Agriculture | The Montana Ranch Adventure

We are so thrilled to introduce to you Homestead Hill Farm and Barbara Womack from Middlebrook, Virginia.

Homestead Hill Farm is a small, diversified farm, selling all products directly to the consumer (mostly through the Staunton/Augusta Farmers’ Market). They have been raising all sorts of vegetables, some fruits, sheep and chickens since 1997. The Farm sells through local Markets and via email during the Market Off Season. Barbara and her husband are the entire workforce like many farming and ranching operations. Barbara says, “He handles the muscle work, post-harvest vegetable handling and logistics. I am the ‘chief cook and bottle washer’, handling births, seed starting and delicate harvesting, among other things. It’s all about teamwork.”

Barbara began to write and blog about their family operation nearly 5 years ago. “I realized that many of our customers had absolutely no idea what happened on a farm…any farm. So, I started our farm blog. We are very blessed to live in a beautiful place, doing meaningful work and it seems very important to share that with those who live elsewhere. While I can only speak from the standpoint of small producer, I feel it imperative to provide un-biased, objective information about all aspects of Ag (particularly since I’ve had customers tell me that I’m the closest they’ll ever come to a ‘real farmer’ —yeah, still trying to figure that one out—haha)”

When asked the question of Why Ag? And Why Blogging? She answered, “Not only do I love growing food and working on the land…I am 50% of the workforce!” Barbara would like to continue to make an impact in educating the public to the importance of Agriculture as well as being a part of the communication that will hopefully help the Ag Industry stand together against the “Anti’s” that continue to threaten this lifestyle.

The Montana Ranch Adventure asked: We want to know your dirty little secret…..ok you don’t have to give that up, but tell me something unique about you, your operation, your family, anything goes!

“If someone had told me twenty years ago that I would be farming full-time at this point in my life (and loving it—most days) I would have laughed out loud. While this certainly wasn’t my long-term plan, I love my life and cannot imagine doing anything else. I would hope to somehow be an inspiration to others who may find themselves in what seems like a soul-crushing, impossible situation…and let them know that it is possible to completely turn it around and thrive in the long-run. Walt Disney was right, ‘You may not realize it at the time, but sometimes a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you!’ “

Thank you Barbara & Homestead Hill Farm for being a part of “The Women Who Get Things Done In Ag” Feature! We are proud of what you are doing. Please take some time to visit Homestead Hill Farm via their Facebook page, Blog, Website, and Flickr account!

I have personally been asked in the past 2 months, “Why Ag?” at least 4 times. Some will ask why did you want to be a part of the Agriculture Industry? Some will ask what does working so hard get you? Some ask why you wouldn’t just try to work a basic 8-5 office job?

To all of these questions there is only one answer I can reply. We do it because we are feeding America as well as many other countries, we love the land, the product we raise and this beautiful lifestyle we get to raise our families in.

They may say there is so much controversy within what you do and how you do it. Your operation and your life is set up for being scrutinized by a majority of the people out there.

So Why Ag?

Without Farming and Ranching where would the food supply come from? So many people are concerned with GMO’s, Roundup Ready Crops, “Responsibly Raised” beef and livestock and so many more “issues” that cause an uproar within both the Ag community and outside of the Ag community.

**Sidenote – If you want to read up on these items, check out the Tri-State Livestock news, and the Beef Magazine they have some great coverage on these stories.**

So again, where would we be without our Farmers and Ranchers? Well we would be looking at processed (and super processed) foods, man made creations of proteins, some type of crazy grains that were created in a scientific lab, and many other foods, fruits and vegetables that would need to be formulated through another means other than using the land that God gave us.

In order to continue to feed the growing population, the Agriculture world needs to have support from all of us. I know there are lots of different issues, but the fact is, that without the current science knowledge that we are using, there would not be enough corn, wheat, flowers, beans, fruits, vegetables, beef, lamb, pork, and all of the other crops and livestock that feed all of us.

Please take the time to read both sides of the Agricultural arguments going on, educate yourself on where your food comes from and teach your children where it comes from. It is so important for the sustainability of our populations as well as the sustainability of our Farmers and Ranchers.

Here is our future – this is how our operation raises YOUR beef in Montana and back in South Dakota we Farm to help feed YOUR families! This is our next generation of Farmers and Ranchers learning first hand what it takes to be a part of the Agricultural Industry.

We were moving yearlings from the valley up to the mountains and the kiddo’s wanted a better look, so glad I had my phone with me to capture this moment of learning with their dad.

We are so blessed with the social media sites, blogs and an outlet to make your voice heard. I am planning to feature other Women who are working in Agriculture and are making their voices heard. This “Girls That Get It Done” Feature will be coming soon so keep watching for them!

The Montana Ranch Adventure

Tag Archives: Agriculture

Meet & Greet: Homestead Hill Farm

Why Ag?

From the Plains to the Peaks!