A Father's Belief

written by

Joe Wanda

posted on

March 7, 2026

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: He believed in me.” - Jim Valvano

I’m often complimented for achieving success in building Wanda Farms.

However, just like Luke Skywalker needed Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Karate kid needed Mr Miyagi.

I also needed a mentor. That man was my father, Tom Wanda.

Last week, February 27th, 2026. My Dad was promoted to be home to be with the Lord.

Today I’d like to share a true story giving tribute to my father for helping us start Wanda Farms. You wouldn't be enjoying that burger or those fresh eggs without this man in my life.

A Father's Belief

11 years ago after a long January winter day working at the dairy farm, I was enjoying my evening reclined in the lazy boy chair reading my favorite dairy farming magazine. Meanwhile finding myself drifting off thinking about that 77 acre farm next door to Dad’s place still for sale.

Just then I hear my phone ring….I grab it to answer.

Caller ID shows Dad.

I quickly answer the call and hear over the radiowaves:

“What’s up Joe Boy!”

Dad and I always had this fun way since I was a kid of saying Joe boy and Dad boy. It didn’t really make much sense, but we had fun and I think it was our way of just saying “You are special” Or “I love you”.

I replied with some small talk

“Not much Dad, just reading an article on 3 best practices to keep your cow’s teats clean”

Well my Dad, very uninterested in dairy cow health, continued to tell me the reason he was calling.

I could tell in his voice, he was excited, but also a little nervous ....

He continued.

”Well I talked to our financial advisor today. We think we could pull the funds needed out of our retirement account to help fund the purchase of the 77 acre farm next door.

Mom and I plan to make an offer this week.

What I need to know is, are you ready to operate this farm Joe?”

Surprised by what I just heard, the farmer joe was ready to jump out of my chair and exclaim “YES!”

But….

The analytical side of my brain knew this property wouldn’t cashflow by itself and not to mention I didn’t want to risk losing my parents' life savings.

You see this wasn’t the 1st time my dad and I talked about a possible rent to buy agreement. Over the course of the last year, I had been seeking out financing from him or a bank. We knew it would require my dad’s assistance to qualify for the purchase.

And my dad was rightly concerned, not just because this was a large amount of his money to invest in me, but this would actually be the 2nd time of him purchasing a farm just for me.

Let me share.

Back when I was 8 years old. I loved farming.

I mean I LOVED it. I’d spend lots of my time and money on purchasing toy tractors and creating these farm displays. Meanwhile helping my parents every moment I could on our hobby farm caring for the animals and especially any tractor driving!

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Of course when any stranger or friend would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up. It was a simple answer:

A FARMER

My dad knew it.

However, time and time again as a young boy I would hear things like:

“Son, farming is too expensive to get into”

“You can’t make a living being a farmer”

“No, No, Its too difficult of a career, stick to your dad’s car business”

However, there was one man in my life that never told me I couldn't be a farmer.

In fact he encouraged it.

That man was my DAD.

So he took it on for himself to see this boy's dream happen.

And when I was 8 years old, my dad decided to invest some of the profits from his auto business into a farm.

He purchased this beautiful 120 acre farm in southwest Wisconsin.

He would say time and time again.

“Someday you can farm this Joey”

Well long story short, by the time I reached 13. My interests were much different.

I was more concerned about how stylish my jeans or hair were, cool cars, or how to get my 1st girlfriend… ;)

My dad recognized at that moment, Joe may actually not be a farmer and the farmland values were good. So he sold the farm and thankfully made some money on his investment just before the real estate crash in 2008.

As time continued on, I got past that weird phase of trying to figure out who I was rather quickly. By age 15 I was talking about farming again and 16 I was working for the neighbors dairy farm milking cows. And the rest was history as my farming career has continued on for 20 years now.

So when my dad asked me at age 24, “Am I ready to commit to purchasing this farm?” This would be his 2nd time buying a farm for me.

…But this time…He was about to retire. And I’m sure he probably had to twist his financial advisor's arm and convince my mom into the decision.

So after giving it a quick thought through my head, the farmer Joe nervously replied to my Dad…

“Let's do it Dad boy!”

And that was the beginning of our now successful farm business, Wanda Farms.

My Dad was an incredible man in so many ways.

However as I reflected just before his passing, there’s one thing that stands out about his character and this story displays it.

He believed in me, my siblings, and others in his life.

I’ve talked to so many others that have also been touched by my Dad’s belief in them.

Belief that God forgave them – While others didn’t want to forgive, my dad would forgive you just as Christ forgave.

Belief that they were enough – While others only saw your weaknesses, he saw your strengths.

Belief that their good could overcome their evil doings – While others would shame you, he made you feel accepted regardless of your shortcomings.

Belief that they could achieve the impossible – While others were nay sayers. My Dad would say “we will find a way”.

My Dad believed in me and he will never be forgotten in encouraging me to pursue my dreams.

I know he was so proud of all the success our farm has achieved today.

He was an incredible father, friend, and mentor. Mentoring me in business, relationships, and also spiritually.

Now that he has passed, I recognize the greatest gift he ever left me was his example of living his life for Christ.

I'm comforted in knowing his testimony of accepting Christ as his savior led him home to be with the Lord for Eternity.

May He rest in peace in Eternal Glory….I love you Dad.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9

If you knew my father or were touched by this story and want to learn about him. He would have been honored for you to watch his funeral.

A warning to all fatty meat lovers

A buttery ribeye infused with rosemary. Or Sunday-morning bacon, maple-kissed and golden-edged. And not without plenty of butter and eggs on the side. All of these are indulgences I love… and that I’m sure you love as well. Even more so because these foods are good for you… Giving your body so much strength and vitality. But you know what… plot twist. All of those people who say fatty steaks and eggs are the villain, and will cause such and such diseases, may actually be RIGHT. Fat is the worst thing you can eat if you’re trying to be healthy—under ONE condition… But before I get into that… Why is it that so many people made the decision to incorporate nutrient-dense meats and eggs (including lots of fat) in their diet? Why Fat Is Essential for Health. Fat is the body's preferred source of fuel (especially when on a low-carb diet). Your body uses it much more efficiently than both carbs and sugar… (no energy crashes or mood swings.) Some vitamins NEED fat for your body to absorb them… like vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are fat-soluble, meaning you literally can’t absorb them without fat present… So even if you’re eating liver (vitamin A) or greens (vitamin K), those nutrients are pretty much USELESS without enough fat to carry them into your cells. The cholesterol in fat is the raw material that produces hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol (responsible for maintaining constant blood pressure and blood glucose levels, and regulating immune function and anti-inflammatory mechanisms) in your body. Low fat = a starving endocrine system… which tanks your mood, libido, and metabolism over time. Every cell in your body has a fatty membrane… and your brain? It’s made up of roughly 60% fat (mostly DHA and other fatty acids). This means not eating fat is basically starving your cells and brain—your operating system. All unnecessary cravings go away because of the way fat satiates your body (it slows digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, and keeps you full)... without it people tend to snack throughout the day, crave and binge carbs, and lose control of knowing when their body is actually hungry. Fat is the key that allows your body to thrive and prosper. (Even if you love to eat veggies!! Because many of the important nutrients in veggies are fat-soluble… meaning your body can’t absorb them without fat present.) So what makes fat so bad? Well firstly, not ALL fat is the same. Some fat may be detrimental to your health. While other fat can heal your body in the most marvelous ways. This is because of one important thing: Toxins are stored in the fat. In fact, some toxins love fat… due to being lipophilic. (Meaning they dissolve in fat.) Although some toxins—like bentazone, glyphosate, imidacloprid, fluoride, and arsenic—are hydrophilic, meaning they dissolve in water (and don’t store in the fat). So just like any packaged snack at the grocery store, low-quality fat may have hidden mystery ingredients… i.e. toxins, inside it. (Remember: not ALL toxins are stored in the fat… but most of the persistent and harmful ones are—especially the ones conventionally-raised livestock are exposed to.) Because, whenever an animal is exposed to harmful substances/toxins… like pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, antibiotics, or mold toxins—whether that’s through the food they eat, or the water they drink, or the air they breathe… Those compounds don’t just vanish into thin air. (Or don’t just turn into a cow-patty lol.) They have to go somewhere. That “somewhere” being the fat of the animal. But really, it’s all by design. Because shoving all those toxins into fat cells keeps them away from vital organs—it’s the body’s version of sweeping junk under the rug. But with one problem: those toxins stay there. So which toxins accumulate in fat (and how’d they get there)? Dioxins and furans (PCDDs/PCDFs) — These are toxic compounds created when industrial waste, plastics, or chemicals are burned… think incinerators, factory emissions, or even backyard trash fires. They don’t break down easily and are known to bioaccumulate in fat—making them one of the most persistent and dangerous pollutants in the food chain. So how do they end up being consumed by livestock? These toxins settle onto grass, soil, and water—which grazing animals like cows eat directly or