When Ryan and I first started raising animals, it was a hobby — a fun way to connect with the land, enjoy better food, and live closer to our values. But turning that hobby into a thriving business? That required an education. And, boy was it a steep learning curve.

We’ve always been firm believers in the value of learning, and over the years, we leaned into every opportunity to deepen our knowledge and improve our practices. Last week, we attended the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association’s annual conference. It was an amazing gathering of farmers and experts who shared insights, innovations, and strategies that pushed us all forward.

This wasn’t our first foray into continuing education, though. Early on, we completed the Western Meat School, an invaluable resource for understanding the ins and outs of meat production, marketing, and sales. We also took courses through Oregon State University (OSU) and Washington State University (WSU), both of which were incredible sources of research-based knowledge. Beyond that, we took specialized courses offered by other farms on how to ship our products effectively, ensuring they arrived fresh and safe for our customers. We also toured other facilities to learn how to design and build our own poultry processing plant—a hands-on experience that proved invaluable.

But perhaps one of the most unique and impactful investments we made was paying our veterinarian for office time outside of emergencies. We wanted more than just reactive care; we wanted a proactive plan for our livestock. Sitting down with our vet and asking all the questions — from health protocols to long-term herd management strategies — was a game-changer for us. It gave us the confidence to care for our animals with intention and foresight, minimizing issues before they started.

Education in our household didn’t stop at formal classes and conferences. I always had a constant stack of books on my desk, delving into everything from the science behind livestock care to the intricacies of pasture management. If there had been a degree for “lifelong learning,” I’d have earned it ten times over—I could have happily stayed a college student forever. Meanwhile, Ryan was laser-focused on the cattle industry, keeping his pulse on current trends, markets, and auctions. His dedication to understanding the ever-changing dynamics of this field was instrumental in shaping our approach to raising and marketing our beef.

These educational experiences were instrumental in helping us transition from hobbyists to full-fledged ranchers. They taught us how to improve the health and welfare of our animals, manage our pastures sustainably, and create products our customers could trust and love. They also connected us with a network of like-minded producers who generously shared their knowledge and experiences.

Education wasn’t just something we did once and checked off the list; it was a lifelong journey. As farmers, the world was our classroom. Every conference we attended, every class we took, every book we read, and every expert we consulted brought us one step closer to our goal of running a sustainable, ethical, and successful ranch.

So, if you’ve ever wondered what it took to grow a business like ours, the answer was simple: never stop learning. Whether you were just starting out or had years of experience under your belt, there was always more to discover. And trust me, the investment in education paid off—not just in better practices and higher profits but in the satisfaction of knowing we were doing the best we could for our animals, our land, and our customers.

I’m grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to learn and grow, and I’m excited to keep building on this foundation. The best part? Sharing that journey with you all, one step at a time.