Navigating Change, Legacy, and the Future of the Family Farm

“We have to evolve to keep what we have.”  In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Hannah and Ashley Rainville, two sisters from a multi-generational dairy farm in northern Vermont, to talk about what it looks like to face one of the hardest decisions in agriculture—stepping away from the system you were raised in.  Hannah and Ashley share the reality behind their family’s decision to sell their dairy herd after generations of milking cows. What started as a tough winter filled with breakdowns, low milk prices, and mounting pressure turned into a deeper conversation about sustainability—not just financially, but for their family, their future, and their way of life.  We talk about the emotional weight of that decision, what it means to redefine legacy, and how they’re beginning to build a new path forward. From experimenting with gardening and livestock to exploring direct-to-consumer opportunities, they’re not walking away from farming—they’re reshaping it.  This episode is a powerful listen for anyone navigating change in agriculture, questioning the systems they’ve been handed, or trying to figure out what comes next for their farm and their family.    Key Topics:  The reality behind selling a family dairy herd Why the traditional dairy model is becoming harder to sustain The emotional side of change and decision-making on a family farm What it means to protect legacy while doing things differently How small experiments can shape a new direction for your farm Building a diversified, direct-to-consumer model Why family—not the operation—has tocome first Navigating uncertainty while creating new opportunities   LINKS  Follow Hannah & Ashley Rainville: TikTok & Facebook: RainvilleRizzz  Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!  Marketing Routine class, do so here!  Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.  Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart  I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.    Other Episodes You May Enjoy:  Episode #112: A Family Legacy of Dairy and Determination  A deep dive into what it really means to grow up in dairy farming and carry that responsibility forward. This episode explores the connection between family, livestock, and identity—and the pressure that comes with keeping it all going.  Episode #90: Current State of Farming – A Tale of Two Scales  This episode breaks down one of the biggest tensions in agriculture today—the gap between small family farms and large-scale operations—and what that means for the future of the industry.  Episode #74: Capturing Profit from Heifers with Direct-to-Consumer Beef  A practical look at what diversification can actually look like on a farm, including selling direct-to-consumer and building additional income streams beyond traditional models.    About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright:     I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.     Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.