In this 239th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Adam and I discuss attending small town tree lighting ceremonies and building new barrel garden planters. We also discuss the 2024 Acres USA Eco-Ag Conference including new trends in Regenerative Agriculture and homestead and small farm business ideas.
Adam attended all four days of the 2024 Acres USA Eco-Ag Conference, and he had a chance to attend presentations from Gabe Brown, Mark Shepard, and even Joel Salatin. He got to shake hands and rub elbows with a lot of leaders in the Regenerative Agriculture world, and in this episode, Adam leads the way and give us a recap of what he learned and what interesting things are coming down the pike in the Regenerative Agriculture space. I am curious if Joel Salatin talked about his new position as an advisor in the new administration and new policies he will be pushing.
At the same time, our audience provided some good feedback and interaction with us, and Adam and I had a chance to brainstorm about what we would do to start a small business on a 8-agre homestead. Adam has an 8-acre homestead and has had a lot of irons in the fire, and I had a 10-acre homestead before moving to The Landing. We come up with some interesting ideas, and our listeners appreciated the brainstorming session.
About the 49th annual Acres USA Eco-Ag Conference
Last week was the 49th annual Acres USA Eco-Ag Conference in Madison, WI. Acres started in 1971 when a man named Charlie Walters started USA Acres in 19712 (before I was born, but part of the back to the land movement that my good friend Greg Burns described in our Homesteading 101 Episode). Charlie’s philosophy was summed as the following:
“To be economical, agriculture must be ecological.”
As a person who has lived on a 10-acre homestead and got sprayed by a neighbor trying to kill the beautiful alphapha, I concur. I have seen what sprays can do to the voles, moles, and field mice, and those chemicals end up affecting the higher levels of the food chain as predators do what they do best and consume those other critters that get sprayed. It isn’t pretty or fun.
The goals of the 49th annual Acres USA Eco-Ag Conference are the following:
1. Exceptional learning from leading farmers, agronomists, and others who are pioneering a new way to farm ecologically and economically.
2. Engagement with innovative companies building tools and services to help you surpass your regenerative farming goals.
3. Connecting with your peers who are also seeking to chart a new path forward for their regenerative operations and with experienced growers and agronomists who have valuable lessons learned and are ready to share.
Adam attended all four days of the 49th annual Acres USA Eco-Ag Conference, and in this episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast and 10th Episode of the ANT Livestream, he provides a summary of people he saw and talked to at the conference.
Links
Show Sponsor
This live-stream is brought to you by A Modern Frontier Farms: Modern Frontier Farms Website
Get all your pasture-raised beef, pork and chicken from A Modern Frontier Farms! Grass Fed; Grass Raised; 100% Delicious!
When he isn’t at a Farmer’s Market or hanging out with his wonderful wife and beautiful kids, Adam can be found at the following locations:
Other Related Shows
Adam has been a guest on the Small Scale Life Podcast a number of times. Here is a quick list of shows where he has been the guest or cohost:
- 20 Simple Steps for Better Holiday Season – ANT Live 9
- How to Find Your First Customer – ANT Live 8
- Dreams and Goals: How to Manifest Your Future – ANT Live 7
- How to Find Your Passion: From Hobbies to Heartbeat – ANT Live 6
- Boredom: A Path to Mindfulness and Innovation – ANT Live 5
- Hustles and Hurdles: Side Hustles and the Gig Economy – ANT Live 4
- Mindset and Milestones: Prepping for a Life Upgrade – ANT Live 3
- The Importance of Getting Away – ANT Live 2
- Catching up with Adam Rick from Modern Frontier Farms – ANT Live 1
- Small Scale Life Episode 198 – Grass Fed Farm Business with Adam Rick
- Small Scale Life Episode 199 – Creating Heritage Meals and Deep Roots with Adam Rick
In Closing….
From the North to the South
From the East to the West and
Everywhere in between.
May the gods, spirits and folk
Be blessed at this place.
May we heal the land and
Protect the soil, animals and plants.
May we live in strength and love.
Leading the Way
As we learn, do grow and
Be a little better everyday!
This is Tom from the Small Scale Life Podcast. Have a great week! We’ll be back soon with another show. In the meantime, stay safe and take care everybody!
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Special Thanks
For Small Scale Life Podcasts, I would like to thank Sean at Osi and the Jupiter for the intro song "Harvest." Sean wrote this specifically for us, and I really enjoy all of his work. You can find more Osi and the Jupiter at their Bandcamp site: https://osifolk.bandcamp.com/
I would also like to thank Austin Quinn at Vlog Vibes for the intro and outro music. For more information abut Austin and Vlog Vibes, please see the Vlog Vibes YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY80LeqtJf-YBzJy2TWKpDw
DISCLAIMER
I am not a doctor, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or a therapist. I am not in or connected to the medical community. Always consult a professional before trying any of these activities or any practice. Create and live your Small Scale Life at your own risk, but do it carefully and at your own risk. All actions you participate in are voluntary and at your own risk.