Farming with Family

Have you heard about the tractors blocking highways and driving through capitol cities in the EU?  If you haven’t, those videos are worth a google. This a reason, among many, you need to vote and vote smart this election year. So why should you vote in such a way to support local farmers? Listen here to learn all about it. Your vote impacts farmers' costs, revenue and ability to provide high quality locally-raised food at an affordable price. This also means you need to  Do research on propositions and candidates Be an advocate for agriculture Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

Garrett Interviews Dallin Miller, of Miller and Sons Construction. They discuss what it’s like to be a general contractor in rural America They cover firing subs, your employee picks in trade labor industries, and more people problems. The crux of the discussion is whether or not rural land/ag land should be developed into housing. Hear both sides of the argument here. Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

Your grocery bill is high because, well, inflation. But what all goes into pricing your beef?  What does that cheap meat at the grocery store really contain? Facebook rumors about coloring and other stuff being put into it. Beef in general is going to be more expensive per pound than other foods because it’s protein. It has all your essential amino acids. So yes it’s going to be more expensive than your loaf of bread per oz. Red meat is also on the up cycle right now thanks to keto, low carb and the carnivore movements.  But in general - beef is more expensive for these reasons: If it’s local, you’re going to be paying to know where your meat comes from.  It takes more than a year to create the product It takes a metric crap ton of feed/land and water  It’s livestock - you’re always gambling on them So is it worth it to still buy red meat and to buy it local if possible?  Absolutely. Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

If you think you (or your kid) should work on a farm for the life experience, we agree. But here are some things we look for in an applicant. Work ethic  Desire to have a purpose rather than just a paycheck  Willingness/desire to learn  Punctuality  Communication  No whining Don't forget to leave a review and share with your friends. Thanks for helping the podcast grow. Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

What are some ways you can entertain yourself while driving equipment? Or maybe just when you're on a road trip (use common sense and do what's legal). Podcasts Audiobooks talk about hoopla and Libby Get a good headset and call long lost friend or your mother-in-law Facebook marketplace Manage your budget with every dollar or something similar  Netflix YouTube  Praying  Straightening the other person’s lines in swathing  Count how many rows in you are  Eating Communicating with other drivers Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

Same value system  Patient/flexible schedule  Good at being alone/have hobbies  Persistent about quality time  An understanding of the fiscal responsibility of having a farm  Bonus  They should probably at least want to have kids or pass on a farm, because that’s the whole point of building a farm for most people  Skills/knowledge/networking that they can offer to the farm  Doesn’t mind the smell of poo Does their own laundry  Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

T-shirt winner is: I <3 milkingshorthorns on Apple Podcasts  send us your size and address preferably via Instagram or Facebook and we’ll get that shirt to you!  Stewardship is a buzzword especially in the ag and farming worlds. Why? Because it’s a term that more or less encapsulates what we do. The principles of stewardship easily apply to the vocation of farming, however they apply to any vocation. Biblical roots of stewardship Everything you have that is good or even neutral is from God. Anything that is not sinful is from God. This means your body, family, personality, skill set, land, animals, job, money - He is the creator of it all and the giver. So what does that translate to in practice? We care for our animals and plants.  As Adam did with eve and God in the garden, you work as a team under the authority and guidance of God.  Steward, the people in your life. Think of the tiny stewards in your life. Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

- T-shirt giveaway time! Be entered to win a “Support Your Local Farmer” comfort colors tee by doing the following. Each of these is a single entry, meaning you have many chances to win if you do all of them: 1) write a review wherever you listen to your podcast 2) screenshot this episode as you’re listening and share on Facebook or Instagram stories and tag us @darilanefarms 3) post this on Instagram or Facebook with a review and tag us @darilanefarms - Troll roasting on social media Q&A time: Who’s our favorite sibling? How can we diversify confidently? Especially when we’re scared to lose money in the process BONUS: a random and awesome diversification income idea What’s our favorite farm chore? How do you separate difference in titles of coworker and family? What’s the balance of developing ag land into housing while still maintaining rural America? What is the most valuable advice we’ve ever been given and how has it changed our life? Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

Garrett wraps up his conversation with his mom, Lori. They discuss all things raising kids on the farm: Homeschooling Working with her kids on the farm Passing the farm onto the next generation Dreams and future plans on the farm Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

An episode on farm safety specifically regarding equipment: - What to do when you see farm equipment in front of or behind you on the road - Best colors to wear when you're around farming/harvest equipment - kids and farming safety - our best livestock safety tips - a couple stories to bring it all together. Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

