PAROWAN, UTAH (RFD-TV) — What began as a love of gardening grew into a community-focused farm for Dayla Ulrich, who built Sweet Pea Farm & Orchard in southern Utah to help connect local residents with fresh food and the experience of life on the land.
Ulrich joined Market Day Report ahead of the Season 8 premiere of FarmHER + RanchHER to share how she got started, the challenges of farming in Utah’s high-desert climate, and the joy of welcoming her community to the farm.
From Gardening to Farming
Ulrich said her interest in farming began with a love of gardening. As her children grew older, she decided to return to school to finish her degree and later continued her education with additional agricultural studies.
Before finishing her master’s degree, she had convinced her husband to purchase a piece of property where she could start a small community farm.
“I just thought, I’m not going to get a degree in agriculture because it’ll be fun. It’ll make me a better gardener,” Ulrich said.
But the more she learned, the more she wanted to pursue agriculture and create a place where her community could access locally grown food.
She said smaller farms play an important role in communities, and that belief helped shape the direction of Sweet Pea Farm & Orchard.
A Farm Built Around Community
Over time, the farm’s focus evolved as more people visited, participated in events, and experienced the farm firsthand.
Today, Ulrich said connecting with the community is one of the most rewarding parts of the operation.
Visitors can walk through the fields, see the vegetables growing and pick flowers while learning more about where their food comes from.
“It’s one of the most rewarding aspects of what we do,” Ulrich said. “Every weekend and every event, getting to see familiar faces and new faces.”
She said watching people enjoy the farm has become central to the business and a source of motivation for her family.
Farming in Southern Utah’s High Desert
Operating in southern Utah brings challenges, particularly when it comes to water availability, drought, and a short growing season.
Ulrich said water is always a concern, and the farm works to use its resources responsibly and maintain sustainable practices.
The high-desert climate also limits the time crops have to grow and produce, while changing weather conditions bring new challenges each year.
“You know, we never know what the weather or Mother Nature is going to throw at us, and so we just kind of roll with it,” she said.
Ulrich said adapting to those conditions is part of farming and requires flexibility and continued attention to the land.
A Special Connection to FarmHER + RanchHER
Ulrich said she was nervous before the FarmHER + RanchHER crew arrived to film, but the experience quickly became memorable.
“It was so much fun,” she said. “I think we laughed more that day than we ever have.”
Learning that her farm would be featured also brought back memories of her aunt, who had passed away that winter. Ulrich said her aunt loved watching FarmHER + RanchHER and often called Ulrich a FarmHER.
She said the timing felt especially meaningful, making the opportunity to share her story even more personal.
Sharing the Joy of Agriculture
For Ulrich, the farm is more than a place to grow food. It is a chance to bring people together and share the rewards of working the land.
She hopes viewers see the enjoyment she and her family find in their work, even when the days bring difficult growing conditions and unexpected challenges.
“We feel so lucky that we get to do this job, that every week we get to play in the dirt,” Ulrich said.
She added that sharing the farm with her community makes the work especially fulfilling.
Watch Dayla Ulrich’s story tonight on the Season 8 premiere of FarmHER + RanchHER, Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET on RFD-TV and RFDTV+.
