Lance Klessig's Letter to SHA
This Klessig family portrait was taken earlier this year in the farm’s “Field of Gold,” a seven-acre plot which features a colorful, 27-species cover crop mix that blossoms into agro-tourist, photography, and grazing opportunities.
Dear Gabe and SHA,
I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you. Your encouragement and sharing have been very helpful over the past several years. I appreciate the many things you each have taught me but also for teaching me how to think differently—and to dare look at things through a new lens.
And, wow, have things have changed since when we visited you and your ranch with Luke, Mike and crew. Three Soil Health Academy schools later and here we are. Owning our farm and having more freedom, joy and balance than ever before. It’s hard for me to believe how far we’ve come as I look back in the mirror.
Our three on-farm Airbnb rentals are doing quite well—well enough, in fact, that I was able to quit my day job with the local soil and water conservation district.
Our agro-tourism traffic has been so robust that we are having to block out Sunday evenings just to have the farm to ourselves and enjoy our newly implemented sabbath.
Here are some additional highlights from our regenerative journey in 2021:
- We hosted an open farm in which 200 visitors attended. We took Allen’s advice, locating the best caterer we could and put our pork in their mouth to let them taste the difference.
- We’ve rented an adjoining farm for next year and it’s no till drilled already w rye, hairy vetch and Camelina for custom grazing.
- Our weekly pasture-raised egg subscription is taking off. We’re currently at 250 hens with plans to expand.
- Our custom grazing of heifers went well. We learned a lot and are working on next year’s plans for the rented adjacent land. We’ll likely go with a “crazy summer mix” like I did this spring.
- We have 23 female goats that are ready to custom graze our neighbors’ fence lines and woods next year. The females will be bred in December.
- We are adding our newest enterprise, Fields and Flowers at Heart and Soil Ridge – a flower farm CSA and U-pick area intended to offer our guests and customers the soul-regenerating experience of interacting with the natural beauty of creation.
- We have seven acres of “Fields of Gold” that are dedicated to learning and photography opportunities as part of our agro-tourism business. The fields are planted with a 27-species, colorful cover mix which is then custom grazed after the tourism concludes for the season.
In short, joining regen farming and combining it with agro-tourism has been quite successful. Our guests can experience top-notch hospitality, walk our pastures, engage with the animals and source their meat, eggs, honey and flowers direct from our farm. Our desire is to help people “experience regeneration” by tasting regeneratively raised products, slowing down to appreciate natural beauty, and making connections with farm life and our family when they visit Heart & Soil Ridge.
On this Thanksgiving week, I especially wanted you to know how much I appreciate you all and I’m grateful that God has woven our paths together.
Best!
Lance and family
The farm features three, on-farm Airbnb rentals. Whether staying overnight or just visiting for the day, all of the farm’s guests experience top-notch hospitality—and can walk in the farm’s pastures, engage with the animals and source their meat, eggs, honey and flowers directly from the farm.
The farm features three, on-farm Airbnb rentals. Whether staying overnight or just visiting for the day, all of the farm’s guests experience top-notch hospitality—and can walk in the farm’s pastures, engage with the animals and source their meat, eggs, honey and flowers directly from the farm.
Through its weekly subscription program, Heart & Soil Ridge provides pasture-raised eggs to local customers throughout the year. The Klessig children are (from left to right) Liam (9), Grayson (4), Elijah (11), and Adah (6) all of whom pitch in regularly to collect the eggs.
Thanks to the soil health-improving principles the Klessigs have put into practice at Heart & Soil Ridge, their future is looking bright. Pictured here standing in a bucket of cover crop seeds that will become next year’s “Fields of Gold,” is 1 year-old, Vera, who is the youngest of the Klessig’s five children.
In addition to providing colorful photographic and agro-tourist opportunities, the Klessig’s “Fields of Gold” provide diverse habitat for life above and below ground. Following the tourism season, the field is grazed by the farm’s cattle and goats.