Meet Jason and Katrina Julian. At age 30 they were operating a large dairy farm but not making any money, although they were overworked. They reevaluated their priorities, started working with draft horses as a hobby and eventually sold the farm, bought a small acreage in Wisconsin and started a small self sustainable draft horse powered farm.
Jason narrates the entire video by explaining his business and life philosophy. Starting with his draft horses. He is partial to Brabant crosses and discusses the virtues of the Brabant breed for farming with horses and why he prefers crosses to purebreds. Once he purchased the farm, he bought horse drawn equipment as he could and learned to use it. He explains why he keeps a tractor and what he uses it for.
Great footage of the milking parlor at milking time includes all the steps they use in milking their cows. Jason also cross breeds his cows. He explains that to be self sustaining one has to adapt to the climate and conditions of where one lives.
He crosses Jerseys with Bavarian Fleckviehs.
This breeding produces a cow that can keep weight on eating primarily forage as grain is more difficult to grow in their area.
The family also raises:
three pigs per year,
most of their own fruit and vegetable,
chickens for meat and eggs and
beef cattle for themselves and family.
Jason also discusses the benefits to the community when it is comprised of small farms. His philosophy for raising his children and having them do chores and be part of the business.