Breaking Down My Joel Salatin-Style Business Plan While Powering Through Tall Johnson Grass

Today I knocked down 26 acres of head-high Johnson grass with the John Deere 5090E and the 15-foot rotary mower. It was the final cut before winter, and while the mower was running, I recorded the whole ride-along so I could finally sit down and explain, step by step, the exact business plan Joel Salatin helped me build for this farm.

Why I Had to Mow Right Now

If I let this Johnson grass go to seed and then get beaten down by winter snow and spring rain, it turns into an impossible mat. Come April I wouldn’t be able to chisel-plow or make a clean seedbed. One day of mowing now saves me weeks of headaches (and mud) later.

The Real Payload: My Joel Salatin-Inspired Business Plan

Three years ago this was a worn-out row-crop farm growing GMO corn and beans on 30-year-old compaction. I bought it planning to keep leasing it out… until I read Joel’s books, flew him here for a consult, and realized I could do Polyface-style farming on my own 78 acres — no million-dollar equipment required.

The breakthrough idea Joel drove home:

Don’t grow horizontally (buy the neighbor’s farm and chase commodity margins). Grow vertically — stack multiple enterprises on the same acres.

Here’s the simple plan we laid out that day (and that I’m executing right now):

1. 2025 – Mow old residue, chisel plow, plant diverse pasture cocktail (grasses + forbs + legumes)
2. 2026 – Let roots rebuild soil structure (no grazing yet)
3. 2027 – Bring on the first income stream: grass-fed beef cows (daily-move grazing), boiler chickens, and laying hens.

That’s three completely separate livestock enterprises turning the same grass into three income streams — all while the manure builds organic matter and heals 30 years of chemical damage.

No more “get big or get out.” Just stack enterprises, sell direct, and let the land pay for itself.

Mission Accomplished

What looks like “just a mowed field” in the final sweeping shot is actually the foundation for everything to come: regenerative pasture, on-farm schoolhouse days, and clean meat for families and pets.

Every big vision starts with one small mission — today’s was tall Johnson grass: 0, Mike: 1.

See you on the next mission! 🚜🌾

– Mike Mission Farmstead

PS: 🎁 Parents — grab a free Kidsteader homeschooling lesson here: LINK