The Transfarmation Project

The Hamiltons Transformed Their Multigenerational Dairy Operation into a Mushroom Farm

Paul and Paula Hamilton ran a dairy farm together since they’d been married, an operation that had been in Paul’s family for three generations. When asked what brought them to farming, Paula said: “It’s really all my husband has ever known. It’s what he grew up with. It’s just what is expected of you in this area, when you grow up on a farm, that you’ll continue doing it.”

The Hamiltons’ dairy farm operated with about 40 to 50 cows. “When we had cows, my husband could tell you whose cow was whose mother, and he knew when a cow was not acting right,” Paula said, comparing their small farm with the very large dairies that are common in the industry. “When you’re milking that many cows, you can’t know that stuff. You know [dairies] can’t be taking care of the animals the way they should when they are that size.”

7/21/2023

Began Work with Transfarmation

11/1/2023

Awarded R&I Grant  for Mushroom  Growing

12/1/2023

Started  Construction

4/25/2024

Harvested and Sold First Mushroom  Crop

Animals Once Raised on This  Farm

I don’t think the average person understands where their food comes from.

When you tell them the average dairy has tens of thousands of cows, they are appalled.

—Paula Hamilton

The Hamiltons maintained their dairy farm until 2022. Paula explained their circumstances for exiting dairy and how they were forced out because of the small size of their operation: “You have to look at this as maybe a blessing in disguise.” Reflecting on their relationship with their integrator, Paula noted, “They are a business; they should not be considered a co-op.” The Hamiltons were interviewed by WCPO Cincinnati about their uncertain future as their dairy-farming days came to an end.

After their dairy closed, Paula attended Farm Aid to tell their farm’s story. There she observed a demonstration on mushroom farming. Paula had grown mushrooms for fun but now felt that mushroom farming could be a viable option for supplementing their income. She began researching what mushroom farming would take, and it seemed a good idea—even if a bit intimidating at first: “We want it to be successful. When you go from something you know a lot about to something you know nearly nothing about, there’s a lot of anxiety about that.”

Paula found Transfarmation through her mushroom research and connections made through Farm Aid. In 2023, she applied for the Bo Halley Research and Innovation Grant for their pilot project idea, Hamilton Farms Mushrooms. The project leverages Paul’s welding expertise and Paula’s nursing skills to convert their milking barns and dairy parlor into a mushroom-growing operation. “We did go into this with our eyes open,” Paula shared. “We did a lot of research into it. We’re able to make things work, to identify a problem and find solutions.”

Paula has remarked on the support she has received since discovering Transfarmation: “Being in touch with somebody who has been there and done it has helped tremendously … and knowing if I need somebody, I can call and get support. [Transfarmation] has a Rolodex of great people!” Paula hopes to continue sharing her family farm’s story and the Hamiltons’ experience undertaking a farm transition. Community building is important to her: “It empowers you to a certain extent. You kind of feel like, ‘Maybe I am helping change someone’s mind or helping do something.’”

Transfarmation™ Farmers

Halley Farm

Craig Watts

Tom Lim

Faaborg Family

Paula & Dale Boles

Barker Family Farm

Hamilton Farm

Other Farmers

Mike Weaver

Mike Lanigan & Edith Barabash

Jerry & Steve Carroll