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Farmers represent less than 2% of the US population. Women farmers represent 35% of that 2%. That’s quite a small number of women farmers in the US. Shelby Watson-Hampton grew up on a farm in Maryland. She describes the family farm as” a living, breathing entity of its own - the touchstone - the gathering place, the solid center of home for many”. She later helped her family transition the land from a nursery to a vineyard and thriving agritourism business. Shelby’s book, "Grace, Grit & Lipstick", was written for other women in farming, as a way to create the connections that we all need and desire.

Shelby says it like it is. Through her book and our interview, I found Shelby to be extremely authentic and transparent in her messages. She is a smart, practical business woman who provides tremendous guidance for farm businesses looking to expand into agritourism or aspiring farmers looking to make that leap of faith into owning their own farm business. Her primary message was to NOT go it alone. Keep connecting. And to quote Shelby from her book: ” On our best days we find our joy. On our worst days we rage, mourn, and fall to our knees. Then we get up, dust our knees and we get on gettin on.” Enjoy my conversation with Author and Entrepreneur, Shelby Watson-Hampton.

Grace, Grit & Lipstick
The Farmed Life
Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards
Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards Wines

The Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.

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• HeartBeet Farms
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• About Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast Host
• Global Agritourism Network

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My journey back to agriculture and farming began when I started my podcast interviews a few months ago. I am an accounting major turned marketer. I transitioned from a 14-year career in corporate america to owning a small marketing consulting business for over 18 years, all while raising three kids. I owned a vegetable and sunflower farm for a few years in between - the one part of my career and life that grounded and connected me more than anything else.

My youngest is graduating in 2025 and I am looking to make a move back to agriculture. When, where, how, and what I will be doing are all questions that I’m in the process of answering. And this Agri-Tourist podcast is a platform for me to figure it all out. When I am making any type of career or life transition, I reach out and engage with people in and around the industry I am interested in. I engage in real conversation and learn as much as I can. So, instead of me having these compelling conversations behind the scenes, I am putting these conversations out there for others to learn from, to be inspired by, or to just learn about a cool destination to travel to and experience.

In this episode, my long time friend and coworker, Marisa Pizza, is interviewing me about my life and career so we can assess where my thoughts and feelings are at the beginning of this journey. It will be interesting to follow up in a few months to see how those thoughts and feelings have evolved. Join Marisa and I for a fun, open, and honest conversation about life, passion, leadership, community, health, food, and our environment.

HeartBeet Farms

The Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.

• Agri-Tourist.com
• HeartBeet Farms
• Instagram
• About Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast Host
• Global Agritourism Network

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Emma & John Hoel own Peacefield Farm Sanctuary in Gainesville, Florida, just going on 5 years now. Before selling their house and moving from city life in Minneapolis, they took the time to volunteer at a local farm sanctuary to ensure that this is something they really wanted to commit to, as owning a farm sanctuary or any type of animal rescue is an every day, all hours of the day commitment. The answer was a definitive YES for both of them and they set out to find the perfect property in a warmer climate! They discovered a beautiful 30-acre property close to the University of Florida with a unique setting for farm animals and tourists alike including natural blue hole springs.

There is a more significant underlying mission that these beautiful farm animals are just a part of. That mission is to create awareness around where our food is coming from, how it is being produced, and encouraging people to enjoy a more plant-based lifestyle. This is what will ultimately save the lives of these beautiful animals. Farm sanctuaries represent a small percentage of the lives saved. Emma & John want people to understand that every one of us can save a farm animal’s life without having to own a farm sanctuary. We just have to modify how and what we consume each and every day. That’s all it takes.

Peacefield Farm hosts visitors at their Airbnb and also hosts sanctuary tours, plant-based cooking classes, and yoga classes.. Join me now to hear more about Emma & John’s compelling and truly inspirational story….

Peacefield Farm Sanctuary
Airbnb at Peacefield
Events at Peacefield
Volunteer at Peacefield

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.

• Agri-Tourist.com
• HeartBeet Farms
• Instagram
• About Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast Host
• Global Agritourism Network

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Taste the Moka Origins lemon ginger chocolate bar and you'll experience real chocolate for the first time. On this episode of The Agri-Tourist, meet social entrepreneur Jeff Abella, Co-Founder and CEO of Moka Origins. Learn how his vision for the company was born in Cameroon, Africa and how it has evolved into the growing, socially responsible company it is today.

Moka Origins handcrafts chocolate from cacao beans to the finished chocolate bar. They also carefully roast their coffee to bring out delicious flavors from around the world. But this company, out of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, is much more than a craft chocolate and coffee company. The Moka Origins team is a global family working to transform lives by promoting innovative farming techniques while giving their farmers opportunities to create a sustainable livelihood. Their vision is for coffee and chocolate to empower communities around the world to survive and thrive. In addition to visiting their chocolate factory in Pennsylvania, you can also learn about chocolate and coffee through their incredible immersive agritourism adventures to Costa Rica, Uganda, and Mexico. On these trips you will connect with Moka’s global cacao and coffee sourcing partners, experience fair trade in action, and discover indigenous cultures, cuisines and epic landscapes, all while learning and volunteering.

Moka Origins
Moka Origin Adventures
About Jeff Abella , CEO & Co-Founder Moka Origins
Visit the Chocolate Factory in Honesdale, PA

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.

• Agri-Tourist.com
• HeartBeet Farms
• Instagram
• About Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast Host
• Global Agritourism Network