PAROWAN, UTAH (RFD-TV) — Farming in Utah’s high desert comes with its share of challenges, but FarmHER Dayla Ulrich of Sweet Pea Farm & Orchard has built an operation centered on growing food, welcoming the community, and sharing the rewards of small-scale agriculture.
Ulrich, who was featured in the Season 8 premiere of FarmHER + RanchHER, joined Market Day Report to discuss her journey and her upcoming appearance on the Dirt Diaries podcast.
From Gardening to Small-Scale Agriculture
In her conversation with RFD-TV, Ulrich said her interest in farming began with a love of gardening. After her children got older, she decided to pursue an agricultural degree, eventually earning a master’s degree and gaining more experience growing food.
She and her family purchased three acres and began growing vegetables, flowers, and other crops. Over time, the operation expanded into agritourism, with farm-to-table breakfasts and dinners becoming an important part of the business.
“We’ve just been growing food and vegetables, flowers, all the things,” Ulrich said. “And slowly, as time went on, we transitioned to a lot more agritourism.”
She said the farm-to-table events have become one of the most enjoyable parts of the operation.
The Real Stories Behind Farming
Ulrich’s Dirt Diaries conversation with host Kirbe Schnoor offered an opportunity to talk about both the successes and challenges of running a farm.
She said Schnoor made the conversation feel comfortable while also asking questions that encouraged her to open up.
“She asks some hard questions, some questions I had a hard time answering,” Ulrich said. “But she made it really, really fun and super easy and comfortable.”
Ulrich said those honest conversations are part of what makes the podcast meaningful, giving listeners an opportunity to relate to the experiences of farmers and ranchers or learn from them.
More Time on a Computer Than Expected
One surprising part of running the farm has been how much time Ulrich spends working on a computer and phone.
She said she expected to spend most of her time outdoors, especially because being in the dirt is her favorite part of the job. Instead, the business side of farming requires more screen time than she initially anticipated.
“That was probably the biggest shock for me,” she said. “It was obviously not what I was picturing because my favorite place to be is in the dirt.”
Learning to Adapt and Finding Joy in the Work
Ulrich said farming has also taught her that she cannot control every situation or challenge that comes her way.
“I think it’s taught me that really I’m not in control,” she said. “I get to just choose how I respond to things, but ultimately I don’t get to choose what situations I’m encountering.”
She said each growing season brings something different, and expecting challenges to arise can make them easier to navigate.
Ulrich said maintaining a positive attitude has helped her keep moving forward, even when things do not go as planned.
Despite the physical demands, early mornings and late nights, Ulrich said she and her family enjoy what they have built at Sweet Pea Farm & Orchard.
“I hope that they see how much we enjoy what we get to do, and how much fun we have,” she said. “Yes, it is hard work. It’s physical. There are some early mornings, some late nights, and it can be really challenging. But we really, really love what we get to do.”
Listen and Watch
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to hear new episodes of Dirt Diaries every Tuesday! And don’t forget to rate and review! We want to know what you think of the show! You can also watch the video version of Dirt Diaries on our YouTube page or tune in to hear new episodes on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 143 every Saturday and Sunday at 5 AM ET and 4 PM ET.
Stream Dayla’s episode of FarmHER + RanchHER any time with your subscription to RFDTV+
