179. Commercial Homesteading with Heart with Daniel and Mandie Stallings

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)

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey