58. Raising Chickens & Building Soil w/ Michelle Bearmar

In this episode of Hands in the Soil, we sit down with Michelle Bearmar of Black Mountain Farm, a diversified farm rooted in pasture-raised poultry, eggs, vegetables, and regenerative land stewardship. After years of raising chickens, gardening, and learning alongside her family, she found herself pulled deeper into small-scale agriculture through Wild Willow Farm’s Winter School and sustainable agriculture studies. What began as a backyard pursuit eventually became a full-time farm business.We talk about why chickens became the heart of her farm, what pasture-raised poultry actually looks like in practice, and how animals, soil, and vegetables all function together as one living system. Michelle shares the realities of raising birds on pasture, from feed costs and predator protection to geese as guard animals and building healthier soil through rotational systems. We also dive into the less glamorous but equally important side of farming: business, record keeping, and learning how to make a farm financially sustainable. This conversation is full of practical wisdom for anyone dreaming of starting a farm, and a reminder that farming is as much about community and long-term learning as it is about growing food.Tune in to learn more about:Michelle’s journey from engineering into full-time farmingWhy chickens became the foundation of Black Mountain FarmWhat pasture-raised poultry really means, and how it differs from conventional systemsThe role of supplemental feed, custom grain mixes, and why feed is one of the biggest farm expensesHow geese became unexpected protectors against aerial predatorsRotational grazing, chicken tractors, and how birds improve pasture healthHow poultry and vegetables work together to build soil fertilityThe importance of feeding soil microbes instead of just feeding plantsThe challenge of learning the business side of farmingWhy mentorship, community, and starting small matter so much for new farmersConnect + Learn MoreVisit Black Mountain Farm:https://farmblackmountain.com/Instagram: @black_mtn_farmConnect with Hannah: ⁠⁠⁠@hannahkeitel ⁠⁠Foundations in Land StewardshipMichelle is one of our farm teachers in the upcoming Foundations in Land Stewardship program here in San Diego.This 3-month in-person farm school is designed for aspiring farmers, land stewards, and anyone looking to deepen their relationship with land and food systems. Throughout the program, we’ll be visiting farms and learning directly from experienced growers and land stewards—including Michelle at Black Mountain Farm.We’re so excited to begin and to get to learn from her in person soon.You can find more details here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.handsinthesoil.farm/farmschool