In this episode, Cal sits down with Daniel and Mandie Stallings of Perch & Pasture in Waverly Hall, Georgia. This husband-and-wife team share their powerful story of transitioning from military life to full-time regenerative farming. Sparked by personal health challenges and a passion for nutrient-dense food, they’ve built a diversified farm enterprise that includes raw dairy, beef, pork, poultry, and small ruminants. The Stallings discuss their commercial homestead model, raw milk production, rotational grazing systems, and how they've made their farm accessible and resilient—even during medical setbacks.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• The Stallings’ health-driven journey into farming
• Managing a multi-species farm with dairy cows, goats, pigs, and poultry
• Their transition from military to farming and its mental/emotional impact
• Raw milk licensing in Georgia and working with the Raw Milk Institute
• Why they left Nigerian Dwarf goats behind for Nubians
• Developing resilient systems for a small family farm
• The role of education, transparency, and community in their operation
• Their work with veterans and the SkillBridge program

Whether you're a beginning farmer, a homesteader, or a veteran looking for your next chapter, this episode is full of practical insight and inspiration. Daniel and Mandie show how purpose, adaptability, and thoughtful planning can turn land into a lifeline—and a legacy.

Resources & Mentions:

• Perch & Pasture
• Reverence Farms
• Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI)
• SkillBridge Program for Veterans
• Justin Rhodes & Joel Salatin (mentioned as learning influences)

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

Visit our Sponsors:
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In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, we hear from Marque Renshaw of Peace in the Valley Farms in West Plains, Missouri. Marque shares her journey into rotational grazing and the lessons she and her husband Ryan have learned transitioning their operation to focus on sheep. From challenging beginnings—managing animals post-house fire and learning by doing with sale barn ewes—to building a resilient and thoughtful grazing system, Marque's story is both raw and inspiring. Her passion for helping others shines through, especially in her efforts to foster a positive online community and mentor other graziers.

Topics Covered

• Transitioning from horses and cattle to a sheep-focused operation
• Mistakes and hard lessons from buying sale barn sheep
• Learning what true rotational grazing is (and what it isn’t)
• How a house fire catalyzed a new farming chapter
• The importance of fencing and learning to love hotwire
• Finding and building a relationship with a sheep-savvy vet
• Daily grazing rotations and pasture management
• Building supportive and judgment-free communities for graziers
• Educating oneself through podcasts, grazing schools, and mentorship
• The role of women and generational legacy in agriculture

Why You Should Listen
If you're managing sheep or considering them for your operation, Marque's journey is full of relatable struggles, practical insights, and hard-earned wisdom. Her transparency about missteps and breakthroughs offers a refreshing and motivating perspective—especially if you're navigating your first years in regenerative grazing.

Resources Mentioned

• Peace in the Valley Farms
• Grazing Grass Community (Facebook)
• Grazing Sheep podcast (with Tom and Cam)
• Vet Caitlyn from Gainesville, Missouri

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond

Grazing Grass Links
New Listener Resource Guide

Provide feedback for the podcast
Website
Insiders
Resources
Community (on Facebook)
Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

Chapters

Tom Otton joins us from the far south coast of Australia to share his journey from growing up on a beef farm to operating a grazing-based dairy with his family. Tom discusses the evolution of his practices, including a heavy focus on multi-species pastures, no-till methods, and regenerative grazing—long before he even knew the word “regenerative.” He shares thoughtful insights on cow genetics, virtual fencing, and the challenges of balancing tradition with innovation, especially in the context of Australia’s extreme weather and regulatory environment.

• Transition from beef farming to dairy during Australia’s millennium drought
• Grazing-based dairy practices with multi-species pastures
• Implementing high-density rotation with 2–4 shifts per day
• Adoption and legality of virtual fencing in Australia
• Using sexed semen and beef crosses for herd improvement and profitability
• Winter planting of cereal and forage blends; native summer grass systems
• Infrastructure layout with laneways, river watering, and no indoor housing
• Honest insights on power costs, robotic milkers, and future tech
• Personal reflections on footwear, decision-making, and doing what works for you

Tom’s down-to-earth approach to grazing-based dairying in a region with both drought and flood extremes offers valuable perspective for anyone in livestock. Whether you're intrigued by virtual fencing, cow genetics, or just love hearing how others adapt regenerative principles across the globe, Tom delivers a mix of practical know-how and big-picture thinking.

Resources Mentioned

• Call of the Reed Warbler by Charles Massy
• Dirt to Soil by Gabe Brown
• Tango Holsteins on Facebook
• Tango Holsteins on Instagram

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond

Grazing Grass Links
New Listener Resource Guide

Provide feedback for the podcast
Website
Insiders
Resources
Community (on Facebook)
Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

Chapters