My Digital Farmer Podcast - Episode 312 Summary

Title: How a Homesteader Turned Her Side Hustle into a Growing Farm Business
Host: Corinna Bench
Guest: Beth Declerk
Release Date: May 14, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 312 of the My Digital Farmer Podcast, host Corinna Bench welcomes Beth Declerk, a former city dweller turned homesteader, who has successfully transformed her side hustle into a thriving small farm business. This episode delves into Beth's journey from urban life to sustainable farming, highlighting the organic growth of her business and the marketing strategies that fueled her success.

Beth's Homesteading Journey

From Urban Life to Rural Homesteading

Beth Declerk shares her transition from living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to establishing a homestead in mid-Michigan. Motivated initially by the desire to provide healthier food for her growing family, Beth and her husband Tommy gradually shifted towards financial self-sufficiency through farming.

"[...] during our second pregnancy, I decided I wanted to give birth naturally. We took a childbirth class called the Bradley Method, which emphasized nutrition. This opened our eyes to whole foods and sourcing locally, setting us on the path to homesteading." (08:11)

Growing a Large Family on the Homestead

Beth and Tommy have eight children, ranging from three months to almost fifteen years old. Managing such a large family while expanding their homestead required a steady, incremental approach.

"We are like the slow and steady homesteaders because it was not like an overnight transition. We took it little by little to accommodate our limited time and energy as parents." (11:00)

Building a Sustainable Farm Business

Identifying the Need for Financial Independence

As their homestead grew, Beth realized that relying solely on her husband's income was unsustainable. To mitigate financial risks, she sought to generate independent revenue streams from their farming activities.

"I didn't want a scenario where something happened, and we had to sell our milk cows or equipment. I wanted everything to pay for itself to protect our farm from personal financial situations." (19:49)

Launching the Chicken Sales Business

Beth began by selling meat chickens as their first significant income stream. Starting with small batches, she gradually scaled up based on demand.

"We started with raising 50 extra chickens to cover our 50 plus some garden expenses. Last year, we planned to raise 400 but quickly added another 100 due to high demand." (21:49)

Marketing Strategies and Customer Acquisition

Leveraging Social Media for Growth

Beth primarily utilized Facebook to reach local customers. By consistently sharing updates about her homestead—both successes and challenges—she built trust and nurtured her audience organically.

"About 80% of our customers came through social media nurturing. Sharing our daily activities helped people buy into what we were doing." (24:07)

Implementing an Email Marketing Campaign

Transitioning from manual deposit tracking to a more streamlined email-based system, Beth successfully executed an early bird pre-launch campaign that significantly boosted her sales.

"I sent out four emails the week before the launch, detailing the offer, FAQs, and reminders. On the first day, we sold around 150 birds within hours." (26:04)

Creating Urgency and Scarcity

Beth employed strategies like limited-time offers and bonuses to encourage quick purchases, further enhancing the effectiveness of her campaigns.

"We offered a tote bag and a $20 coupon for on-farm events, emphasizing the limited availability to create urgency." (34:11)

Customer Fulfillment and Retention

Streamlined Pickup Process

Beth established a clear and organized system for fulfilling orders, ensuring a smooth experience for her customers. This included advance notifications, sorting orders efficiently, and assisting customers during pickups.

"We send reminder emails 10 days before butchering, provide clear instructions, and help customers load their chickens to ensure a hassle-free pickup." (38:36)

Identifying Areas for Improvement

While Beth has a robust fulfillment process, she recognizes the need for ongoing customer engagement post-purchase to enhance retention and satisfaction.

"I haven't yet implemented post-purchase follow-ups, which is an area I plan to develop to better nurture our customer relationships." (42:32)

Expanding Revenue Streams

Diversifying Offerings

Beyond chicken sales, Beth has developed multiple income streams based on customer demand and minimal upfront investment:

1. Chicken Butchering Services: Offering seasonal butchering services for those who prefer not to handle it themselves.
2. On-Farm Events and Workshops: Hosting classes on meat chicken raising, gardening, and canning.
3. Online Membership ("Intentional Homesteading"): Providing digital content focused on homestead productivity and profitability.

"Our membership generates the highest revenue, offering insights into building a profitable homestead while filling year-round income gaps." (46:34)

Online Membership Success

Beth's digital membership has evolved organically, starting with downloadable PDFs and growing into a comprehensive platform that supports consistent income with minimal ongoing effort.

"Our membership, Intentional Homesteading, began with homestead handouts and has grown into a $20/month offering focused on productivity and profitability." (66:24)

Lessons Learned and Future Goals

Consistency is Key

Beth emphasizes the importance of regular engagement and consistency in marketing efforts. Maintaining a steady presence builds trust and fosters a loyal customer base.

"Being consistent in showing up and sharing our journey builds the trust factor, which is crucial for marketing success." (60:49)

Adaptability and Intentional Growth

Balancing business growth with family needs is a central theme in Beth's approach. She advocates for mindful scaling, ensuring that business expansion supports rather than overwhelms family life.

"We aim to sustain our lives comfortably by being intentional with each season, allowing flexibility to adapt to our family's changing needs." (54:20)

Customer-Driven Development

Following customer feedback and demand has been instrumental in shaping Beth's business offerings. She advises other farmers to lean into what customers are willing to pay for, minimizing financial risks.

"If people are giving you money upfront, like with chicken deposits, it gives you the confidence to invest your time effectively without significant financial risk." (58:43)

Conclusion

Beth Declerk's story is a testament to the power of organic growth, customer-centric strategies, and consistent marketing efforts in building a successful farm business. Her journey from urban life to a sustainable homestead provides valuable insights for farmers aiming to diversify their income streams and achieve financial independence. Aspiring homesteaders and small farm owners can draw inspiration from Beth's balanced approach, emphasizing intentional growth and adaptability to create a thriving agricultural enterprise.

For more information about Beth Declerk and her homestead business, visit IntentionalHomesteading.com or follow her on Instagram @bethdeclerk.

Notable Quotes:

• "We are like the slow and steady homesteaders because it was not like an overnight transition." (11:00)
• "I was like, wow, it worked. It works. It actually works." (32:27)
• "If people are giving you money upfront, like with chicken deposits, it gives you the confidence to invest your time effectively without significant financial risk." (58:43)
• "Consistency in showing up and sharing our journey builds the trust factor, which is crucial for marketing success." (60:49)

This summary captures the essence of Episode 312, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of Beth Declerk's journey, strategies, and insights into building a successful homestead-based business.