12: Pull Up A Bale with Samantha Allen!

13: Pull Up A Bale with Kayla Zenner!

This episode runs on @WonderCowColostrum shop.wondercow.com/DAIRYGALVAL or Use code DAIRYGALVAL to save $$     Let's Pull Up A Bale with Kayla Zenner! Instagram @TheFarmStyle   Host: Val Lavigne    @DairyGalVal http://www.pullupabale.com   Summary In this episode of Pull Up a Bale, host Val Lavigne chats with Kayla Zenner, the creator of The Farm Style, a food blog that shares her culinary journey and family life. Kayla discusses her upbringing in agriculture, her transition from teaching to blogging, and the challenges and joys of motherhood. The conversation highlights the importance of community, family support, and the creative process of cooking. Kayla also shares insights on monetizing her blog and her aspirations for future growth, all while engaging in light-hearted rapid-fire questions that reveal her personal preferences and experiences.   Takeaways Kayla is the creator behind The Farm Style, a food blog. She grew up in agriculture and has strong ties to farming. Transitioning from teaching to blogging was a significant change for her. She started sharing her cooking experiences during maternity leave. Building a community through cooking has been rewarding for Kayla. Monetizing her blog took time, but it has grown significantly. Family support has been crucial in her journey as a blogger. Kayla implements a one bite rule for her kids to encourage trying new foods. She finds relaxation in taking baths and reading. Passion is an essential ingredient for success in any venture.   Sound Bites "He is so supportive." "We do have like a one bite rule." "I love taking baths and reading."   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kayla Zenner and Her Journey 11:30 Transition from Teaching to Food Blogging 16:36 Building a Community and Monetizing the Blog 26:05 Future Aspirations and Growth of the Business 28:42 The Daunting Task of Organizing Memories 30:01 Prioritizing Self-Care in Motherhood 32:24 The Magic of Christmas as a Parent 33:47 Baking vs. Cooking: Finding Your Niche 35:31 Comfort Food: Family Favorites 36:57 Finding Relaxation in Hectic Lives 40:14 Staying Active: Balancing Workouts and Motherhood 42:48 Travel Dreams and Family Vacations 45:37 Pursuing Passion: Starting Your Own Business 49:11 The Essential Ingredient for Success

12: Pull Up A Bale with Samantha Allen!

This episode runs on @WonderCowColostrum shop.wondercow.com/DAIRYGALVAL or Use code DAIRYGALVAL to save $$     Let's Pull Up A Bale with Samantha Allen! Instagram @LaneHouseFlorals   Host: Val Lavigne    @DairyGalVal http://www.pullupabale.com Summary In this episode of the Pull Up a Bale podcast, host Val Lavigne speaks with Samantha Allen, a farmer and entrepreneur, about her journey in agriculture, family life, and the challenges and joys of running a flower business. They discuss the importance of community, the impact of social media on business growth, and the balance between work and family. Samantha shares her experiences growing up on a dairy farm, her transition from teaching to entrepreneurship, and the significance of relationships in both personal and professional life. The conversation also touches on the pressures of wedding planning and the beauty of flowers, culminating in a heartfelt discussion about faith and personal growth.   Takeaways Samantha Allen is a farmer, mom, and entrepreneur. Family dynamics play a crucial role in rural life. Growing up on a dairy farm shaped Samantha's work ethic. Education can lead to unexpected career paths in agriculture. Starting a flower business was a personal passion project. Social media has been instrumental in growing her business. Weddings provide a unique opportunity for creativity in floral design. Samantha emphasizes the importance of saying yes to new opportunities. The flower business allows for family involvement and legacy building. Faith and personal growth are central themes in Samantha's life.   Sound Bites "Life is plenty busy even with everybody in school." "We were raised on a farm, right?" "I realized I can actually do this."   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rural Life and Agriculture 02:59 Family Dynamics and Parenting Challenges 05:48 Growing Up on a Dairy Farm 09:35 The Journey to Teaching and Family Life 15:19 The Birth of a Flower Business 25:43 Balancing Business and Family Responsibilities 33:40 The Role of Social Media in Business 36:20 Stepping Outside Comfort Zones: Weddings and Events 39:28 Creativity and Pressure in Wedding Floral Design 41:07 Navigating the Challenges of Social Media and Reviews 42:51 Rapid Fire Fun: Personal Preferences and Insights 53:37 Reflections and Advice for the Younger Self

11: Pull Up A Bale with A Family Thanksgiving!

This episode runs on @WonderCowColostrum shop.wondercow.com/DAIRYGALVAL or Use code DAIRYGALVAL to save $$     Let's Pull Up A Bale with A Family Thanksgiving!   Host: Val Lavigne    @DairyGalVal http://www.pullupabale.com [http://www.pullupabale.com]   Guest: Amanda Benson Summary In this episode of the Pull Up a Bale podcast, Val and her cousin Amanda Benson share their personal Thanksgiving traditions, fun trivia, and favorite dishes. They reminisce about childhood memories, discuss Thanksgiving food preferences, and explore the significance of family gatherings during the holiday. The conversation is filled with laughter, nostalgia, and interesting facts about Thanksgiving, making it a delightful listen for anyone looking to celebrate the holiday spirit.   Takeaways Val and Amanda share their close family bond and Thanksgiving traditions. They discuss fun Thanksgiving trivia and interesting facts. The conversation includes favorite Thanksgiving dishes and recipes. Amanda reveals her preference for dark meat turkey over white meat. They reminisce about childhood memories related to Thanksgiving. The podcast highlights the importance of family gatherings during the holidays. Val and Amanda discuss the evolution of Thanksgiving food trends. They share humorous anecdotes from past Thanksgiving celebrations. The episode emphasizes the significance of nostalgia during the holiday season. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own Thanksgiving memories.   Sound Bites ""What is the fastest someone has ever carved a turkey?"" ""I kind of have to really eat a fresh turkey before."" ""Do you still do the wishbone?""   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Thanksgiving Traditions 02:50 Fun Thanksgiving Trivia and Facts 05:21 Thanksgiving Memories and Family Traditions 10:22 Favorite Thanksgiving Dishes and Recipes 14:48 Thanksgiving Food Preferences and Trends 19:56 Thanksgiving Games and Activities 25:29 Conclusion and Reflections on Thanksgiving

