Sweet Pea Farm & Orchard Owner Details High Desert Agriculture Realities

Dayla Ulrich spent more time on a computer and phone than she anticipated when she began operating Sweet Pea Farm & Orchard in Parowan, Utah. The unexpected increase in screen time has become the most surprising aspect of her transition from a home gardener to a small-scale agricultural business owner.

Ulrich, who appears in the Season 8 premiere of the program FarmHER + RanchHER, discussed her career path in an interview with RFD-TV’s Market Day Report. She also participated in a recent episode of the Dirt Diaries podcast, where she spoke with host Kirbe Schnoor about the specific demands of farming in the high desert.

Her interest in agriculture began with a personal passion for gardening. After her children grew older, she enrolled in university to pursue an agricultural degree. She completed a master’s program and gained additional experience in food production before deciding to launch her own venture.

Ulrich and her family purchased three acres of land. They initially focused on growing vegetables, flowers, and other crops. As the operation developed, they expanded into agritourism. Farm-to-table breakfasts and dinners now constitute a major component of the business model.

“We’ve just been growing food and vegetables, flowers, all the things,” Ulrich said. “And slowly, as time went on, we transitioned to a lot more agritourism.”

She identified the farm-to-table events as one of the most enjoyable parts of the operation. The dinners allow the family to interact directly with the community while showcasing the produce they grow on the three acres.

The conversation with Schnoor on Dirt Diaries covered both the successes and the difficulties of running a farm. Ulrich noted that the host asked challenging questions that prompted her to share deeper insights into her work.

“She asks some hard questions, some questions I had a hard time answering,” Ulrich said. “But she made it really, really fun and super easy and comfortable.”

Ulrich stated that the podcast provides listeners with an opportunity to understand the experiences of farmers and ranchers. She believes that honest discussions about the realities of the industry help people relate to the work involved in producing food.

The shift from physical labor to digital management remains a point of surprise for Ulrich. She had expected to spend the majority of her day outdoors, as working in the dirt is her favorite part of the job. The administrative requirements of the business have required her to adapt her daily routine.

“That was probably the biggest shock for me,” she said. “It was obviously not what I was picturing because my favorite place to be is in the dirt.”

Ulrich said that farming has taught her that she cannot control every situation or challenge that arises. She acknowledged that while she chooses how to respond to events, she does not choose the situations themselves. Each growing season presents different conditions, and she finds that expecting challenges makes them easier to manage. She and her family continue to enjoy the work at Sweet Pea Farm & Orchard despite the physical demands and irregular hours.