Family-Owned Farm Embraces Regenerative Agriculture to Grow and Educate

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Rachel and Matthew Chisholm took a leap of faith in following their passions—ones that led them to chicken eggs, goat milk soap, and honey.

As owners of Thistle Gate Farms, a family-run regenerative agriculture farm, they were recently accepted into the 2024 Eastern Michigan Small Business Network (EM-SBN) cohort.

The Small Business Support Hubs program, funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, aims to foster the next generation of businesses across six counties: Shiawassee, Lapeer, Tuscola, Huron, Sanilac, and St. Clair. Each county is guaranteed at least five businesses in the 40-member cohort.

On March 18, Thistle Gate Farms officially launched its social media presence, introducing itself to the community.

“Our family decided to take a risk and start a farm,” Rachel Chisholm said. “My husband has always had a passion for farming, and I studied equine management and business in school.”

Thistle Gate Farms raises cows, chickens, and goats, along with maintaining honeybees and a garden. Their products include chicken eggs, cow milk, packaged honey, and goat milk soap, among others.

While Matthew focuses on hands-on farming, Rachel manages the business’s finances and social media, creating a well-balanced partnership. However, running a farm-based social media account comes with its challenges.

“It’s a struggle to decide how much of your life to share online,” Rachel admitted. “Social media has its benefits, but it also has drawbacks. It’s a delicate balance between being authentic and sharing the highs and lows, like when we recently lost animals to a raccoon attack. Losing them was heartbreaking, both emotionally and financially.”

Despite the challenges, Thistle Gate’s raw and honest storytelling has resonated with many, with its Facebook page nearing 1,000 followers. Assisting with social media and marketing is intern Madilyn Gniewek, who also runs her own business, Madilyn Rochelle Photography.

Understanding Regenerative Agriculture

Thistle Gate Farms follows regenerative agriculture principles, an approach aimed at improving soil health, restoring biodiversity, and combating climate change.

“A core principle of regenerative agriculture is minimizing soil disturbance,” Rachel explained. “This means keeping the soil covered, avoiding bare fields where topsoil can erode. Diversity is key—not just with crops but also with livestock, as different animals contribute uniquely to soil health.”

Rotating livestock is an essential strategy:

Goats clear high weeds and leaves.
Cows graze on the remaining grass.
Chickens follow, breaking up manure and naturally tilling the soil.

This method enriches the land without synthetic fertilizers, creating a more sustainable farming cycle.

The Chisholms have been raising chickens and selling eggs since 2015, but full-time farming remains an evolving journey.

“There’s always room to grow and learn,” Rachel said. “It’s hard to know what you don’t know, so we continually educate ourselves through research and networking.”

Being part of EM-SBN has provided valuable resources, including one-on-one business consulting.

“The individual meetings have been the most valuable,” Rachel said. “These consultants bring years of experience, offering fresh perspectives and solutions to challenges we face.”

Giving Back Through Education

A key factor in Thistle Gate Farms’ selection for the EM-SBN cohort was its community impact. The Chisholms are passionate about educating others—especially children—about regenerative agriculture.

“We love sharing our journey and teaching kids because they are the next generation,” Rachel said. “We’ve visited schools and libraries to present on soil health, regenerative farming, and even our honeybees. It’s important to inspire curiosity and understanding early on.”

Currently, Thistle Gate Farms primarily sells its products through word of mouth and its farm stand, with plans to launch a website soon. Those interested can stay updated through its social media channels.

With a focus on sustainability, education, and community, Thistle Gate Farms continues to cultivate both the land and knowledge for future generations.