283. Will Harris on the Shift from Industrial to Zero-Waste Regenerative Farming

How can a zero-waste ecosystem benefit both the environment and the local community? In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael welcomes Will Harris, a fourth-generation farmer and the owner of White Oak Pastures. His regenerative farm maintains a zero-waste ecosystem that supports 10 species of animals and produces everything from high-quality meats to organic fertilizers, demonstrating their commitment to land, livestock, and community. Tune in to hear about Will’s journey from an industrial cattle operation to a zero-waste regenerative farm. Episode Highlights: Will's Farming Journey: Discover how Will’s farming journey began. [2:56] Joining Whole Foods: Explore how Will began his journey with Whole Foods. [6:56] On-Farm Processing: Discover the premise behind White Oak Pastures' on-farm processing [11:24] Their Commitment: Learn how White Oak Pastures implements its zero-waste policy. [21:01] The White Oak Team: Get insights into the size and structure of the White Oak team. [30:01] A Bold Return to Giving a Damn: Understand what inspired Will to write his book. [37:40] The Joe Rogan Experience: Explore how Will ended up on the Joe Rogan podcast. [39:12] Future of White Oak: Discover Will's vision for the future of White Oak Pastures. [44:36] About the Guest: Will Harris is a fourth-generation cattleman, who tends the same land that his great-grandfather settled in 1866. Born and raised at White Oak Pastures, Will left home to attend the University of Georgia's School of Agriculture, where he was trained in the industrial farming methods that had taken hold after World War II. Will graduated in 1976 and returned to Bluffton where he and his father continued to raise cattle using pesticides, herbicides, hormones, and antibiotics. In 1995, Will made the audacious decision to return to the farming methods his great-grandfather had used 130 years before. Since Will has successfully implemented these changes, he has been recognized all over the world as a leader in humane animal husbandry and environmental sustainability.   Connect with White Oak Pastures: Website: Visit White Oak Pastures Instagram: Follow on Instagram Facebook: Like on Facebook Will's Book: A Bold Return to Giving a Damn Don’t miss out on this insightful discussion about the amazing transformation of White Oak Pastures! The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, Farmhand! When it comes to buying a truck, you don't look for parts and try to build it yourself. You want something ready to ride. So why settle for parts when it comes to your farm management? In a world filled with parts vendors, Farmhand is the only all-in-one virtual assistant built by and for independent farmers. With one single platform, Farmhand helps ensure that even small, local farms can access the same level of support and technology typically reserved for larger factory farms. The best part? Farmhand’s ready-to-ride platform comes with zero startup costs or long-term commitments. Learn more and take the quiz to see how much you can save at farmhand.partners/podcast.