Aaron and Stephanie Moody are the passionate and dedicated couple behind Moody Family Farm in Bernardston, Massachusetts. Both working as full-time special education teachers, they have embarked on a fulfilling journey into agriculture, combining Aaron’s nostalgic ties to farming from his childhood and Stephanie’s newfound enthusiasm for New England farm life. Their venture, which began in 2014 with grazing cattle, has blossomed into a commitment to sustainable farming practices and community engagement, all while raising their two boys in an environment enriched by the values of hard work and self-sufficiency.

Topics covered in the podcast episode include:

• The Moody family's transition from city life to country farming.
• Challenges and successes in starting a farm on a budget.
• Transitioning to regenerative farming practices.
• Experiences with rotational grazing and meat processing.
• Opening a farm store and community engagement.
• Diverse livestock farming and the importance of USDA inspections.
• Expanding the livestock herd and exploring silvopasturing.
• Inspirations from resources like "Salad Bar Beef" by Joel Salatin.
• The balance of managing teaching careers with farm responsibilities.
• Lessons learned and aspirations for sustainable farming.

Listeners should tune into this episode to gain a heartfelt and insightful look into the world of small-scale, sustainable farming. The Moodys' journey offers practical wisdom and inspiration for aspiring farmers and those interested in agriculture. Through candid discussions on their successes and missteps, listeners can learn valuable lessons about community support, resource management, and the rewarding challenges of farming. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about self-sufficiency and regenerative agriculture, as it provides both a realistic portrayal and a hopeful vision of farming life.

Links Mentioned in the Episode
Moody Family Farm on Instagram

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

GBT Angus
Online Bull Auction

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 to Moody Family Farm
• (00:34) - Fast Five Questions
• (01:14) - Grazing Grass Podcast Overview
• (01:54) - Noble Grazing Essentials Event
• (02:42) - Farm Updates and Tips
• (04:17) - Aaron and Stephanie's Farming Journey
• (04:54) - Backgrounds and Early Influences
• (06:04) - First Steps into Farming
• (07:16) - Teaching Careers and Farming
• (08:00) - Expanding the Farm
• (10:33) - Challenges and Learning Experiences
• (14:24) - Regenerative Practices and Community Support
• (26:29) - Marketing and Processing Challenges
• (27:08) - Future Plans and Family Involvement
• (30:30) - USDA Loan and Moving Challenges
• (31:59) - Winter Farming and Historical Insights
• (37:26) - Sweater Weather and Historic Homes
• (37:45) - Functional Traits for Your Cow Herd
• (38:50) - Renovating Abandoned Pastures
• (40:08) - Challenges and Successes in Pasture Restoration
• (43:40) - Expanding the Herd and Exploring New Species
• (47:22) - Building Community and Relationships
• (54:09) - Famous Four Questions
• (01:08:50) - Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode, we are joined by Trevor and Cheryl Brannvold, the passionate owners of GBT Angus in Southeast Saskatchewan. Their journey into cattle farming began in Trevor's high school years and has since blossomed into a successful family business that also includes a budding sheep enterprise managed by their son. With a focus on regenerative agriculture, Trevor and Cheryl share their experiences and insights on modern livestock practices, sustainability, and resilience, providing listeners with a comprehensive look at their innovative approach to farming.

Topics covered include:

• The Brannvold family's journey with Angus cattle
• The benefits of calving at two years of age versus three years of age
• Insights into regenerative grazing practices
• The impact of the BSE crisis on their operations
• The transformative role of continuous education and conferences in enhancing their farming practices
• The logistics of hosting an online bull sale
• The genetic selection criteria for fertility and practicality
• The use of stockpiled grazing to support cattle during harsh winters

Listeners should tune in to this episode to discover practical insights into sustainable livestock production and the evolving landscape of cattle farming. Trevor and Cheryl's firsthand experiences and strategic decisions offer valuable lessons for both seasoned farmers and those new to the field. With a focus on profitability and sustainability, this episode provides inspiration and guidance for anyone interested in embracing change and innovation in agriculture.

Links Mentioned in the Episode
GBT Angus
Online Bull Auction

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

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 to Trevor and Cheryl Branvold
• (00:26) - Fast Five Questions
• (02:33) - Welcome to the Grazing Grass Podcast
• (03:07) - Noble Grazing Essentials Course
• (04:01) - Current Farm Season Update
• (05:21) - New Podcast Segments
• (06:56) - Early Life and Farming Background
• (16:37) - Introduction to Regenerative Practices
• (23:41) - Holistic Management and Grass Fed Exchange
• (30:21) - Transition to Spring Calving
• (41:26) - Breeding and Genetics Focus
• (48:44) - Management Practices for First Calvers
• (50:13) - Challenges in Breeding and Production
• (51:09) - Debating Breeding Ages for Livestock
• (52:55) - Financial Implications of Breeding Practices
• (55:09) - Stockpile Grazing: A Game Changer
• (01:02:52) - Upcoming Bull Sale Details
• (01:10:31) - Famous Four Questions
• (01:23:51) - Host's Journey and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Nathan Stucky of Stucky Family Ranch returns to discuss the latest innovations in sustainable agriculture. From integrating new cattle genetics to exploring advanced data collection with Rooted Ag, Nathan shares his journey over the past year. He delves into the challenges of adaptive grazing and the use of AI in modern farming, highlighting strategies to improve cattle health and enhance farm revenue. Nathan also shares his insights on managing social media challenges and future plans to combat common cattle issues through innovative solutions.

Today's topics include:

• New cattle genetics integration
• Data collection with Rooted Ag
• Challenges of adaptive grazing
• AI in modern farming
• Improving cattle health
• Enhancing farm revenue
• Social media management

Listen to this episode to gain valuable insights from Nathan Stucky's pioneering work in sustainable agriculture. Discover how innovative genetics, AI tools, and adaptive grazing strategies can revolutionize your farming practices and help you navigate the complexities of modern livestock production. Whether you're an experienced rancher or new to the field, this episode offers practical tips and inspiration to drive your agricultural success.

Links Mentioned in the Episode
Strucky Family Ranch
Rooted Ag

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute
Redmond
2025 Manderley Farms Grazing Conference

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) - 159. Pioneering New Paths in Agriculture with Nathan Stucky
• (00:45) - Introduction and Fast Five Questions
• (06:30) - Overview of Stucky Family Ranch
• (07:25) - Breeding and Livestock Management
• (08:56) - Challenges and Solutions in Grazing
• (18:32) - Marketing and Social Media Strategies
• (23:49) - Future Plans and Innovations
• (31:27) - Drone Spraying Insights
• (32:06) - Introduction to Rooted Ag
• (33:42) - Data Collection and Usage
• (35:31) - Time Management in Regenerative Agriculture
• (38:40) - AI and Technology in Farming
• (42:23) - Tracking and Reporting Tools
• (46:11) - Adaptive Grazing Strategies
• (47:33) - Subscription and User Experience
• (56:54) - Famous Four Questions