#101: From Conventional to Regenerative: One Family's Journey to Building a Sustainable Farm
“ So yeah the balance of the family and the business and the farming and all that, just trying to get more systematic and efficient so that we can balance it all.”
Growing up on a farm shapes who you become. For Abby Bowser, it planted the seeds for a future she couldn't have predicted. Today, she and her husband Brooks run Bowser Family Farms, a regenerative cattle operation in Southern Michigan, where they've found their own path in agriculture.
Their story isn't a straight line. It started ten years ago with conventional corn and soybeans, but has transformed into something entirely different. Now they raise cattle and pigs on pasture, sell meat both retail and wholesale, and Abby runs a thriving flower farm and event florist business alongside it all.
Starting Young and Learning Hard Lessons
At just 20 years old, Abby and Brooks jumped into farming together. With Brooks being a first-generation farmer working his grandfather's land, they started the way they thought they were supposed to – growing corn and soybeans on about 400-500 acres.
"We bought a combine. We were all excited. We were young," Abby recalls. "Then slowly, real life started to seep in where we realized that 400 acres of corn and soybeans wasn't going to make us any money."
By 25, they were facing tough decisions about their future. The input costs were overwhelming, and the numbers weren't adding up. But giving up wasn't an option.
"We had this moment where we were both crying, thinking we had to give up," Abby shares. "But the next morning we said 'No - no 25-year-old is given this opportunity to figure out how to make this work.'"
Finding a New Path
That determination led them to explore alternatives. They started with intercropping and cover crops - something almost unheard of in their area at the time. Brooks built his own crimper to manage the rye cover crop, and they began reducing chemical inputs.
The transition wasn't easy. While Brooks dove into YouTube videos and podcasts about regenerative farming, Abby was working for a chemical company, recommending the very products they were trying to move away from.
But gradually, their vision shifted. They realized their future wasn't in row crops - it was in cattle. They transformed their operation to focus on soil health and grazing management. Today, they've fenced in 150 acres where they rotationally graze their cattle daily.
Building a Life Around the Farm
Life looks different now. Brooks still works off the farm at his family's factory, but with enough flexibility to handle farm emergencies. Abby manages their retail meat business, which they launched in March, along with her flower farm.
Their days revolve around moving cattle, tending to flowers, and raising their two young children. It's busy, but it's the kind of busy that feels right.
"The balance of family and business and farming - we're trying to get more systematic and efficient so we can balance it all," Abby explains.
Finding Joy in the Journey
When asked about their goals, Abby shares wisdom that resonates: "Life is long. In a world where we're looking for short, fast comfort, I want to remember that those goals you have are going to take a long time. Just like a perennial shrub that you plant - it's not going to be perfect year one or year two. Year three, it's finally going to show you the benefits of what you've done."
The Bowsers aren't trying to conquer the world. They're focused on building something sustainable for their family and their community. They're working toward the day when Brooks can farm full-time, continuing to perfect their grazing operation while serving their local customers.
"We're 31, we're 11 years into this, and now we finally know what we want," Abby reflects. "Now we just need to put our heads down, get systematic, and keep going.”
More from Farming on Purpose
Farming on Purpose hits 100 episodes! To celebrate, we're giving away exclusive merch and two fantastic children's books: "A Day on the Farm with Mama" by Andrea LeFevre and "Charlie Learns to be a Cowboy" by Danika Kester.
Enter by December 31st:
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts OR
Share any of our posts to your Instagram story
Winner will be announced January 1st!
Thank you for joining us as we explore success stories in agriculture and build stronger farm families, stronger food systems, and stronger rural legacies. Here's to the next 100 episodes!
If you are interested in signing up for the Marketing Routine class, do so here!
If you would like to support the podcast or be a part of the conversation join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.
Check out our favorite software tool for online sales!
Thrivecart is a software tool you can use to design online checkouts with every option you can dream up. You can sell physical and digital products, connect to loads of other softwares you use for your website, accepting payments, email marketing, and more. This is the most powerful tool I use and the lowest cost one. I recommend it for anyone who accepts online payments who wants to increase their revenue or average order value. Learn more about what Theivecart can do for your business
I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
Other Episodes You May Enjoy:
Episode 62: Your Life's Bingo Card and Flower Farming with Liz Fiedler of Sunny Mary Meadow Farms
Episode 80: Barn Restored into Butcher Shop Supports Growing Business Dreams
Episode 84: From Dairy Farm Dreams to Self-Made Farmer: Derek Penrod's Journey
About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Rate, Review & Follow on Apple Podcasts
