Stay Moody: Real Talk on Regenerative Goat Farming
Hi, y’all! Johanna here from the TX Soil Sisters.
(The podcast media player is below w/ links to things we talk about. Or listen here.) This podcast conversation was recorded on May 15, 2026.
What does it take to become a regenerative farmer with no agricultural background?
David Dietsch at Regenerative Revival in Salado, TX
Connect With + Shop The Moody Goat: Follow David's regenerative farming journey, learn about his goat herd, and discover Moody Goat meat sticks and swag through The Moody Goat website and on Instagram @themoodygoat_and @moodygoatmeat
Recorded live at Regenerative Revival in Salado, Texas, the Soil Sisters sit down with David Deitsch of The Moody Goat to talk about building a regenerative goat operation from the ground up. From growing up in suburban Connecticut to managing a thriving herd in Central Texas, David shares the hard-earned lessons, failures, pivots, and mindset shifts that are helping him create a resilient farm business.
Starting with just seven Kiko goats and 34 acres of overgrown land, David discusses learning rotational grazing, restoring pasture health, selecting for parasite resistance, marketing goat meat, working with chefs, and creating value-added products. He also shares practical advice for first-generation farmers navigating uncertainty, financial challenges, and the steep learning curve of agriculture.
Whether you're interested in regenerative agriculture, livestock management, grazing systems, homesteading, ranching, or starting a farm from scratch, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to keep moving forward.
🎧 Key Takeaways In this episode:
Start before you feel ready.
David's farm began with a small herd, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to taking action despite uncertainty.
Failure is part of the process.
Whether it was infrastructure decisions, livestock management, or an unsuccessful chicken enterprise, each setback provided valuable lessons that informed future success.
Healthy land creates healthy animals.
Through rotational grazing, rest periods, and careful herd selection, David focuses on building natural resilience rather than relying on routine dewormers and inputs.
Community accelerates growth.
Mentorship, farmer networks, educational programs, and regenerative events have played a critical role in helping David avoid mistakes and discover new opportunities.
Diversification requires strategy.
Not every enterprise is profitable. David shares how evaluating economics honestly helped him focus on products and markets that aligned with his goals.
Don't quit.
One of the episode's strongest themes is resilience—staying committed through challenges, job loss, financial pressure, and the inevitable learning curve of farming.
Happy farming and healthy living, y’all.
Jo (and Crystal) ❤️
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LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE:
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Time Stamps
00:00 Welcome to Regenerative Revival
01:14 Why regenerative agriculture came first
04:01 The Moody Goat's origin story
06:41 Finding the land in Moody
07:49 Going all in with goats
10:21 Markets and money lessons
15:00 Raising children on the ranch
20:28 Passing a love of land to the next generation
24:18 Dreaming up a rent-a-goat business
25:58 NRCS programs teaser
26:40 Free USDA assistance available to producers
27:47 Regenerative training opportunities
28:31 Learning through community
31:23 Herd-building strategy
33:10 The importance of rest and deferment
35:07 Pivoting through setbacks
36:02 Creating goat meat snack sticks
38:49 How to connect with The Moody Goat
39:57 Why now is the time to start
43:48 Red flags when purchasing your first farm
45:51 The "don't quit" mindset
49:16 The future of regenerative agriculture
51:48 Pride in producing clean food
53:18 Closing remarks
Pics from Regenerative Revival