10: Pull Up A Bale with Justin Leyendekker!

This episode runs on @WonderCowColostrum shop.wondercow.com/DAIRYGALVAL or Use code DAIRYGALVAL to save $$   Let's Pull Up A Bale with Justin Leyendekker! Instagram @jfley1287   Host: Val Lavigne    @DairyGalVal http://www.pullupabale.com   Summary In this episode of Pull Up a Bale, host Val Lavigne speaks with Justin Leyendekker, a dairy farmer and board member of Milk Checkoff. They discuss Justin's family legacy in dairy farming, the unique name of his farm, Hoppy Cow's Dairy, and the challenges faced by dairy farmers, particularly regarding water availability. Justin shares his journey from college to returning to the family farm, the fascinating story of his grandfather's immigration and contributions to horse transportation, and his future plans for growth in the dairy industry. The conversation also touches on Justin's passion for brewing and hops, as well as some fun rapid-fire questions that reveal more about his personality.   Takeaways Justin milks 2000 cows and has a family legacy in dairy farming. The name 'Hoppy Cow's Dairy' was inspired by Justin's passion for home brewing. Water availability is a significant challenge for dairy farmers in California. Justin's grandfather played a crucial role in horse transportation by plane. Justin's journey back to dairy farming was unexpected but fulfilling. The dairy industry faces ongoing challenges, including droughts and inflation. Justin is exploring the potential of hops farming as a side project. He believes in taking small steps towards growth in his dairy business. Justin's wife supports his brewing hobby, even if she's not a beer drinker. The importance of starting somewhere resonates with Justin's life philosophy.   Sound Bites "I have some hobby hops." "I love brewing beer." "You gotta start somewhere."   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dairy Farming and Family Legacy 02:45 The Unique Name and Concept of Hoppy Cow's Dairy 05:20 Challenges in Dairy Farming: Water Availability and Droughts 08:25 Justin's Journey: From College to Dairy Farming 11:00 The Immigrant Story: Justin's Grandfather and Frisian Horses 13:50 Family Dynamics in Dairy Farming 16:37 Future Plans and Growth in Dairy Farming 19:43 Hops and Brewing: A Passion Project 22:25 Rapid Fire Questions: Fun Insights into Justin's Life

09: Pull Up A Bale with Mary Faber!

This episode runs on @WonderCowColostrum shop.wondercow.com/DAIRYGALVAL or Use code DAIRYGALVAL to save $$     Let's Pull Up A Bale with Mary Faber! www.marytfaber.com -- website Mary T Faber on Instagram Mary T Faber Solutions on Facebook       Host: Val Lavigne    @DairyGalVal http://www.pullupabale.com   Summary In this episode of Pull Up a Bale, host Val Lavigne speaks with Mary Faber, a virtual bookkeeper for rural entrepreneurs. They discuss Mary's journey from a corporate job to starting her own bookkeeping business, the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, and the importance of balancing work and family life. Mary shares insights on the agricultural industry, the lessons learned from showing cattle, and the realities of building a successful business. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes, rapid-fire questions, and future aspirations.   Takeaways Mary transitioned from a corporate job to virtual bookkeeping during COVID. She has a passion for agriculture and helping rural entrepreneurs. Building a business requires taking risks and trusting your gut. Family and work-life balance are crucial for Mary. Lessons from showing cattle are applicable to life and business. Success is a result of hard work and perseverance. Mary emphasizes the importance of community and connections in agriculture. She enjoys helping clients manage their bookkeeping effectively. Mary's journey includes teaching QuickBooks to others. The conversation highlights the realities behind perceived success.   Sound Bites "I fell in love with working from home." "I learned it the hard way." "Success doesn't happen by chance."   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rural Life and Agriculture Conversations 02:52 Mary Faber: From Corporate to Virtual Bookkeeping 05:39 The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Overcoming Challenges 08:29 Building a Business: The Role of Community and Support 11:18 Balancing Family Life and Business 13:53 Lessons from Agriculture: Setting Goals and Resilience 16:41 The Future of Mary’s Bookkeeping Business 27:41 Balancing Work and Family Life 29:31 The Challenges of Bookkeeping in Agriculture 29:43 Rapid Fire Fun Questions 31:46 Nostalgic Childhood Memories on the Farm 34:10 Comfort Food and Favorite Meals 35:26 Favorite Flowers and Gardening 37:00 Superpowers and Time Travel 40:02 Advice to Younger Self 41:54 The Importance of Hard Work and Dedication