Barn & Soul by Dalby Farm
Welcome to Barn & Soul, a podcast brought to you by Dalby Farm - where we will explore the heart of "pet farm" life, learn about critically populated (if not outright) endangered farm breeds, and highlight the deep connections between animals and humans which we strive to encourage and preserve.
The farm has been Kendall's (your host) family since 1861 but it wasn't always a sanctuary for endangered farm breeds or an educational venue for the community. This podcast will touch upon aspects of the farms history, offer insight and advice as it pertains to owning farm animals as pets- and arguably most importantly - share vital information about these endangered farm breeds; what their roles are in our past AND why they're needed in our future.
New Episodes: Wednesdays at 9PM EST
#barnandsoul #farmlife #weloveanimals #petfarm #hobbyfarm #educationalfarm
🔔 Subscribe for more farm life insights, rare breed conservation, and the behind-the-scenes of running a small farm! Remember, all the animals on our farm our PETS! They live out their days as educational ambassadors to our community far & wide! Please follow us here on Youtube!
Find us on Instagram & Facebook @DalbyFarm
Shop our Online Country Store! https://www.dalbyfarm.com/country-store
At least 50% of all shop revenue directly helps fund the care & upkeep of our 160 year old educational family farm and all the endangered breeds who live there.
Barn & Soul by Dalby Farm
Barn & Soul Podcast: Episode 17 - The Invisible Work of Farm Animals: More Than Meat, Milk, and Eggs
Barn & Soul – Episode 17
🎙️ The Invisible Work of Farm Animals: More Than Meat, Milk, and Eggs
When most people think about farm animals, they picture food—eggs, meat, milk. But that’s never been the whole story.
In this episode, we explore the unseen, often uncelebrated roles that animals have played in our survival and our stories. From providing warmth through wool, to powering early economies, to offering emotional support and companionship, farm animals have done more than feed us—they’ve walked alongside us.
Join me as we take a heart-centered journey through the history, labor, and quiet legacy of the animals who’ve given humanity far more than we often realize.
🐐 Wool as survival gear
🐄 Cattle as currency
🐎 Animal-powered labor
🐖 Emotional connection & therapeutic presence
Let’s slow down, honor their impact, and reconnect with the invisible work that still matters today.
📚 References & Sources
- International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO)
Wool and Sustainability Report 2023
https://iwto.org/wool-sustainability - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
Livestock and Cultural Heritage
https://www.fao.org/livestock - National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Animal-Assisted Therapy: Effects on Stress, Anxiety, and Depression (2020–2024)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8790605/
(Example from 2022: Stress Reduction through Human-Animal Interaction) - Journal of Animal Science
Historical Uses of Oxen in Agriculture
https://academic.oup.com/jas - National Geographic Education
The Role of Animals in Human History
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/animals-and-humans-through-time - Smithsonian Magazine
“Chickens and the Invention of Capital”
https://www.smithsonianmag.com - American Psychological Association (APA)
Animal-Assisted Therapy in Clinical Settings: Meta-Analysis and Review
https://www.apa.org - BBC Travel & History
“Why Wool Was Once More Valuable Than Gold”
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220201-wool-warmth-wealth