171. Growing a Farm Brand with Alex Russell

In this episode, we chat with Alex from Chucktown Acres, a regenerative farm based in Charleston, South Carolina. Alex shares his transformation from suburban musician and Bible college student to full-time regenerative farmer. His journey includes a pivotal internship at Polyface Farms and eventually taking over an existing farm operation in coastal South Carolina. Alex now manages a thriving multi-species livestock operation and also teaches marketing to other farmers.Topics CoveredAlex’s health awakening and discovery of real foodThe shift from Bible college to aspiring farmerSecuring a highly competitive internship at Polyface FarmsWhat life and work were like at PolyfaceStarting and rebranding Chucktown AcresRaising grass-fed beef, Berkshire hogs, broilers, laying hens, turkeys, and moreAdjusting practices for regional predator pressure in South CarolinaUsing and recommending Kiwi Tech posts and Gallagher reelsBuilding a direct-to-consumer business with Barn2Door and weekly email marketingOffering internships for local youth interested in sustainable agNavigating social media and customer communicationEquipment preferences and gear talk (O’Brien vs. Kiwi Tech)Whether you’re just starting your regenerative journey or looking to refine your marketing and multi-species operation, Alex’s story is a valuable one. He didn’t grow up farming and didn’t inherit land—but he found a way through passion, grit, and practical action. His take on internships, rebranding, and building customer relationships through authentic marketing is inspiring and actionable. Plus, there’s plenty of great gear talk for graziers who love comparing reels and posts.Resources MentionedPolyface FarmsBooks & Authors:Folks, This Ain’t Normal by Joel SalatinDirt to Soil by Gabe BrownWorks by Greg Judy, Alan Savory, Will HarrisBarn2Door – eCommerce for farmersRedmond AgricultureNoble Research Institute CoursesKiwi Tech Posts – Available at Ken CoveGallagher reels, O’Brien posts, and other fencing gearVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmondGBT AngusGrazing Grass LinksNew Listener Resource GuideProvide feedback for the podcastWebsiteInsidersResources (Coming Soon)Community (on Facebook)Check out the Apiary Chronicles PodcastChapters(00:00) - Introduction and Quickfire Questions (01:58) - Welcome to the Grazing Grass Podcast (03:36) - Alex's Journey to Farming (05:15) - Discovering the World of Health Food (06:56) - From Bible College to Farming Aspirations (15:57) - Internship at Polyface Farms (42:06) - Starting Chucktown Acres (45:17) - Starting the Farming Journey (45:56) - A Fortunate Break (46:59) - Taking Over the Farm (48:33) - Rebranding and Relocating (49:50) - Challenges and Adaptations (53:30) - Marketing and Sales Strategies (57:29) - Social Media and Marketing Challenges (59:49) - Advice for New Farmers (01:12:05) - The Importance of Farmer's Markets (01:14:19) - Famous Four Questions (01:19:52) - Final Thoughts and Resources