In this episode, we chat with Alex from Chucktown Acres, a regenerative farm based in Charleston, South Carolina. Alex shares his transformation from suburban musician and Bible college student to full-time regenerative farmer. His journey includes a pivotal internship at Polyface Farms and eventually taking over an existing farm operation in coastal South Carolina. Alex now manages a thriving multi-species livestock operation and also teaches marketing to other farmers.

Topics Covered

• Alex’s health awakening and discovery of real food
• The shift from Bible college to aspiring farmer
• Securing a highly competitive internship at Polyface Farms
• What life and work were like at Polyface
• Starting and rebranding Chucktown Acres
• Raising grass-fed beef, Berkshire hogs, broilers, laying hens, turkeys, and more
• Adjusting practices for regional predator pressure in South Carolina
• Using and recommending Kiwi Tech posts and Gallagher reels
• Building a direct-to-consumer business with Barn2Door and weekly email marketing
• Offering internships for local youth interested in sustainable ag
• Navigating social media and customer communication
• Equipment preferences and gear talk (O’Brien vs. Kiwi Tech)

Whether you’re just starting your regenerative journey or looking to refine your marketing and multi-species operation, Alex’s story is a valuable one. He didn’t grow up farming and didn’t inherit land—but he found a way through passion, grit, and practical action. His take on internships, rebranding, and building customer relationships through authentic marketing is inspiring and actionable. Plus, there’s plenty of great gear talk for graziers who love comparing reels and posts.

Resources Mentioned

• Polyface Farms
• Books & Authors:
  • Folks, This Ain’t Normal by Joel Salatin
  • Dirt to Soil by Gabe Brown
  • Works by Greg Judy, Alan Savory, Will Harris
• Barn2Door – eCommerce for farmers
• Redmond Agriculture
• Noble Research Institute Courses
• Kiwi Tech Posts – Available at Ken Cove
• Gallagher reels, O’Brien posts, and other fencing gear

Chapters

• (00:00) - Introduction and Quickfire Questions
• (01:58) - Welcome to the Grazing Grass Podcast
• (03:36) - Alex's Journey to Farming
• (05:15) - Discovering the World of Health Food
• (06:56) - From Bible College to Farming Aspirations
• (15:57) - Internship at Polyface Farms
• (42:06) - Starting Chucktown Acres
• (45:17) - Starting the Farming Journey
• (45:56) - A Fortunate Break
• (46:59) - Taking Over the Farm
• (48:33) - Rebranding and Relocating
• (49:50) - Challenges and Adaptations
• (53:30) - Marketing and Sales Strategies
• (57:29) - Social Media and Marketing Challenges
• (59:49) - Advice for New Farmers
• (01:12:05) - The Importance of Farmer's Markets
• (01:14:19) - Famous Four Questions
• (01:19:52) - Final Thoughts and Resources

Dusty Baker of Cross Timbers Bison joins us on the Grazing Grass Podcast to share his journey from city life to raising bison full time in Sulphur, Oklahoma. With a background in wildlife ecology and a deep appreciation for the nearby Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Dusty took the leap into bison ranching during the pandemic, starting out on an old dairy farm. Since then, he’s poured his passion into building a thriving herd and managing his land with regenerative practices that benefit both the soil and the animals.

In this episode, we dig into:

• Dusty’s transition from city life to bison ranching
• How he adapted a former dairy into a working bison operation
• The challenges of fencing and handling these powerful animals
• His approach to regenerative grazing and land stewardship
• Thoughts on bison genetics and today’s bison meat market
• Lessons learned from experimenting with multi-species grazing
• Straightforward advice for anyone looking to get into bison ranching

If you’re curious about bison, regenerative grazing, or just love hearing a good ranching story, you won’t want to miss this one. Dusty’s experience offers practical tips and a real-world look at the ups and downs of raising these incredible animals.

Links Mentioned in the Episode

Cross Timbers Bison Ranch
Cross Timbers Bison on YouTube
This is Oklahoma Podcast with Dusty Baker

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond
GBT Angus

Grazing Grass Links
New Listener Resource Guide

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

Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Chapters

• (00:00) - Introduction and FAST Five
• (00:23) - Welcome to the Grazing Grass Podcast
• (02:01) - Farm Updates and Teeter Farm Tech Gates
• (03:06) - Web Tinkering and Community Projects
• (05:24) - Interview with Dusty Baker Begins
• (05:47) - Dusty's Journey with Bison
• (16:57) - Challenges and Learnings in Bison Farming
• (21:59) - Transition to Full-Time Farming During COVID
• (29:29) - Starting a YouTube Channel
• (35:25) - Regenerative Practices on a Bison Ranch
• (45:05) - Transition to Overgrazing
• (45:59) - Redmond Agriculture Ad
• (46:56) - Getting Started with Bison
• (47:49) - Fencing and Keeping Bison Happy
• (50:25) - Bison Genetics and Breeding
• (57:32) - Bison Meat Market and Business
• (01:00:21) - Challenges with Multi-Species Grazing
• (01:11:34) - Cooking Bison Meat
• (01:14:00) - Famous Four Questions
• (01:25:48) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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 them to transition from market gardening to livestock farming. With backgrounds in organic agriculture and compost production, they have drawn inspiration from influential thinkers like Alan Savory to enhance their approach to farming. Their story is not just about agriculture but also about personal growth, community support, and family dynamics as they navigate their new life in Kansas.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Introduction to regenerative agriculture and Nick and Sarah's background
• Transition from market gardening to livestock farming
• Influence of thinkers like Alan Savory on their practices
• Historical and ecological evolution of agriculture in Maine
• Challenges and emotional aspects of relocating from Maine to Kansas
• Managing livestock in a new environment and adapting to local conditions
• Experiences with flash floods and community support
• Insights into grazing strategies and sustainable farming techniques
• Family dynamics and working with loved ones in a farming context

Listeners should tune in to this podcast episode to gain a comprehensive understanding of regenerative agriculture through the real-life experiences of Nick and Sarah. Their journey is both inspiring and educational, offering practical insights into sustainable farming practices and the resilience required to adapt to new environments. Whether you're an established farmer or someone new to the field, their story provides valuable lessons in managing cash flow, embracing change, and maintaining a sustainable lifestyle. The episode also offers a rich tapestry of historical and ecological perspectives, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of agriculture, sustainability, and personal growth.

Links Mentioned in the Episode

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond
GBT Angus

Grazing Grass Links
New Listener Resource Guide

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

Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Chapters

• (00:00) - Introduction and Fast Five
• (00:50) - Welcome to the Grazing Grass Podcast
• (01:25) - Noble Research Institute Courses
• (02:28) - Starting the Regenerative Journey
• (06:01) - Transitioning to Livestock
• (08:34) - Challenges and Strategies in Farming
• (17:15) - Maine's Agricultural Landscape
• (25:57) - Moving to Kansas: A New Beginning
• (42:37) - Airbnb Adventures and Meeting Greg
• (43:59) - Selling Everything and Moving to Kansas
• (45:37) - Challenges and Changes in Kansas
• (48:45) - Custom Grazing and Scaling Up
• (52:15) - Managing Sheep and Steers
• (01:04:47) - Favorite Resources and Tools
• (01:09:51) - Working with Family and Final Thoughts