Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
You don't need a lifetime of farming experience to build a successful farm. Dana and Lauren Cavalea share how they went from corporate careers and zero agricultural background to growing a thriving direct-to-consumer meat business on more than 300 acres. Along the way, they discuss the realities of raising livestock, selling beef, expanding a farm business, and why adaptability, strong marketing, and faith have been just as important as hard work. If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to start farming from scratch, this conversation will encourage you to boldly take the first step!
In this episode, we cover:
- How two complete beginners unexpectedly became farmers on 130 acres
- Buying their first cattle, pigs, and chickens with no farming experience
- Learning hard lessons about livestock, butchering, and selling their first beef
- Growing from 130 acres to more than 300 through strategic land purchases
- Building a nationwide direct-to-consumer meat business
- Selling beef shares, meat boxes, and working with other local farmers
- The business skills every profitable farmer needs beyond raising livestock
- Beef shares vs. individual meat boxes: the pros and cons of each model
- What it really takes to ship frozen meat across the country
- Using authentic storytelling and social media to grow a loyal customer base
- Why flexibility, continual learning, and adapting have been key to their success
- Following God's leading, embracing new challenges, and encouraging others to simply get started
Thank you to our sponsors!
NutriMill.com | High-quality small kitchen appliance products that function well, are easy to use, and promote healthy eating Nutrimill.com
NewLightHealth.com | High-quality natural supplements and health products to simplify your wellness and support your family naturally NewlightHealth.com
ShareHealthcare.com | A Christian-based, health-sharing community where members come together to cover medical needs ShareHealthcare.com
ABOUT DANA & LAUREN
Freedom Farms was started by Dana & Lauren Cavalea. The two met in high school and eventually went their separate ways for college and the years that followed.
About a decade later the two reunited and have been on a journey ever since. Lauren spent her career working in news for ABC News, while Coach Dana Cavalea became a World Champion Coach for the New York Yankees. What do you get when a professional sports coach and a news aficionado get together?
You get Freedom Farms. A 270 acre farm in Upstate NY shipping meats nationwide. They are a PRO-AMERICA, PRO-FREEDOM Farm that loves America, and are 100% committed to keeping American Farms Being Farmed by Americans!
Together, along with the farm's mascots, Rocco & Lucci (their English Bulldogs), and Gunner and Bullet, the farm is worked daily and filled with energy— producing the best and healthiest beef in New York.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Head over to Freedom Farms to see their full lineup of high-quality meat selections and more! wearefreedomfarms.com/collections
CONNECT
Dana & Lauren Cavalea
Website: wearefreedomfarms.com
Instagram: instagram.com/freedomfarmsny
Facebook: facebook.com/wearefreedomfarmsny
YouTube: youtube.com/@freedomfarmsny/featured
Homesteaders of America
Website: homesteadersofamerica.com
Instagram: instagram.com/homesteadersofamerica
Facebook: facebook.com/homesteadersofamerica
YouTube: youtube.com/homesteadersofamerica
Pinterest: pinterest.com/homesteadersusa
GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE
View full show notes and transcript on the blog: homesteadersofamerica.com/e61-building-a-profitable-farm-with-zero-experience-dana-lauren-cavalea-of-freedom-farms-ny
Listen to this podcast episode: open.spotify.com/episode/3kcds3K5fqmcWrzqpPmGOc?si=G30g-WDOSx6qtZjQMjJWSQ
You don't need a lifetime of farming experience to build a successful farm. Dana and Lauren Cavalea share how they went from corporate careers and zero agricultural background to growing a thriving direct-to-consumer meat business on more than 300 acres. Along the way, they discuss the realities of raising livestock, selling beef, expanding a farm business, and why adaptability, strong marketing, and faith have been just as important as hard work. If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to start farming from scratch, this conversation will encourage you to boldly take the first step!
In this episode, we cover:
- How two complete beginners unexpectedly became farmers on 130 acres
- Buying their first cattle, pigs, and chickens with no farming experience
- Learning hard lessons about livestock, butchering, and selling their first beef
- Growing from 130 acres to more than 300 through strategic land purchases
- Building a nationwide direct-to-consumer meat business
- Selling beef shares, meat boxes, and working with other local farmers
- The business skills every profitable farmer needs beyond raising livestock
- Beef shares vs. individual meat boxes: the pros and cons of each model
- What it really takes to ship frozen meat across the country
- Using authentic storytelling and social media to grow a loyal customer base
- Why flexibility, continual learning, and adapting have been key to their success
- Following God's leading, embracing new challenges, and encouraging others to simply get started
Thank you to our sponsors!
NutriMill.com | High-quality small kitchen appliance products that function well, are easy to use, and promote healthy eating Nutrimill.com
NewLightHealth.com | High-quality natural supplements and health products to simplify your wellness and support your family naturally NewlightHealth.com
ShareHealthcare.com | A Christian-based, health-sharing community where members come together to cover medical needs ShareHealthcare.com
ABOUT DANA & LAUREN
Freedom Farms was started by Dana & Lauren Cavalea. The two met in high school and eventually went their separate ways for college and the years that followed.
About a decade later the two reunited and have been on a journey ever since. Lauren spent her career working in news for ABC News, while Coach Dana Cavalea became a World Champion Coach for the New York Yankees. What do you get when a professional sports coach and a news aficionado get together?
You get Freedom Farms. A 270 acre farm in Upstate NY shipping meats nationwide. They are a PRO-AMERICA, PRO-FREEDOM Farm that loves America, and are 100% committed to keeping American Farms Being Farmed by Americans!
Together, along with the farm's mascots, Rocco & Lucci (their English Bulldogs), and Gunner and Bullet, the farm is worked daily and filled with energy— producing the best and healthiest beef in New York.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Head over to Freedom Farms to see their full lineup of high-quality meat selections and more! wearefreedomfarms.com/collections
CONNECT
Dana & Lauren Cavalea
Website: wearefreedomfarms.com
Instagram: instagram.com/freedomfarmsny
Facebook: facebook.com/wearefreedomfarmsny
YouTube: youtube.com/@freedomfarmsny/featured
Homesteaders of America
Website: homesteadersofamerica.com
Instagram: instagram.com/homesteadersofamerica
Facebook: facebook.com/homesteadersofamerica
YouTube: youtube.com/homesteadersofamerica
Pinterest: pinterest.com/homesteadersusa
GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE
View full show notes and transcript on the blog: homesteadersofamerica.com/e61-building-a-profitable-farm-with-zero-experience-dana-lauren-cavalea-of-freedom-farms-ny
Listen to this podcast episode: open.spotify.com/episode/3kcds3K5fqmcWrzqpPmGOc?si=G30g-WDOSx6qtZjQMjJWSQ
