In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal visits with Wyatt Jones of Happy Meadow Farm in Pisgah, Alabama. Wyatt shares his family’s journey from military life to building a thriving grass-based farm, raising beef and dairy cattle, Katahdin sheep, and poultry. Starting in 2021, Wyatt and his wife dove headfirst into regenerative agriculture, learning through mentors, books, and hands-on trial and error. Their story is full of determination, grit, and a willingness to embrace challenges in pursuit of a farming life.
Topics covered include:
- Starting Happy Meadow Farm with limited experience but big vision
- Buying land at auction and the unexpected blessings that came with it
- Early challenges with fencing, livestock health, and learning to rotate animals
- Using blueberries and eggs as initial cash crops to build community connections
- Transitioning from Longhorns and Corriente cattle into South Polls and eventually Fleckvieh
- Experiences with sheep, including parasite management and copper issues
- Expanding into raw milk sales through herd shares and building a loyal customer base
- Wyatt’s shift from the fire department to full-time farming
- The potential of Fleckvieh dairy cattle for grass-based systems
- Planting diverse forages and cover crops to support livestock health and productivity
This episode is perfect for anyone starting their regenerative journey, especially those considering multi-species grazing or exploring dairy opportunities beyond Jerseys. Wyatt’s story highlights the power of persistence, community support, and the courage to “just start.”
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- For the Love of Soil by Nicole Masters
- Grass Productivity by André Voisin
- Dairy Farming the Beautiful Way by Adam Klaus
- Happy Meadow Farm on Facebook
Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics
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Chapters
- (00:00) - Introduction and Fast Five Questions
- (00:59) - Welcome to the Grazing Grass Podcast
- (01:33) - MarketSMART Ranching Course Announcement
- (02:25) - Personal Celebration and Family Milestones
- (03:27) - Wyatt's Journey to Farming
- (07:02) - Starting the Farm and Acquiring Land
- (12:49) - First Livestock and Initial Challenges
- (24:57) - Expanding the Farm and Community Engagement
- (41:36) - Transition to Dairy Farming
- (45:36) - The Milking Disaster
- (47:30) - Getting a Milking Machine
- (49:27) - The Emotional Attachment to Dairy Cows
- (52:05) - Exploring Different Dairy Breeds
- (54:49) - The Fleckvieh Fascination
- (58:06) - Managing the Dairy Farm
- (01:08:23) - Marketing Raw Milk
- (01:09:56) - Transition to Full-Time Farming
- (01:13:52) - Famous Four Questions
- (01:24:35) - Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser