184. Grit, Grazing, and Grass-Fed Dairy with Wyatt Jones

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