From Conventional to Regenerative: One Family's Journey to Building a Sustainable Farm

Farming on Purpose

“ So yeah the balance of the family and the business and the farming and all that, just trying to get more systematic and efficient so that we can balance it all.”

Abby and Brooks Bowser started farming conventionally at age 20, but after realizing their corn and soybean operation wasn't sustainable, they transformed their Southern Michigan farm into a regenerative cattle operation. Now they run Bowser Family Farms, raising cattle and pigs on pasture while Abby manages both their retail meat business and a flower farm. Their story shows how determination, adaptation, and family support can help build a thriving small farm.

Key Topics:

Transitioning from conventional to regenerative farming

Small farm financial sustainability

Starting farming at a young age

Balancing multiple businesses (meat retail and flower farming)

Seasonal time management as a farming family

The importance of systematic approaches in agriculture

Learning to adapt and change initial farming plans

Moving from commodity crops to direct-to-consumer sales

Family life while building an agricultural business

Marketing challenges for local farm products

LINKS

Farming on Purpose hits 100 episodes! To celebrate, we're giving away exclusive merch and two fantastic children's books: "A Day on the Farm with Mama" by Andrea LeFevre and "Charlie Learns to be a Cowboy" by Danika Kester.

Enter by December 31st:

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Winner will be announced January 1st!

Thank you for joining us as we explore success stories in agriculture and build stronger farm families, stronger food systems, and stronger rural legacies. Here's to the next 100 episodes!

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Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Episode 84: From Dairy Farm Dreams to Self-Made Farmer: Derek Penrod's Journey

Episode 62: Your Life's Bingo Card and Flower Farming with Liz Fiedler of Sunny Mary Meadow Farms

Episode 80: Barn Restored into Butcher Shop Supports Growing Business Dreams

About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright:

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.

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