FORT WORTH, TEXAS (RFD-TV) — The eighth season of FarmHER + RanchHER premieres Thursday, October 29, bringing viewers stories of women building agricultural operations, carrying on family traditions and finding new ways to sustain their farms and ranches.
FarmHER + RanchHER Host Kirbe Schnoor joined us with a preview of the new season, which premieres this Thursday at 8:30 PM ET only on RFD-TV and streaming on RFDTV+
In her conversation on Market Day Report, Schnoor said these seven new episodes differ from past seasons by featuring predominantly first-generation farmers and ranchers making major career changes, while highlighting rural community support and producers’ creative business diversification.
The Grit and Grace of First-Generation Ranchers
Schnoor said Season 8 features several women who left previous careers and made significant changes to build lives in agriculture.
Some were motivated by a desire to raise their children on the land and give their families a closer connection to agriculture and rural communities.
“It’s not an easy way of life; it’s not lucrative most of the time, as we know you don’t get rich ranching or farming, but it’s very rewarding,” Schnoor said.
She said hearing why these women chose agriculture was especially moving, and she highlighted the commitment involved in investing in land, livestock, and a different way of life.
For Schnoor, the stories also reflect the importance of raising the next generation to understand where food comes from and the work required to produce it.
Shining a Light on How Rural Communities Make a Difference
A recurring theme this season is the support women receive from their neighbors and fellow producers as they learn the challenges of farming and ranching.
Schnoor said the women featured in the series described neighbors stepping in to help deliver calves, care for sick animals, and share equipment during busy seasons.
She said those relationships are an important part of what makes agriculture special, particularly for people entering the industry without generations of family experience.
“Everyone has a story. Everyone has a voice,” Schnoor said, reflecting on what she has learned throughout her years working on the series.
She added that the people behind agricultural operations are just as important to the stories as the work happening in the fields and pastures.
Exploring How Diversification Helps Operations Adapt
Schnoor said the season also explores how producers are adapting to challenges such as drought and finding additional ways to support their operations.
Some of the women featured have expanded beyond traditional cattle production by developing branded beef programs, making tallow and pursuing other sources of revenue.
Social media is also playing a role, she said, helping producers educate consumers, build an audience, and generate additional income for their businesses.
“You can’t just be a cattle rancher anymore,” Schnoor said, describing how some operations are finding new ways to remain viable.
She said these approaches demonstrate the range of decisions producers are making to keep their businesses moving forward.
Season Premiere Celebrates a Community Farm-to-Table Effort
The season premiere introduces viewers to Dayla Ulrich and her team in Utah, where women work together to tend the land and bring the surrounding community together through food.
Schnoor said the group sources local beef from a nearby rancher and hosts a Saturday breakfast and brunch that draws people from the local area and beyond, including visitors from Salt Lake City.
She said the effort offers an opportunity to connect people with agriculture while showcasing the personalities and stories behind the food they eat.
Schnoor described the group as an example of how producers can bring communities together and help people better understand the agricultural lifestyle.
Celebrating the Women Behind Agriculture
Schnoor said she remains inspired by the women she meets and the different paths that brought them into agriculture after hosting four seasons of the show across FarmHER, RanchHER, and now the second season of the combined series FarmHER + RanchHER.
She also credited the production team for taking the time to learn each woman’s story and show viewers why they do the work.
The new season will highlight the challenges, determination, and rewards of life on the land, focusing on the people and communities helping agriculture move forward.
