An Inspired Chat with Angella Trout of Otero County, New Mexico

Angella Trout shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Angella, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I usually wake up drink water and stretch. Then I start coffee, let the dogs out and sit quietly for a while. Next I sit and plan out my day, return emails as long as the morning is running smoothly and wait for the rest of the house to get moving.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi I’m Angella the owner and founder of Naturally Balanced Farms. We started in 2008 just as Naturally Balanced when I was earning my degree in Holistic Health Care. I started making beauty products to pay my way. When I eventually moved to my farm in 2014 that’s when I added that to the name I use my knowledge of Holistic healing in my products and farming practices. I’d been a single mom most of my adult life and knew that having different avenues of income was important so when I me my fiancé we grew the farm and business by adding dog boarding. During our time together I had a baby at nearly 40 and sadly a year later my fiancé passed away December 2021. I was extremely nervous about how I was going to survive financially and raise this baby. One day I was at my breaking point and about to have to sell off all of my animals, I was devastated as the one thing I was certain of is that I wanted to raise our daughter on the farm with the animals and the lifestyle that it brings. Anyway I was scrolling TikTok and ran across a video from Max Wade AKA Cowboy Max, he was talking about targeted grazing with goats for land management, vegetation control and fire mitigation. A lightbulb went off and I took a chance and reached out. He was so kind and told me what I needed to do to get started. His knowledge and kindness that day changed everything for us and saved my little farm. Since then I’ve sold my goat milk soaps and other natural skin care products in 3 stores and many markets, I’ve grown my dog boarding business and successfully added Targeted Goat Grazing to my lineup. I’m ever so grateful for the support and encouragement of my village of people in building my business and the Naturally Balanced Farms brand as well as building up my family in doing so. As a widowed mom for a small child it hasn’t been easy but my support team is incredible. Yes I say widowed because we spent nearly 7 years together. Anyway now almost 3 years later after adding the goat grazing to the mix we are excited to be partnering with our local city parks department for a pilot project by grazing the city of Alamogordo NM drainage ways starting mid October 2025! It’s a 7 week project with potential for continuing work and partnership in the future. This is a huge opportunity for my little farm, my family and the community as a whole!

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I come from a family of hardworking people but my parents and especially my mom taught me how to never give up. She always told me that your word and your name is the biggest thing of power that you have and by having a strong work ethic and keeping your word you hold all the power you need. She has shown me strength, determination and resilience in the face of many challenges.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There’s been many times in my life and business I almost gave up, I’ve taken some pretty big hits in my life and as an entrepreneur it always hit my business too, but the biggest hits always came with bigger comebacks if I was just patient and just kept going. The most important thing was to remember to NEVER lose faith and always remember to be resilient. Spread the kindness and love you wish to be shown and eventually it will pour back into you. I promise!

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes I’m the same in public as I am in private. I don’t believe in putting on a fake front and frankly after all I’ve been through especially with in the past few years I don’t have the energy and my filter is broken. I don’t believe that is a bad thing either. I always say take me as I am or walk away.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe that I am absolutely doing what I was born to do. I’ve never been one to listen to the supposed to’s. I’ve tried and every time I move away from my path as a farmHer or work away from home, something major always happens to force me back. It’s when I’m happiest, at home, creating healthy healing products, working the land or out working the animals, My soul comes alive doing the work I do and living this lifestyle.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Anthony Trout
Angella Trout

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