Legacy of the Land: Mesquite, Ancient Grains, and the Spirit of Regeneration
In this episode of the Soil Sisters podcast, we dig in with Dax Hansen, current 4th generation steward of the Oatman Flats Ranch and founder of Oatman Farms™, a fearless food company with a mission to revitalize and sustain family farms in hot and dry desert environments.
Dax Hansen with TX Soil Sisters after our podcast chat at The Prairie Lea Carriage House. Thank you to soil sister, Deborah Nease, for facilitating our gathering. 🌱💚
Dax shares his childhood experiences and deep connection to the land, imparting how historical and cultural ties influenced his journey into regenerative agriculture.
Our chat delves into practical aspects of regenerative farming - the significance of native species, the challenges and methods of transitioning from traditional to regenerative practices, and the vital role of partnerships and community in advancing the regenerative movement.
Dax's insights provide a thought-provoking look into the complexities of regenerative agriculture, its impact on soil and human health, and its potential to rebuild our broken food system.
Dax Hansen, the owner/steward of Oatman Flats Ranch and founder of Oatman Farms food company. Dax is a world-renowned FinTech lawyer, and a visionary farmer who is leveraging his blockchain expertise to bring transparency to the food supply chain. Dax’s focus in on creating sustainable and profitable business family-farm models that other farmers can replicate.
Oatman Flats Ranch is the first Regenerative Organic Certified family owned grain farm in the Southwest.
Photo by Kiss the Ground
Meet Our Guest - Dax Hansen
J. Dax Hansen is a technology transactions and regulatory attorney who has pioneered blockchain, digital currency, payments, and fintech law. Dax has advised clients on many industry “firsts,” including the first bitcoin exchanges and tokenized assets, and has founded the firm’s leading Fintech industry group. He is internationally recognized as a pioneer of the fintech industry and a leading figure in the blockchain and cryptocurrencies field.
Because of his career as an attorney, Dax had the financial ability to purchase and revive his family’s ranch, Oatman Flats Ranch. He is in year seven of that regenerative journey with his family.
Oatman Farms Core Values
Use Regenerative and Organic Farming Principles
Our family farm, Oatman Flats Ranch, is the first Regenerative Organic Certified® farm in the American Southwest.Regenerative Organic Certified® agriculture means we go beyond “sustainable” and “organic.” We farm holistically with a mindset of regenerating natural resources rather than extracting them.
Grow Heirloom Water-Conserving Crops
We grow heirloom non-GMO crops that save millions of gallons of water. Each package of our flour and bread mixes conserves approximately 700 gallons of water in the Gila River aquifer.
Focus on Health and Wellness, Nutrition and Flavor
We work with Mother Nature to make food products that prioritize health and wellness, nutrition and flavor.
Support Family Farming and Community
We are dedicated to building a resilient, regenerative food system in our local community. We believe in the power and resilience of a local food system, where a community grows, processes, distributes and eats its own food. Oatman Farms is collaborating with others in our community to build a food system that champions family farmers and ranchers, local processors, chefs and consumers.
Provide Radical Transparency
We believe there should be integrity, honesty and accountability within the food system, so we proudly include QR codes on our packaged goods that provide total transparency to our customers.
A Call to Action for Anyone That Eats Food
So how can little ol’ you make a big ol’ difference in reshaping our current food system?
Care about your health and vitality by investing in real food that nourishes your body and supports farm and ranch family businesses who are growing food responsibly. Companies like Oatman Farms.
TX Soil Sisters buys our eggs from Happy Chick Farms, our milk from Stryk Jersey Farm (which we pick up from Happy Chick), and meat from local markets like Bon Ton in Uhland, Hometown Meat Market in Luling, and Good Things Grocery in Lockhart. And local ranching operations like Kemp Angus Farm in Staples, TX.
CONNECT with folks in your community living a regenerative life.
CONSUME whole foods, not food-like substances.
SUPPORT your local farmers directly at their farm stand or though local market partners.
SHOP regenerative direct-to-consumer brands.
💚 Support Partners That Support Mother Earth 💚
