Building a Homestead with Terra Larsen of Everest Acres

“Sharing your life online, like we talked about, has been really surprising how many people appreciate what you’re doing and are open to let you know how much they appreciate what you’re doing and that’s been a big comfort for me.” 

In this episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Terra Larsen about a topic that is near and dear to my heart, homesteading. Terra shared how and why she and her husband, Trevor, started homesteading. Terra talked about the expansion to their operation and introduced us to some of the stars on their farm, milk cows Helen and Ruth. Terra also opened up to some of her struggles with sharing her homesteading journey online as well as some of her good experiences such as meeting new people and forming new friendships.  

 

About our guest: Terra Larsen, Everest Acres - Utah

Terra grew up on a farm in a small town in the heart of Utah.  Her parents raised and sold purebred black Angus cattle and her mom bred and sold registered mini American Shepherds. Terra loved living on the farm until she was a little bit older and wanted to experience the city life. She moved away, traveled the world, became a firefighter/ AEMT, met and married her husband Trevor who is also a Firefighter/Aemt. Then in 2017, they moved back to Terra’s hometown where they lived for several years before moving into her grandma’s old farmhouse that they renovated. In 2020, Terra and her husband were expecting their miracle baby Everest, and they couldn’t get anything in the stores for a baby because it was all sold out. That made them realize how dependent we were on others for our basic needs, and it struck a cord for them. They then purchased a 2 acre parcel of land with a home and metal building and some old corrals that Terra’s dad actually built when her parents were first married. This being a piece of property that had been in the family and is now back in their family.  They have built everything since and now have a small homestead complete with chickens, donkeys pigs, cats, turkeys, rabbits and of course their milk cows, Helen and Ruth. Now in 2023, they sell raw milk and pasture chickens to their community and are excited to see where this journey takes their family. 

You can connect with Terra on Youtube or TikTok. 

 

At a glance:

[6:06]: Where it all started

“A milk cow is so incredibly diverse in what they can provide for you and your family.”

[17:43] Time and role management 

“We sit down and write out a schedule because we want to make sure it's equal because we both agreed to this venture.”

[26:07] Building the milk barn

“It was really fun to build it and know what we were working towards.”

[33:13] Selling raw milk

“We’re slowly getting more and more interest in our local community for our raw milk.”

[39:31] Other animals on the farm

Chickens, pigs and more.

[49:07] Making new friends and sharing online

“It took a lot for me to start posting because I am so self critical. I don’t want people to criticize what I’m doing and how I’m doing it, and that’s been hard for me.” 

  You may also enjoy…

#2 Navigating First-Generation Dairy Farming

#12 Beginning Farming and Resetting Your Farm Practices with DL Lautenbach

#52 Growing a First Generation Operation with Millennial Rancher Calli Williams

 

About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright: 

I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.

I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media. 

Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok.