When Ryan Hodge stepped outside for the farm tour, the animals came to him. One by one they wandered over for a little attention, and Ryan greeted each of them by name.
Community Farm Alliance’s Sandra Ballew Barnes saw it on one of the hottest days in September, when Ryan and his family welcomed her into their home. Before the tour, they all sat together in the family living room and talked about how the farm got started. Ryan’s partner was quick to say she’s the helper and Ryan is the farmer. By the end of the visit, it was clear Ryan is something more: a true animal whisperer.
We asked Ryan how Community Farm Alliance can best support farmers like him. His answer was practical: show people different ways to farm, connect them with experienced farmers who can walk them through each process, offer hands on help, and bring farmers together through cohorts and events on the farm. In other words, the same kind of community that helped his family get started. Reach out to us at info@cfaky.org to learn more about resources and connections for you and your farm.
It all started with their daughter, who wanted ducks. So the family brought a few home. A community of farmers helped them get going, and from those first ducks the farm kept growing: chickens, including 1,000 meat birds and 500 laying hens, then lambs, and most recently hogs. Ryan worked full time as a carpenter to cover the costs of getting the farm off the ground, and he has built every improvement and upgrade on the place himself. Spend an afternoon with him and you get the sense he can do anything he sets his mind to.
For Ryan, success as a farmer comes down to proper care. He doesn’t believe in shortcuts, and he considers vaccinations essential. Every animal has different needs, and the family learned them through a lot of trial and error. They care for each animal well right up until it is sold or processed, because Ryan believes it matters to know where your food comes from. His favorite part of the work is seeing new life born on the farm.
That care was put to the test last year when the farm flooded. Ryan made sure every single animal made it to higher ground, and his partner told us he carried many of them there himself.
Loss is part of raising animals, and Sandra asked whether it’s hard on him. He said yes. “But I pray daily, and that is how I get through farming daily.” Ryan truly farms by faith.
That faith shows up in how he treats his neighbors, too. Ryan helps whenever someone needs a hand and shares whatever he has. Sandra didn’t leave empty handed either. She drove home with a bag full of Hodge Family Farm goodies.
That’s the work CFA wants to keep growing. If you farm in Kentucky and want other farmers in your corner, reach out to Community Farm Alliance and find out how to get involved.