Austin Troyer of Crossroads Land and Livestock shares his journey as a first-generation farmer in eastern Ohio, building a large-scale grazing operation entirely on leased land. Austin explains how working for established ranches shaped his low-input mindset, how he spent years searching for the right lease, and why he has chosen to prioritize sheep alongside cattle on reclaimed strip-mine ground. Throughout the conversation, Austin breaks down the realities of fencing, water limitations, winter grazing without hay, and the business decisions that allow his family operation to grow without heavy capital investment.
In this episode, we cover:
Why This Episode Matters
This episode offers a realistic look at what it takes to start and scale a grazing operation without land ownership, expensive equipment, or high inputs. Austin’s experience highlights practical decision-making, patience, and mindset shifts that are especially valuable for beginning farmers, leased-land operators, and anyone questioning conventional approaches to infrastructure, winter feeding, or expansion.
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