Top 3 Struggles of Turning Our Tennessee Ranch Regenerative (It’s Hard Work)

Before we became the caretakers of 2 Coots Ranch, these 1,000 acres here in Decaturville, Tennessee were used mostly to grow beans — soybeans, that is. And to be honest, that took a real toll on the land.

Before we ever put cattle or chickens on pasture, I did a lot of reading. Just about every Joel Salatin book I could get my hands on. I knew I wanted to ranch regeneratively. I wanted to restore health to the land naturally… and then maintain it naturally.

I knew it would be hard work.
I just didn’t expect it to be this much work.

If you’re curious what that actually looks like on the ground — and why our joints forecast the weather better than the local news — here are the top three struggles we’ve faced so far.

1. Water & Fencing (A Whole Lot of Both)

You can’t raise animals without water.
And you can’t regenerate pasture without fencing.

So far, I’ve:

• Dug five wells (three of them worked)
• Built solar-powered well houses
• Installed over 50,000 linear feet of fencing

That’s countless hours of labor and more money than I care to add up.

Why is all this necessary? Because regenerative grazing only works if animals can move. Our cows, chickens, and turkeys need fresh pasture, then time for the land to rest and recover before they come back through again. Without water access and fencing, that system just doesn’t work.

It’s hard work.
But it’s the foundation of doing things right.

2. Weeds… Specifically Cockleburs

Let me just say it plainly — I hate cockleburs.

They stick to everything, including the cows, and the cows won’t even eat them. Cockleburs thrive in disturbed areas like old agricultural fields, roadsides, and vacant lots.

Which pretty much describes what this land looked like when we got here.

As soil health improves and natural balance is restored, those weeds should come back into check. But for now, it’s a real battle with the burs. Anyone who tells you regenerative ranching is “hands-off” has never spent time pulling prickly hitchhikers out of a cow’s hide.

3. Keeping Beef & Poultry in Stock

Farming beef is a long game.

Did you know it takes about two years for a beef cow to grow to full size?

Our chickens and turkeys are pasture raised, which means we can only raise them during the warmer months when the pasture is growing. We have to grow enough birds in one season to last through winter and spring.

That takes:

• Careful planning
• Long-term thinking
• And sometimes telling folks, “It’s not ready yet”

We won’t rush it. Rushing breaks the system.

Why We Keep Doing It

Yes, these are struggles. Real ones.

But they’re worth it.

We’re not just growing meat here at 2 Coots Ranch. We’re growing healthier land, healthier animals, and healthier food for your family.

Kim and I are technically retired — at least on paper. We didn’t have to do this. We chose to. Our goal is to build something that lasts, something we can pass down to our kids and grandkids.

We’re in this for the long game, and we’re grateful you’re walking it with us.

Thank you for supporting 2 Coots Ranch. Truly.

— Phil 🇺🇸