ingest through contaminated feed (like grain) or hay. Pesticides and herbicides — Banned chemicals like DDT can still be found in soil today (both the soil which livestock may live on and the soil their feed—mainly grains for most—is grown on)… in addition to other modern pesticides—like organophosphates and organochlorines. If an animal was fed feed grown with pesticides, its residues can end up in its fat… and then on your plate, and then in your body. PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) — These man-made chemicals were once used in everything from paints and coolants to glues and electrical equipment. Even though PCBs were banned in 1979, they’re still found in soil, water, and—yep—animal fat. Their ability to stick around for decades means they often show up in conventionally-raised meat, through feed, water, or soil contamination—when ingested, they circulate in the animal’s bloodstream and get stored preferentially in adipose (fat) tissue, especially in fattier animals like pigs. Toxic heavy metals — Some metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, and even aluminum accumulate in fat… and these aren’t just neurotoxic—they disrupt hormones, impair detox pathways, and increase oxidative stress. Chronic exposure (even in small amounts) accumulates over time. Animals ingest them via contaminated soil, water, or feed, especially if raised near urban or industrial zones (for example, lead and cadmium can enter through plants or grains grown in polluted soils). These are the most prominent toxins that end up being in the fat of most conventionally raised animals. And the reason why SOME fat causes many health issues. By “SOME fat” I mean fat from conventionally raised animals (including cattle, pigs, chickens…) which are exposed to these toxins persistently… and NOT fat from animals raised with good practices. (And these toxins don’t ONLY end up in the fat of the meat you consume… they end up in the dairy—like milk, cream, and butter—and egg yolks produced by these animals too… which are made up of fat.) So although short-term you might see results sticking to conventionally raised, grain fed meats and eggs (with toxins accumulated in the fat)—simply because some of the benefits of those meats and eggs are still present… Long-term it is not the solution to feel your very best and be TRULY healthy. Because slowly but surely, those same toxins will accumulate in your body (and in your fat). The Problem with Toxins in Fat. If someone is relatively new to a fat based diet, with lots of meat and eggs, then they may in fact feel good, and think nothing is wrong… but that’s only because the amount of toxins is so small. As time passes, these toxins will slowly accumulate until they cause your body serious harm, which may include: Fatigue, headaches, brain fog, anxiety and depression… Digestive problems, leaky gut, histamine responses, bloating and inflammation… Increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, liver damage, obesity… Hormone imbalance, mast cell overreaction, trouble sleeping, skin conditions… Or more. Simply because these toxins DO NOT belong in your body. (And the animals' bodies, and anywhere to be honest…) This is exactly why WHERE and HOW your food was raised is so important, and why I as a farmer stress food quality so much… Because when you buy food from a farm that PROPERLY raises its animals and takes good care of its land… It makes the difference between you being actually healthy and feeling like your true, abundant self… instead of having loads of unwelcome and unnecessary health issues. This is exactly why Wanda Farms has extensively audited our practices to make sure there is no toxin build-up in the fat of our animals. To ensure you’re eating quality fat, from the best possible source, with NO toxins. That is TRULY the best for your body and soul, and your family’s. How this is possible. (And how regenerative farming solves this problem.) Our regenerative farm is 60+ miles away from any major cities—out in nature, away from toxin-exposure, where the land is pristine and untouched (sounds like a fairy-tale right? lol). One reason why we practice regenerative farming—which includes NEVER ever spraying any glyphosate, pesticides, or herbicides on our soil—is because that preserves the quality of our soil, thus allowing our soil to have a high microbe count. And guess what? The microbes in quality soil actually break down any toxins that may be present in the soil. And our animals only eat the best quality food, and are given NO hormones, NO steroids and especially NO mRNA vaccines… And NONE of our products have junk like nitrates/nitrites, GMOs, additives, fillers, MSG, etc. Our cattle graze our lush pastures, and eat only grass year-round, even in the winter (we make our own hay from our grass to feed in the winter.) Our omnivorous chickens and hens love to “hunt” for beetles, grasshoppers, ants, spiders, worms; and snack on clover, alfalfa, dandelion, and wild plants. Our hogs root around with their snouts for wild plants and grubs like roots, tubers, and bulb; and snack on grasses, clover, herbs, weeds, and the occasional acorns falling from the trees high above. Anything they can find. Why do we do this? Because we want you to feel, be, and look your best, and be the healthiest you possibly can be in a world where it’s hard to find REAL food.

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A Father's Belief

A Father's Belief

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