Life on a Regenerative Farm: A Day in the Dirt, a Year in Rhythm

Farming regeneratively isn’t just a job—it’s a way of living deeply connected to the land, the animals, and the seasons.
Every day and every season brings something new, and while there’s always a routine, no two days feel the same. Here’s what life looks like on our regenerative farm, where the work we do isn’t just about feeding ourselves but about giving back to the land and the ecosystem we call home.
The Daily Rhythm
My mornings usually start early—6 AM most days though that’s not entirely by choice; I used to think I was a morning person until I had one. Having little kids around certainly helps get the day going even on days I would rather stay in bed for another hour or two. Once up and caffeinated though, I’m always glad that this is where I get to spend my days. Out of the house, the quiet of the dawn is my favourite part of the day, with just the sounds of birds waking up and animals stirring in their shelters. Morning chores come first, and they usually take about 30 minutes to an hour. It’s basic but essential work—feeding animals, checking water systems, making sure everyone is healthy and accounted for. When it goes smoothly, there is a meditative rhythm to it.
After that, I move into what I call “project time.” This is where the variety really comes in. Depending on the day and the season, I might be repairing fences, cleaning out the woodlot, or setting up chicken brooders for the next batch of birds. After the kids go to bed, it’s time for another round of chores to wrap things up for the day—again, about 30 minutes to an hour to close gates, lock the coop door and make sure everything is snug for the night.
While the routine is there, the tasks change with the seasons, keeping me constantly on my toes, it’s certainly never boring around here.
The Seasons Shape the Work
The seasons don’t just influence what I do; they dictate it. In the spring, the farm comes alive with activity. April is lambing season, which is an all-hands-on-deck kind of month. May is for prepping the garden and brooding chickens. By summer, it’s all about moving animals to fresh pasture, watering the gardens, and processing meat birds. This is also when the days feel longest because there’s so much sunlight and so much to get done.
Fall slows things down just a bit, but it’s still busy with harvesting, breeding livestock, and winterizing the farm to prepare for the cold months ahead. Winter itself has a different rhythm altogether—setting up winter watering systems, arranging hay and straw deliveries, and doing the deep planning for the year to come. It’s quieter, but there’s always something to do.
What Regenerative Farming Means to Me
When people ask me what “regenerative agriculture” means, I tell them it’s about improving the land, not just maintaining it. For me, it’s about putting more back into the soil and ecosystem than I take out. It’s making choices with one question in mind: Does this improve the health of the land, or does it harm it?
This goes beyond sustainability. Sustainability implies keeping things as they are. Regenerative farming is about restoring balance—about rebuilding soil biology, increasing biodiversity, and making the land better than it was when we started.
One of the key ways we do this is through rotational grazing. Our animals move from pasture to pasture, mimicking the natural grazing patterns of wild herds. It prevents overgrazing, lets the land recover, and helps build healthy soil. We also focus on using land that wouldn’t be suitable for crops—like rocky or uneven terrain—and turning it into productive pastures for our grass-fed animals.
A Focus on Rare Breeds
One of the things I’m most proud of is the livestock we raise. We’ve chosen breeds that aren’t just productive but are also rare or endangered. For instance, we have Shropshire sheep, a triple-purpose breed that provides milk, wool, and meat. And then there are the Dexter cattle—smaller than typical cows, which makes them perfect for our 10-acre farm. They’re hardy, efficient grazers, and their beef is absolutely incredible.
By raising these breeds, we’re helping preserve genetic diversity and keeping these resilient animals around for future generations. It’s a small but important contribution to agriculture as a whole.
Staying Local
Community is at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s buying hay, straw, and grain from other local farmers or working with nearby veterinarians and butchers, I believe in keeping our operations as local as possible. Selling our products locally also means we get to build direct relationships with our customers, which is one of the most rewarding parts of this work.
I love educating people about what we do, whether it’s explaining how to cook with lesser-known meat cuts or giving farm tours to show them exactly where their food comes from. It’s amazing to see the connection people feel when they visit the farm and realize how much care goes into every step of the process.
The Challenges and the Joys
Make no mistake—this lifestyle isn’t easy. The work is constant, and there’s always something that needs doing. But it’s incredibly rewarding, too. I get to spend my days outside, working with animals and improving the land. Every day brings new challenges, and that keeps me mentally engaged in a way that few jobs could.
One of the biggest joys is knowing that the work I’m doing is making a real difference. I’m improving the health of our soil, preserving rare breeds, and building a business that connects people to their food in a meaningful way. Seeing customers light up when they taste our products or hear the story behind them—it makes all the hard work worth it.
And then there’s the sheer satisfaction of watching the farm thrive. The pastures grow greener. The animals are healthy and content. The seasons come and go, and with each year, the land gets a little better, a little more balanced. That’s what regenerative farming is all about.
If this glimpse into regenerative farming has sparked your curiosity, I’d love for you to stay connected. Whether you’re looking for ethically raised meats, tips on cooking with seasonal ingredients, or simply want to learn more about how regenerative practices can restore the land, there’s always something new happening here on the farm. Join my email list or follow along on social media for updates, recipes, and a deeper look at life on the farm—it’s a journey I’m excited to share with you!