising sheep, cattle, chickens, and llamas…