On this week’s episode of The Rural Woman Podcast, you’ll meet Scarlett Salamone. A chronically ill former inner city special education teacher gone calf loving, goat toting, chicken chasing, duck herding, sheep shearing dairy farmer. Scarlett grew up on the heels of her dad and uncles on her grandparents’ livestock farm  in IL hoping there would be a runt she could raise. Her peace as a biracial kid in a less than welcoming world was found in the barns, putting meat on the table for her family the bonus. Scarlett’s Farm, Loveland Acres located in Southern Wisconsin, is a community-focused farm committed to utilizing the diversity in plants, animals, and humans to do our part in ensuring the land is stewarded well, all children have a place to learn in the fields, and everyone has a seat at the table to celebrate hard work put in.

Scarlett Salamone | BIO

I’m Scarlett. A chronically ill former inner city special education teacher gone calf loving, goat toting, chicken chasing, duck herding, sheep shearing dairy farmer.

I grew up on the heels of my dad and uncles on my grandparents’ livestock farm  in IL hoping there would be a runt I could raise. My peace as a biracial kid in a less than welcoming world was found in the barns, putting meat on the table for my family the bonus. Though I wanted to pursue dairy farming I wasn’t supported and went to school for teaching.

I earned my degree in special education and became a dually certified teacher in the inner city of Milwaukee. I was just hitting my stride in advocating for my students both in and out of the classroom when chronic illness took over. Several diagnosis later and my career was done.
At my lowest point with my diseases I was 96 pounds, struggling mentally, and facing a feeding tube placement. It was then I got the heart nudge to get goats. Research was done, the benefits of raw milk learned, and goats were brought on. Out of starvation, our farm was born.
The farm grew and a vision manifested to share our working farm with kids through hands-on agricultural programming. Nothing can replace being immersed in nature. Nothing can replace the value of learning animal husbandry and all that comes with it. Nothing can replace the value of knowing how to produce and preserve your own food. Plenty of adults are already lacking in this – happy to help there too, but our children? Our children deserve better. I farm for a future that provides it.

Review of The Week

You’ll have some kind of farm if you don’t already after listening
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ – Tiffany from Houston, TX via Apple Podcasts
“I’ve been listening to an episode each morning on my way to work and have learned so much from women farmers around Canada and here in the US. I don’t have a farming background but am passionate about eating more local foods and growing some myself. We recently bought a house on 1.3 acres and I have to say, I really want to start a micro flower farm now! 🌷🌻🌼🌸 Thanks for inspiring and educating women around the world!”

Thank you so much for your kind words! If you’re also loving the show, please consider leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts!

Don’t have an Apple product? Not to worry! Leave your review below in the comment section of these show notes or head to the WildRoseFarmer Facebook page to leave your rating and review there. You’ll hear your kind words on an upcoming episode!