Dayla Ulrich: Farmowner, Educator, and Community Builder
- Dayla Ulrich owns Sweet Pea Farm and Orchard in southern Utah.
- The farm hosts community events, promoting agriculture and farm-to-table experiences.
- She also teaches horticulture at Southern Utah University, empowering women in agriculture.
PAROWAN, Iron County — Being a female business owner isn't uncommon for Dayla Ulrich of Parowan, but owning a farm feels a little out of the ordinary.
"It's interesting because so many of our small businesses in town are owned by women, so in Parowan, it actually feels really natural," she shares. "Farming-wise, there's always the occasional comment of, 'How's your garden doing?'"
For the past 12 years, Ulrich has tended Sweet Pea Farm and Orchard, which spans three acres and produces a variety of produce and flowers. Her passion for gardening began during her time as a stay-at-home mom, inspired by her grandmother. As her children grew, she sought further knowledge:
"I went back to college once my kids got into high school. I thought that I'd just get an ag degree because it would make me a better gardener. That was really important to me. I was feeding my family, and I loved the process of growing our food."
She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern Utah University, focusing on sustainable food systems. Initially, she envisioned a career in higher education, but she yearned for hands-on farming experience. So, they purchased a small plot of land, and her farming journey began.
Her startup was humble, and like many first-generation farmers, Ulrich had to learn both land management and sustainability. She sold her produce at local farmers' markets but found the unpredictable nature of sales challenging.
"I love doing farmers' markets, but it was really unpredictable how much you would sell. So, I thought, 'Well, if I'm going to be marketing, I'd rather just have people come out to the farm.'"
About eight years ago, she transitioned to hosting community breakfasts on Saturdays at the end of the season, serving leftover bread and offering produce for sale. This idea blossomed into a thriving farm-to-table business with a certified kitchen, where she and her team prepare meals.
Sweet Pea Farm and Orchard has gained regional recognition, featuring on FarmHER + RanchHER, a platform celebrating women in agriculture. Recently, an episode about Ulrich and her farm aired on RFD-TV, showcasing rural America.
Ulrich is passionate about encouraging women to embrace agriculture and provides a supportive community for them. She says, "There are so many women who are starting small farms and microfarms in their backyards, and it's an awesome community. There's so much support, and everyone's always super willing to give advice."
In addition to her farm and teaching role, Ulrich aims to empower others by providing them with the tools and knowledge to succeed in agriculture.