If you’re struggling to find farmhands the traditional way, it’s time to think a little creatively!
This was the approach taken by the founders of Yellowstone Farmstead, a farming venture located in scenic Paradise Valley, near Yellowstone National Park. The project originally began as Shugabeet Farms, a solo endeavor of Sage LeBlanc—a seasoned farmer from Maine. In a bold move to expand, she teamed up in 2024 with Allison Larew, who had previously managed gardens at Chico Hot Springs, to cultivate their dream of a sustainable, community-oriented farm.
Social Media Magic
Finding a team to help turn this vision into a reality, however, was quite a challenge.
“Sage and I were sifting through application after application, and I thought, we really need a larger talent pool. That’s when I suggested, let’s try TikTok!” explained Larew to 4KXLF News.
After reviewing about 4,000 applications collected via TikTok, the dynamic duo welcomed 12 new team members— predominately women— resulting in a recent expansion of their farm to a sprawling 10 acres!
While social media had a local impact, it was their determination and entrepreneurial spirit that truly breathed life into Yellowstone Farmstead.
Adventure Awaits
Word spread quickly! Soon after, a dozen new recruits packed their bags and ventured to their new home in remote Paradise Valley, Montana, leaving behind roots in places like Texas, Oklahoma, and even Alaska.
One of these recruits, Adriana Lopez, exchanged the Tohono O’odham Nation’s desert landscape in Arizona for a fresh experience.
“I’d never left the desert before. It was a true adventure! My family thought I was nuts; they were like, ‘You’re going where? What are you thinking?’ and honestly, I was a bit scared myself,” she shared.
To ease the daunting transition, the farm offered free lodging in exchange for just 15 hours of work per week, which is a pretty sweet deal! Leveraging social media to find recruits proved extremely effective.
Approximately 90% of small businesses are utilizing social media for promotions, and 78% consider it essential for boosting their income, as per Synup’s statistics. For this small operation, platforms like TikTok became the crucial link connecting ambitious individuals to their dreams.
Roots of Passion
To Larew and LeBlanc, building their venture is more than just about profit; it’s about materializing aspirations. They envisioned creating a farm unlike any other…
Securing their land involved a unique agreement with the previously mysterious Church Universal and Triumphant, which was known for its apocalyptic predictions in the past. They converted old church facilities into living spaces for their workers, designed greenhouses, and planted thousands of seeds—both literally and for a hopeful future.
Many may view the workload as overwhelming, but to them, working towards a cause they believe in feels less like work.
“I touch base with my dreams daily. This is what my life is all about. Financial success would be nice, but honestly, that’s not my focus,” Larew expressed.
That kind of commitment is more than heartfelt—it’s inspiring. In the wisdom of billionaire Jay Chaudhry, head of cybersecurity firm Zscaler, passion shapes those remarkable efforts into something sustainable.
“Without passion, experience is pointless. You won’t have the motivation needed to push through hurdles,” he told CNBC Make It.
So whether you’re planting vegetables or coding apps, committing to what fuels your passion is one of the most rewarding things you might ever do
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