The Journey from Timber Stands to Thriving Pasture: Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Delays

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October 13, 2024

The past two years have been an incredible journey as we’ve worked to transform our newly acquired land from unmanaged soft and hardwood timber stands into a flourishing pasture for our regenerative farming enterprise. As many who’ve ventured into farming know, the road is never straightforward. The process has been filled with challenges—particularly with contractors, fencing issues, and delays that have tested our patience. However, looking back, we realize that these setbacks may have been a blessing in disguise, giving us the time and space needed to establish a stronger foundation for our farm.

Purchasing the Land: The Beginning of a Dream

When we first purchased the land, we knew the journey ahead would be full of hard work. The property had been neglected for years, overgrown with unmanaged timber and brush. Our vision was to restore this land through regenerative agriculture, creating rich, healthy pastures for our pasture-raised poultry and eggs. But before any of that could happen, we needed to clear the land, build fences, and put the basic infrastructure in place.

The Fencing Hurdles: Plans Delayed

One of our biggest challenges came with the fencing. Proper fencing is crucial for managing livestock on regenerative farms. It allows us to implement rotational grazing, protect our animals, and ensure that the land is restored through careful management. We were eager to get this done quickly, but finding reliable contractors proved to be more difficult than we anticipated.

Several times, we scheduled contractors only to face repeated delays. Poor workmanship, unkept commitments, and a shortage of skilled labor meant that what should have taken a few months dragged on for far longer. Each setback pushed back our ability to bring animals onto the property, disrupting our plans for expansion and growth. At times, it felt like the vision we had for Epic Pastures was slipping further from our grasp.

The Silver Lining: Time to Grow

However, as frustrating as these delays were, they also gave us an unexpected advantage: time. Time to let the land breathe and recover. Time for the grasses to grow, the soil to rejuvenate, and the ecosystem to begin its healing process.

The truth is, transforming land from timber to pasture isn’t just about cutting down trees and putting up fences. It's about restoring balance to the land—allowing native grasses to take root, letting the soil regain its health, and creating an environment that can support more animals over the long term. The extra months gave us space to focus on these critical aspects without the immediate pressure of managing livestock on land that wasn’t quite ready.

Learning and Establishing Foundations

During this period, we also had the chance to deepen our knowledge and understanding of regenerative practices. We took the time to establish smaller, more manageable enterprises that could grow alongside the land. We explored planting more diverse forage species, understanding the local ecosystem better, and planning our future rotations with care.

Instead of rushing into things, we had the opportunity to build a solid foundation for our farm's future. These setbacks forced us to slow down, but in doing so, they allowed us to make more thoughtful decisions, ensuring that when we are ready to scale up, we’ll be prepared.

Looking Ahead

Now, with our fencing finally nearing completion, the pastures are growing in lush and strong, and our dream is starting to take form. Though the last two years have tested us, they’ve also shaped us into more resilient, adaptive farmers. The delays have allowed us to establish a deeper connection with the land and set the stage for future success.

At Epic Pastures, we’re excited for what lies ahead. We are committed to restoring this land, not just for the sake of producing healthy, pasture-raised poultry and eggs, but for the broader goal of regenerating the soil and creating a sustainable ecosystem. While the journey may have taken longer than we planned, it has given us the time we needed to ensure that both the land and our farm can thrive for years to come.

Thank you for being part of our journey as we move closer to fully realizing our vision. Stay tuned as we continue to grow and expand, one pasture, one animal, and one season at a time.

