Eileen Napier and Stan Hayes of Ramstead Ranch teamed up around their common interests in organic gardening, permaculture, and healthy living. They started on two acres and sold eggs on the honor system, and then the project grew––they bought ranch land in the Pend Oreille Valley, in the northeastern corner of Washington State and soon expanded to 240 acres. Brining in business skills from their own experiences outside of agriculture, they’ve built a enterprise that employs twelve people and has a thriving online component, while still serving a predominantly local community.
TIMELINE
4’30 how they met and got into regenerative agriculture
6’06 started on two acres with animal rights
7’51 started by selling eggs on the honor system in the driveway, then went to greens and poultry at the farmers market
9’05 Jean saw people getting heavier and sicker in her medical practice, so they wanted to be growing and sourcing healthy food
10’12 went from two acres to 120 and then expanded to 240
11’40 food is key to good health long term, nothing, even supplements, can replace good food
13’38 it all goes to the microbial health of the soil
15’02 soil health = economic success
15’29 their regenerative methods kept their land and animals thriving though drought
16’57 neighbors not interested in why their land was thriving…industry slow to change
18’10 listening to the animals and land, while also doing a lot of science
19’20 the advantage of being newcomers
20’53 it’s hard to make transitions if you’re raised in the older traditions
23’06 they use no inputs at all…no pesticides, hormones, fertilizers, sprays, antibiotics, vaccines steroids
23’43 their animas are very healthy
24’38 how the business evolved
27’07 making even small gestures toward land health made a huge difference in the land bouncing back
30’11 the importance of healthy systems for a strong business
33’09 building a direct marketing business and working with other ranchers and farmers as the business grew
35’05 multiple ways to sell their product, including shipping but also farmers markets and pickup at farm
38’02 how they were able to get access to land while many people are unable to do that
40’10 bringing together people who are retiring with young people who want to farm and start farm businesses
43’29 their succession plan exists but they’re not planning to retire any time soon
44’26 creating a “family of choice”
45’24 using the practice of business to produce what you want in the world and show a model of healthy business
46’59 how they handle predators … livestock guardian dogs
54’11 ramsteadranch.com
54’25 they love to have visitors to the ranch ramsteadranch.com
56’21 forming a great team of people through giving them responsibility and resources
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