Pursuing Life: The Spiritual and Practical Path of Regenerative Agriculture

Dec 9

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.)

In this Soil Sisters podcast (recorded on Oct. 7, 2025), we had an inspiring conversation with Jonah and Kendra Martin, the passionate duo behind Holdfast Farmstead. Their story of transitioning from ship captains to farmsteaders in southwest Iowa is one of courage, resilience, and a commitment to regenerative practices.

The Martins’ journey from ship captains to farmers is as unique as it is inspiring. Originally making their living on the sea, the couple decided to venture into farming, driven by a desire to create a family-centered life on land. They purchased 50 acres in Iowa, where they focus on regenerative practices rotationally grazing Kiko goats. The Martins specialize in breeding goats for low-input, forage-based systems.

Jonah and Kendra Martin farm 50 acres of hilly pasture and timber in SW Iowa. They focus on regenerative practices using rotational grazing. Their new farm store fosters community building and networking starting with clean foods. **From their website** they sell shelf-stable, nutrient dense foods and tallow products, as well as, reusable zero-waste products like paperless towels, snack bags, facial sets and more. Learn more at **HoldfastFarmstead.com**.
Connect with Holdfast Farmstead: on IG on FB

At Holdfast Farmstead, the Martins have created more than just a farm; they've cultivated a community. The Holdfast Farm Store fosters connections around clean foods, bringing together local growers and consumers. Inspired by the demand for access to clean, local foods, they transformed part of their space into a hub for nutrient-dense fresh produce and shelf-stable foods, along with tallow products, hand-made items, and freeze-dried goods.

For the Martins, farming is more than a means of livelihood; it's a spiritual journey rooted in family. Jonah describes farming as the greatest adventure of their lives. He likens the opportunity to steward the land to the Orthodox Christian faith's principles of living in harmony with creation. Their commitment to regenerative agriculture parallels a deeper spiritual practice in which the health of relationships—whether with the land or the community—is paramount.

Jonah and Kendra discuss the choices they made to incorporate both agricultural and off-farm ventures into their path. And Kendra highlights the power of empathy and open conversations in bridging the gap between different farming practices and the needs of the greater community.

There are plenty of takeaways to apply to the context of our own operation and local community.

Happy farming and healthy living, y’all.

Jo (and Crystal) ❤️

P.S. Receive Our TX Soil Sisters Newsletter by Signing Up Here. And Join Our Co-Op Here. 🙌

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LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE:

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