The FARMily Life

Ep 16. Building Confidence, Shopping the Perimeter of the Grocery Store, and Blue Collar Labor

Matt & Jerica start this episode with Matt's recent antics of getting pulled over while hauling the tiny-house (a second time), and the interaction with the police officer that followed.  They recall just how Matt's confidence what shattered 20 years ago when struggling with Ulcerative Colitis, when he was self-conscious to even leave the house. How should the American parent with little ones prioritize their dollars, time, and day with the current societal demands? Homesteading...the new trend.  Here's a warning before you invest it all in a mini-farm.   Then they round off the time with a discussion about the neglect of the Blue-collar trade in America, and the transfer of the dollar from the pockets of the entertained to that of the worker...or the inflater. They end by reminding themselves that we brought nothing into this world, and we can carry nothing out...so having food and shelter, with these, we should be content.  We ought not to be driven by the love of money or power or fame...for they are fleeting--I Timothy 6:6-10

Ep 15. House Moving, "Matt's So Predictable," & How Now Shall We Eat?

Happy Independence Day! In this 4th of July episode, Matt and Jerica review some of the antics of the week--Matt decided to move a small house from Henderson, and Jerica had to pull her foot out of her mouth after calling him "predictable."  She recanted after he proposed to start acting more spontaneously!  They reviewed some of the issues in getting a permit to move a 15-foot tall building down the road! They then meander back to the business of farming and discuss necessity of ingenuity and labor-cost reduction to stay a viable business, and the economy of scale.  One of the tasks that Matt started to learn early on was refrigeration installation and diagnosis--an industry in itself! Jerica brought up the "should I only eat organic" question, and her insights on how to eat.   The conversation is rounded out with the discussion of mono-crop farming, pest mitigation, high-density grazing, what the Cadmans eat for breakfast, the use of iodine to treat mastitis, vegetable oils, preservatives, the freezing of meat...and so many other things!  Oh my... This episode ends with a meditation on Psalm 119-- “before I was afflicted I went astray…it is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.”

Ep 14. When the Bear Creek Wildfire Burned the Ranch

Almost exactly 13 years ago, Shady Grove Ranch was in the middle of a 50,000 acre wildfire. It was our first full year of farming.  In this podcast, Jerica and I sat down for the first time since that fateful event to try to recall the whole epic adventure during that terrifying week. From evacuation and transporting cattle off the ranch, to water-dropping helicopters, bulldozed fences, and a fire tornado, we each shared our perspective that we saw during the Bear Creek Fire. That week turned into a race to save life, limb, and home, and functioned as a tool for emotional, mental, and business growth. We hope you enjoy this true story.

Ep 13. Trailer on the tracks! Sheltered kids, truth at all costs, and the Golden Rule in marketing.

Matt and Jerica recap the biggest food-involved event EVER at the ranch (the first regional meet-up for the American Pastured Poultry Producer's Association.) Jerica spoke on the uniqueness of farm marketing and how the Golden Rule (do unto others as you would have them do unto you), then Matt dives into why it's important to tell the truth at all costs.  We have a discussion on whether homeschooled kids will grow up unsocialized and sheltered. Then Matt tells a scary story about an incident involving a cattle trailer full of cattle, stuck on the railroad tracks near our ranch!

Ep 12. "Putting out a Fleece", the Deceptive Marketing of Pharmaceuticals, and Helping Kids Past Addiction

This week's episode covers a a variety of topics. Jerica starts by recounting this week's vehicle issue, as well as her conversation with God. :) And then Matt remembers "Gideon's fleece" and the improper ways to apply this Biblical story in our lives today. No episode would be complete without a good discussion on why food should be used as medicine and in fact it's long-term effects are probably way Superior to any pharmaceutical drug you can use, including zero negative side effects! And then They land on some of Matt's hobby horses: the philosophical errors of the pharmaceutical / medical field, and the necessity to help your children out of addiction through strong and wise parenting strategies.