312 How a Homesteader Turned Her Side Hustle into a Growing Farm Business

My Digital Farmer Podcast

What happens when a total city girl decides to go all-in on the homesteading life… and ends up building a full-blown farm business from scratch?

In this episode, I sit down with Beth DeClerq, a self-taught homesteader who started out just wanting to be self-sufficient—and ended up creating a profitable farm business that’s now helping her family build toward a full-time income.

Beth didn’t grow up farming. She had zero experience with animals or agriculture. But one step at a time—raising chickens, gardening, milking a cow, selling eggs—she figured it out. And along the way, her neighbors started asking if they could buy from her. Fast forward to today, and Beth is scaling her farm operation, growing an online membership that teaches homesteading skills, and using the early bird sales system she learned from this podcast to sell out her pastured poultry… before they’ve even hit the freezer.

🎧 This is a story of grit, organic growth, and leaning into your niche. Tune in to hear how Beth turned her side hustle into something bigger—and the key takeaways she’s learned along the way.

Today's Podcast Guest: Beth Declercq

Beth Declercq is a city-kid-turned-homesteader, raising 8 kids with her husband Tommy on 10 acres in mid-Michigan. She originally began homesteading with the desire to provide better food for her family, but eventually their change in lifestyle grew into a longing for financial self sufficiency too. Their small homestead now generates enough revenue to cover all it's own costs, and then some, and they are currently on the journey of scaling from family homestead to a small farm.

Follow Beth on Instagram @BethDeclercq

Here's the link to her homesteading membership: IntentionalHomesteading.com

Podcast Sponsors: Local Line:

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Farm Marketing School:

Marketing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming! Farm Marketing School is my step-by-step system for building a profitable farm marketing plan. Inside, you'll get access to bite-sized marketing projects like:

• 📆 Creating a promotion calendar that drives consistent sales
• 🛠️ Setting up & optimizing your Google Business Profile
• 📧 Writing high-converting emails (nurture, promotions, onboarding)
• 🗣️ Collecting & using customer testimonials effectively
• 🔍 Auditing & improving your sales funnel
• 💬 Monthly live coaching calls for answers to your burning questions

Each project includes a workshop and step-by-step plan so you can take action and see results without the overwhelm. Join here: 👉 www.mydigitalfarmer.com/fms (Cancel anytime!)

Helpful Links Mentioned in This Episode

• Want to build your own “early bird” sales campaign like Beth did? My online course Early Bird Campaigns that Convert is now inside of Farm Marketing School!! Enroll monthly in FMS and get access to this course.
• What email provider do I use? I recommend Kit.com (formerly ConvertKit.com) -- it is easy to use, powerful, and getting better every year. It also integrates with most e-commerce providers and tools. Use my affiliate link!

• Follow Beth on Instagram @BethDeclercq

• Here's the link to Beth's homesteading online membership: IntentionalHomesteading.com

• 📲 Follow me on Instagram: @mydigitalfarmer
• 📬 Join My Email List: Get weekly farm marketing tips delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up at www.mydigitalfarmer.com/subscribe.
• 🌱 Want more farm marketing strategies? Visit my full resource library at www.mydigitalfarmer.com

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