Matt Koziol was living the American Dream. He spent a decade working as a financial counselor. He then ventured off on his own, taking over a printing franchise, followed by his own solar company. But something was missing. Matt wanted a new challenge. He wanted to build something to call his own, so he hung up his suit and tie and set out for greener pasture, and that’s precisely what he got when he decided to become a farmer.

Known by locals as Farmer Matt, he now owns a 214-acre farm and leases an additional 400+ acres of farmland—much of which has been certified organic since 2015. He cares for and breeds quality Angus cows and calves, making sure to use a purebred bull each season. In addition to selling farm-fresh beef, Farmer Matt sells certified and conventional hay while providing local farmers with custom haymaking options and other farm services.

But this level of success wasn’t achieved overnight. Matt’s career change was more a calculated risk than a leap of faith, and it was by design. Knowing he would one day own a farm, his journey began by interning for several local farmers. In one memorable instance, Matt recalls how he landed his first internship. While searching for a place to hunt and fish, the farmer who owned the land said that he could hunt and fish on the farm, so long as he was willing to help around the farm…>