Building a Reliable Water System for Our Pastures: A Step-by-Step Journey

At Epic Pastures, our commitment to regenerative agriculture means more than just restoring the land; it also requires ensuring the infrastructure supports our vision for sustainable farming. One of the most critical aspects of managing our farm is providing water access across all the pastures, ensuring our livestock always has a reliable supply. This has been a detailed process, involving careful planning, patience, and some trial and error.In this blog, we’ll dive into the journey of setting up a water distribution system across our pastures. We’ll share the challenges and triumphs of installing 1" poly lines, using Plason quick-connect fittings, managing water pressure, and why we chose not to trench lines right away. These decisions are shaping how we manage water on our farm for the long term. The Importance of Water Access for Livestock Water is essential to keeping our animals healthy and ensuring that they thrive on pasture. As a regenerative farm, rotational grazing is key to our strategy, so we needed to make sure our water system could move with our livestock as they graze in different areas. This flexibility would ensure the animals have access to fresh water no matter where they are on the land. The Planning Phase: 1" Poly Line and Quick Connect Systems Our first major decision was choosing the materials and layout for the water system. After extensive research, we decided on a 1" polyethylene (poly) line as the backbone for the system. This type of piping is flexible, durable, and easy to install, making it ideal for our needs. It also provides a large enough diameter to ensure adequate water flow to multiple areas of the farm.To create a modular, adaptable system, we chose Plason quick-connect fittings. These fittings allow us to easily connect and disconnect water lines as we rotate our animals to different sections of the pasture. The ability to reconfigure the system quickly means that we can always provide water exactly where it’s needed without having to commit to a rigid, permanent layout early on. Managing Water Pressure: Well Pump, Regulators, and House Considerations The next challenge was ensuring that the well could provide sufficient water pressure to support the system across the entire farm. We raised the well pump pressure to meet the demands of the pastures. However, with this increase came the need for careful management of the water pressure at the house.To avoid any issues with high pressure damaging household fixtures, we installed a pressure regulator to keep the house water pressure below 60 psi. This balancing act between ensuring adequate pasture water pressure and protecting the home’s plumbing was a key step in designing a system that could serve both areas effectively. Using Philmac Fittings: Versatility and Durability In addition to the Plason quick-connects, we also utilized Philmac fittings for the permanent sections of the system. Philmac products are known for their reliability and ease of use, which is crucial when working in varied outdoor conditions. These fittings ensured a tight, secure connection wherever we needed it, adding durability to our overall water network. Taking Our Time: Not Trenching Right Away One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned in farming is that it pays to be patient. While it was tempting to start trenching the water lines as soon as possible, we held back, wanting to be confident in the layout first. Installing a water system across a large area like ours involves a lot of variables—where the animals will move, how the land will evolve, and how the system itself will perform.By laying the poly lines above ground first, we could make adjustments to the system as we used it, learning what worked best and where improvements were needed. This method allowed us to test different setups before committing to trenching the lines into the ground. It also helped us avoid the costly and labor-intensive process of retrenching if adjustments were necessary. Confidence in the Layout: Trenching the Water Lines Once we felt confident in the layout, we moved forward with trenching the lines across the pastures. By this point, we had tested the system thoroughly and made small tweaks that would have been much harder to implement had we trenched too early.Trenching the lines ensured that the water pipes were now safely below ground, protecting them from damage from livestock or weather. The final result is a clean, efficient water system that runs across the entire farm, with water available at every section where our animals will graze. Looking Ahead With the water system in place, we are one step closer to achieving our vision for Epic Pastures. By taking the time to plan carefully, using high-quality materials like Plason quick-connects, Philmac fittings, and durable poly lines, and being patient with trenching, we’ve built a system that is flexible, reliable, and able to grow with our farm.Water is life on a regenerative farm, and we’re proud of the work we’ve done to ensure that our livestock will always have the water they need to thrive. As we continue to expand, we know this system will be an essential foundation for everything we do, from raising healthy animals to restoring our land.Thank you for following our journey, and stay tuned as we continue to share more updates from the farm!

Embarking on an Epic Journey Toward Regenerative Farming at Epic Pastures

Welcome to Epic Pastures, where our passion for humane and regenerative agriculture drives everything we do. Nestled in the rolling countryside, our farm is more than just a place—it's a commitment to a journey toward sustainable and ethical farming practices. While we may not have reached epic success yet, we are dedicated to the epic journey of creating a better future for our land, our animals, and our community. Our Commitment to Humane and Regenerative Poultry Practices At the heart of Epic Pastures is our dedication to raising chickens and ducks on open pastures. We believe that animals deserve to live in environments that mimic their natural habitats. Our poultry roam freely across lush fields, foraging for insects and enjoying the sunshine. This not only ensures a high quality of life for the birds but also results in eggs and meat that are healthier and more flavorful.Our regenerative practices focus on improving soil health through rotational grazing. By moving our flocks regularly, we allow pastures to recover and regenerate, enhancing biodiversity and sequestering carbon in the soil. This holistic approach benefits the environment while producing nutritious food for our community. Welcoming Turkeys for the Holiday Season As we approach the holiday season, we're excited to include turkeys in our regenerative practices. Raised with the same care and freedom as our chickens and ducks, our turkeys spend their days exploring the pasture. They contribute to soil health and help control pests naturally. We look forward to providing families with turkeys that not only taste great but are also raised responsibly. Looking to the Future: Sheep and Pigs Our journey doesn't stop with poultry. In our commitment to continuous improvement, we're planning to introduce sheep and pigs to Epic Pastures in the near future. Sheep will help us manage pasture growth and add diversity to our grazing practices, while pigs will contribute to soil turnover and fertility. Integrating these animals into our farm ecosystem is a step forward in our mission to enhance regenerative agriculture practices. The Meaning Behind "Epic Pastures" You might wonder why we chose the name "Epic Pastures." It's not because we've already achieved epic success; rather, it's about the epic journey we're undertaking to get there. Every day presents new challenges and learning opportunities as we strive to improve our farming methods and make a positive impact. "Epic" signifies our ambitious goals and the grand adventure we're on to reach them. Join Us on Our Epic Journey We invite you to join us on this epic journey. Whether you're a customer, a fellow farmer, or someone interested in sustainable living, we believe that collaboration and community are key to making a difference. Together, we can create a future where farming is both humane and regenerative, benefiting people and the planet alike.Thank you for supporting Epic Pastures. Here's to the journey ahead!