Farmers Helping Farmers
We are passionate about helping farmers succeed at work and life.
Who are we? We are farmers, parents, doers, dreamers, round pegs in square holes. We believe that sustainable agricultural systems are essential for this world to get back on the right track.
We have spent years in the trenches, whether it has been planting spinach, or milking cows, or catering a wedding full of farm-fresh goodness. We have struggled with payroll, hired and fired employees, and sat up late at night, scrawling figures on endless sheets of paper.
And that’s why we want to help. As we have farmed, we have seen farms come and go, picked up tips, tricks, and techniques from some of the best in the industry, and implemented those in highly successful businesses. And we want to share that with you.
Michael Kilpatrick
Co-founder, Horticulture, Farm Planning and Design
Growing Farmers is led by Michael Kilpatrick, a farmer, educator, and inventor who lives in Ohio. He is the host of the top rated Thriving Farmer Podcast and Thriving Farmer Summit series which has been viewed by over 50,000 farmers. He has managed large farms and businesses, consulted for industry experts around the world, and spoken at dozens of conferences. Michael believes that anyone can farm by following the simple business and management skills that he teaches in the Small Farm University, our community for thriving farmers.
Benjamin Beichler
Co-founder, Dairy and Beef, Forage Production
Ben’s passion for farming began at an early age riding with his grandfather on a John Deere B tractor. Desiring to become a full-time farmer, Ben entered the nationally-renowned Polyface Farm apprenticeship program in 2007. Completing the program in 2008, he became a manager and worked for Polyface and other local, like-minded farmers before starting his own farming business, Creambrook Farm, LLC, in 2011. Since then, he has helped restructure production systems and manage day-to-day operations at several large grass-fed dairy operations.
Grady Phelan
Consultant, Poultry & Processing
Grady grew up on a family ranch in Southwest Oklahoma where his father continues to operates a cattle herd and hair sheep flock. He apprenticed at Polyface in 2009 and went on to run a satellite farm operation for them for a few years. Grady has run his own farm in Oklahoma, and now manages the poultry operation for Cobb Creek Farm in Hillsboro, TX.
Kevin London & Kim Feeney London
Consultant, Farm to table, Value adding, Nutrition
Kevin London and Kim Feeney London were founder and owner of the Farmhouse Restaurant at Top of the World in Lake George, NY. The business included a farm, a seasonal, vegetable-inspired restaurant and inn. The farm grew a diverse array of vegetables, fruits and herbs for the restaurant, CSA and farmers’ markets as well as for a line of prepared soups, salads and sauces for sale. The restaurant hosted dozens of weddings, cooking classes, farm dinners and special events annually. The restaurant was voted Best in the Adirondacks, featured in regional publications and on a Food Network Special on Farm to Table Dining.
Buddy and Jill Powers
Consultant, On-farm Events, Marketing
Buddy and Jill own Big Spring Farm, a pastured livestock operation and event venue. From 2010 to 2013 they were Polyface Farm’s largest pastured poultry producer. Three years ago the Powers launched a wedding and special event venue at their historic home farm in Lexington, Virginia. That business has tripled each year since it’s inception. With real world experience in sustainable agriculture, property development, hosting events, and marketing, Buddy has a unique understanding of what it takes to run a working farm, that is also a public destination!
Growing Farmers
In Your Corner
The Growing Farmers team is here to help you succeed. Long hours and meager pay just don’t cut it, but the truth is that most farmers get very little return on all their hard work. They struggle — probably longer than they should — and eventually, they give up because they just can’t do it anymoreIn fact, 4 out of 5 farms fail in the first two years, and on average, only 1 in 20 farms survive beyond five years. For many farmers, even getting there sounds impossible. We’re here to tell you that it’s not. You don’t have to work 90 hours a week and barely make a penny. We’ve been there, done that, and discovered there’s a better way. Now, we help farmers just like you go from struggling to thriving.
Who We Work With
We are privileged to collaborate and partner with several excellent businesses in the sustainable farming community. We have worked with these companies and feel confident in their expertise and advice.