Ever catch yourself day dreaming about ways to make more income from the family's farm? Here are 11 ideas to get you started: Add another breed or species  Event venue  Custom farming/harvesting/spraying  Feed sales/hay sales Custom feeding Mechanical shop Contracting - construction, trucking Manure sales  Nature school Agritourism  Education - AI Leave a review to help us grow! Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

Ashley sits down with the farm mom queen herself, Lori Hanson, to discuss how she came back to the family farm and what it was like raising little kids on the farm. Join us for part 1! - Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Music: Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

We cover many of the ways we communicate. Some over-communicate while others could talk more. Garrett gives Ashley some tips on how to work with others better as fellow farmers and family members. Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

We define off farm income, discuss its various values. Garrett seems to use off farm income as another name for off-farm spouses, something the two seem to disagree upon. We also cover how much off-farm spouses should get a say in how the farm operates. Ashley concludes that it’s the same as her giving work advice to her husband for his off-farm job. The two bring up another touchy subject, which is making sure off-farm spouses are supportive of the demands that farm life brings in exchange for its benefits. Listen to one of the more feisty debates between brother sister farm duo with Ashley and Garrett. (As feisty as it gets when you’re not the most confrontational farm folk). Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms

Today we’re talking to Alyx Cory, our sister and local youth-in-ag superstar. She runs the non profit 509 Show Circuit and has experience in various areas of youth agriculture and ag ed. We cover how we can support kids with our time, money, experience and patience. Most importantly, we discuss why farmers’ involvement in youth is so important, and not as time consuming as you think.  Invest in kids. They hold the future of your farm and ours. Follow along on instagram @darilanefarms Follow on Facebook @darilanefarms Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

We discuss whether or not farmers should change their farming practices to meet consumer demand. This includes pesticide and herbicide use, GMOs, grass vs. grain finished, and more.  There’s a balance to find in appeasing the customer, holding true to what you believe in as a producer, and still making a profit at the end of the day. Follow us on facebook or instagram @darilanefarms.

Garrett interviews Andrew, a fellow generational farmer in South Dakota, engaged in a feedlot beef production and crops. This episode discusses the balance between old fashioned and modern commercial methods in the life of a farmer and what they produce. Andrew's family's succession plan varies from Garrett and Ashley's and involves more siblings, which proves complex. Enjoy as these college roommates banter about all things farm life and family. Follow along on Instagram @darilanefarms

Get your burning questions answered in this episode on how we have sold beef direct to consumer over the last five years. From craigslist to social media, Ashley covers what her experience has been and where she has found both success and failure in reaching local customers. This discussion centers strictly on local customers as opposed to shipping beef. We believe in supporting local families first and most so long as they're willing to support local farmers. Like, follow and give us a review. Better yet, send this episode to your farming friends to share the love. Connect with us: Facebook: @darilanefarms Instagram: Ashley: @darilanefarms Garrett: @hansongarrett

No. 4: Robotic Milkers - How it’s going now We discuss how the use of robotic milkers (Lely A5’s) has changed our farm. This includes changes in: production herd health labor demands family dynamics how we dream about the future of the farm Like, follow, and give us a review. Better yet, send this episode to your farming friends to share the love. Connect with us: Facebook: @darilanefarms Follow us on instagram: Ashley: @Darilanefarms Garrett: @hansongarrett Cover Art: Emily Bierce Music: Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

We discuss our family’s current succession plan and how it’s going. Sweat equity vs. buying in Siblings off the farm Diversifying to support current families What it’s like having these conversations Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram @Darilanefarms. Music: Harley Davidson by Beat Mekanik via Free Music Archive license CC BY

In this episode, we cover the timeline of implementing robotic milkers on our 220 cow dairy. We discuss barn fabrication, robot installation, herd transition and what it was like doing this with 3 generations of farmers at the same time. We admit our mistakes and celebrate some of our successes. Follow us on facebook and instagram @darilanefarms.

Welcome to the first episode of Farming with Family, where we talk about the good the bad and the ugly of generational farming. We introduce your hosts, Garrett and Ashley, sibling dairy farmers in Eastern Washington State.  We cover why there's a need to discuss the actual day-in-day-out life of generational farmers. The goal of our podcast is to provide you with relatable content about what it’s like to farm with older generations and to diversify to make the operation sustainable for ourselves and our kids. We want to offer you systems, mindset shifts, tools and testimonies to improve your farm’s longevity. Not because we’re experts, but because we want to learn this stuff alongside you.  Follow us on facebook and instagram @darilanefarms.