Finding Your Path Again – Brittany Thurlow on Letting Go, Mini Donkeys & Life After the Dairy

Welcome to The Dairy Hour Podcast, where rural charm meets personal growth! Join us as we milk every moment for wisdom, self-improvement, and mental wellness. Farming is often more than just hard work—it’s a journey of resilience, personal growth, and constant challenges. This week on The Dairy Hour Podcast, Val Lavigne (@DairyGalVal) sits down with Brittany Thurlow to talk about Life after the dairy, Letting Go, Mini Donkeys & Finding Your Path Again.

I’m your host, Val Lavigne, a rural dairy farming mom with a passion for filling hearts while never forgetting to fill my own cup. Get ready for insightful conversations, empowering tips, and a splash of fun and laughs, of course!

Posted on 04 Jun 2025 · 46 minutes

Watch Dairy Gal Val talk about Life after the Dairy, Letting Go, Mini Donkeys & Finding Your Path Again with Brittany Thurlow

Life After the Dairy: Brittany Thurlow on Letting Go, Mini Donkeys & Finding Your Path Again
 Hosted by Val Lavigne | The Dairy Hour Podcast

Listen now and join the conversation. And don’t forget: this episode wears @4DAgFashion for great farm wear and runs on @WonderCowColostrum. Use code DAIRYGALVAL to save!

This week on The Dairy Hour, host Val Lavigne (@DairyGalVal) welcomes back the very first guest of the podcast—Brittany Nickerson Thurlow (@Mrs_T.Low)—for a full-circle conversation on Letting Go, Mini Donkeys & Finding Your Path Again that will leave you laughing, reflecting, and maybe even Googling mini donkeys.

After years of dedication to her family’s Florida dairy farm, Brittany shares the emotional journey of stepping away from milking cows. From navigating hurricanes to enduring the ups and downs of the industry, the Thurlow family made the tough decision to sell their herd and transfer the farm to a new owner from Indiana, who continues the dairy legacy they built. But Brittany’s story doesn’t end there—it takes a delightful and unexpected turn.

Enter the mini donkeys.

What started as a Craigslist find turned into a side hustle and new source of joy. With over 20 miniature donkeys (including the unforgettable bottle baby, Millie), Brittany found herself going viral online and reconnecting with her love for animals in a totally different way. Through the donkeys’ antics, Brittany is not just entertaining the internet—she’s building a business and a life that aligns with her evolving passions.

This episode dives deep into what it means to pivot, to let go of an identity rooted in tradition, and to find purpose beyond what you once thought was your forever. From raising kids to advocating on ag boards, Brittany is candid about burnout, balance, and building something beautiful from the ashes of change.

 Key Topics Covered:

• Transitioning out of dairy farming and redefining success
• Mini donkeys, viral videos, and unexpected entrepreneurship
• The power of perspective and humor in hard times
• Mental health, motherhood, and making space for grace
• The Churchill quote that gets Brittany through the rough patches: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”

 LISTEN NOW – Whether you’re knee-deep in chores or wondering what’s next for you, this episode is a reminder that change isn’t the end—it’s just a new chapter.

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 This episode wears @4D Ag Fashion — shop now and enjoy free shipping for the month of June!

 This episode runs on @WonderCowColostrum — use code DAIRYGALVAL to save $$ on colostrum for calves and wellness support!

Explore more from Val at www.dairygalval.com