Dj Breault

My vision is to establish a profitable and community-centered farm business on leased land or through a collaborative partnership in Michigan. I currently live in Howell, Michigan, with my parents, who are incredibly supportive of this dream. Living at home has given me the financial freedom to invest in my future and experiment with raising animals like ducks and bees, as well as practicing organic gardening and small-scale market gardening.

My desire is not to farm alone. Farming is joyful and fulfilling, but it can also be exhausting and isolating. Over the past few years, I’ve been searching for other young people who share a vision of stewarding the land together. I believe that if I can secure land in my area and offer food and shelter, I’ll have no problem drawing others to join in this mission, ensuring consistent, dedicated stewardship and a vibrant on-site workforce for the farm. I envision a diverse, Christ-centered community—both ecologically and socially—where people and nature thrive side by side. This vision echoes what Joel Salatin speaks about: a farm that reflects the beauty of creation and cultivates meaningful relationships.

Values As a follower of Christ, I believe we are called to love one another and care for the earth. My farm will reflect this calling by fostering deep relationships between employees, customers, landowners, and the animals we raise. I value transparency, stewardship, integrity, and hospitality. I believe in "relationship marketing," not as a sales tactic, but as a foundation of trust—just like most people have a family doctor, I want to be their family farmer. I am committed to long-term, mutually beneficial relationships, ensuring the land is cared for and improved for generations.

Goals My goal is to start small and grow sustainably as resources and people become available. I’m not interested in becoming a millionaire or building an empire. I simply want to farm, live in rhythm with the land, and serve a community of people. I firmly believe regenerative farming—when done well—can be both joyful and profitable, improving soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and increasing the long-term value and resilience of the land. My goal is to create a low-input, low-fossil-fuel operation that honors God’s creation and meets the needs of families around me. I also see agrecreation as a powerful tool to generate revenue and build community, offering experiences like classes, farm tours, and potentially farm stays.   

Skills

I’ve been an outdoorsman my whole life and consider myself a jack of all trades. While I’m still learning about mechanics, I’m quick to adapt and always hungry to grow. I’ve worked in masonry for over five years, primarily installing tile, which provides supplemental income as I build my farm. I’m becoming a stronger communicator every day and understand that communication is a key part of business success.

My formal farm education includes:

• A 1-day grazing class at Lake City Research Center

• A 3-day Soil Health Academy through Understanding Ag in Dafter, Michigan   

   

• Numerous pasture walks and field days across the state   

   

Some of the enterprises I’m most interested in include:

• Beef Finishers using adaptive multi-paddock grazing to regenerate soil and sequester carbon   

   

• Pastured Pigs, especially in woodland restoration
• Targeted Goat Grazing, in partnership with Goats on the Go, as a land-clearing service
• Pastured Poultry, raised in daily-move mobile tractors
• Market Gardening, focused on nutrient-dense vegetables grown with soil health in mind
• Beekeeping, primarily for honey used in my skincare products
• Sheep and Meat Rabbits, based on land availability and demand

I also run a small natural care retail business and plan to leverage my existing customer base and online presence to market meat, vegetables, and other farm products. My current website will act as a vehicle for storytelling and sales. I’m open to taking out a farm infrastructure loan early on if it’s at a good rate, and with encouragement from mentors, family, and faith, I believe I can build this dream into a profitable, life-giving reality. I am prepared to work collaboratively to establish clear, comprehensive agreements that protect the interests of all parties involved.

I’m a 23-year-old aspiring regenerative farmer, inspired by the work of Joel Salatin. I recently graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Agribusiness Management. For the past three years, I’ve been studying regenerative agriculture diligently, attending a Soil Health Academy, participating in multiple pasture walks, and building a strong network of like-minded farmers. I also spent a summer working on a regenerative farm to gain hands-on experience.

In addition to farming, I run a small business—DJBFarms.com—where I sell beef tallow-based skincare products made from ingredients I source with integrity.