We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maddy Koehler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maddy below.
Maddy, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
Growing up, I dealt with many health issues which lead to me questioning what I was putting into my body. I have since been healing myself through medicinal, nutrient-dense foods such as bone broth, regenerative meats, raw dairy, organic produce & supplements.
Through my health journey, I became curious about how I can raise and grow my own food. To truly take control over my own health, live off the land and have more food freedom. I read many books (specifically by Joel Salatin), went to workshops, volunteered, & worked on many different farms. I tried to soak up as much information as I could. I knew now that I wanted to acquire land and start my own my farm. Whether it was just to feed my family or eventually provide for our local community. Funny enough, I had always dreamt of having land since I was a little girl. But I never knew why and for what purpose until now.
We took a risk, moved further from our families and purchased our property in 2020 to pursue our dreams of farming and slower living. It was truly raw land with nothing on it. It was covered in endless brush and blackberry bushes. Since, we have worked to get a house built, garden established, and cleared for more pasture. We have put so much blood, sweat and tears to get where we are today. I am so proud of us for continuously chasing our dreams and taking risks!
Maddy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
We are first generation farmers working towards self sufficiency, to bring back the skills from our ancestors! Striving to raise food, animals and children how nature intended using regenerative practices!
We currently provide pasture raised chicken eggs, sourdough baked goods, seasonal produce & various natural cleaning/personal products to our local community. I also teach those who are interested in starting their sourdough making journey.
Our future goals are to provide meat and/or dairy products to our community while also educating them about regenerative agriculture and the skills we have learned along the way!
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
I could not have made my dream a reality without my other half! My husband is the hardest worker I know. He has sacrificed so much time, energy and money into our little farm.
We first met at a Sprint cellphone store the summer before our sophomore year of high school. Though we did not stay together then, we reconnected a couple years after graduating. He saw my health struggles first hand in high school and understood my passion behind it. So, when I told him my dreams for a farm one day, he was fully on board. And the rest is history!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
“You can never grow your own food.”
“You know you can just buy your meat, eggs & bread from the store.”
“You’re going to be an outsider.”
“It’s not possible.”
I felt the pressure that there is only one right path to take in being successful.
When we allow ourselves to be held back by these limiting beliefs & comforts, we reduce the joy & happiness from our life experiences. And even the failures that come along with those experiences.
I often feel “imposter syndrome” when teaching others these skills because I am just learning them now and did not grow up with them.
You can learn at any age. I have learned to unlearn all the things that don’t make sense to me anymore. And to learn these forgotten skills.
I know there is purpose in learning these skills to pass down the knowledge.
Push yourself out of your comfort zone and surround yourself with like minded people. Be the outsider!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1749303578/
- Instagram: @koehlerhomestead
