Just over a decade ago, Chris Baggott was a driving force behind one of Indiana’s most successful tech startups. As co-founder of ExactTarget, later acquired by Salesforce, Baggott helped revolutionize digital marketing. But today, you’re more likely to find him walking the pastures of Tyner Pond Farm in Hancock County, where he’s spearheading a different kind of revolution: regenerative agriculture.
“We wanted to do something real, something physical that would positively impact our environment, health and community,” Baggott says. “Philanthropy for us became about action, not just writing checks.”
Founded in 2010, Tyner Pond Farm began with 275 acres of overworked corn and soybean land. Today, they manage nearly 1,000 acres across six farms with a single goal: restoring life to the soil.
Baggott’s pivot from tech entrepreneur to farmer may seem unlikely, but his entrepreneurial spirit has been key to Tyner Pond Farm’s success. “It’s very different from software,” he says. “In tech, you can just scale by spinning up another server. On the farm, we have fixed resources—acres, animals and time. But the mission is the same: creating something that empowers people.”
Inspired by Michael Pollan’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and a TED Talk by ecologist Allan Savory, Baggott became passionate about regenerative agriculture. This method emphasizes restoring soil health through natural processes, such as rotational grazing. In regenerative agriculture, the focus is not just on sustainable practices but on actively improving the health of the land. “Savory’s talk changed how I thought about animals and the land,” Baggott says. “It’s not that animals destroy the earth. It’s how we manage them that matters.”
At Tyner Pond Farm, cattle and chickens aren’t just products but tools for regenerating soil biology. Baggott’s son, Jim, leads daily operations, meticulously planning grazing patterns months in advance. Temporary fencing allows them to move the animals frequently, mimicking natural herd migrations and giving pastures time to rest and regrow.
“The goal isn’t to raise cattle,” Baggott says. “The goal is to build soil. Healthy soil leads to healthy plants, animals and people.”
It’s a system that takes time, often up to seven years, for depleted land to recover, but the results are striking. “Where the soil was once dead, now we see biodiversity: insects, birds, native grasses,” Baggott says. “The land is alive again.”
Tyner Pond Farm sells directly to customers through its website, offering free delivery across Central Indiana. “You don’t need to buy half a cow,” Baggott says. “You can shop like you would at any grocery store, just with better food.”
Transparency is at the heart of the farm’s philosophy. Visitors are welcome at any time, and Baggott often shares photos and updates on social media. “We’re the opposite of industrial agriculture,” he says. “There are no locked gates. No secrecy. You should know where your food comes from.”
Customers visit Tyner Pond Farm sites for various reasons, including environmental concerns, support for local businesses and an interest in nutrition. And yes, many say the meat tastes better. But the biggest surprise is how buying premium meat can actually save money.
“One woman told me her grocery bill went down after switching to us,” Baggott says. “When food is nutrient-dense, you eat less. You’re not snacking constantly because your body is being nourished.”
The idea that food is medicine is becoming more central to Tyner Pond Farm’s message. “We’re focused on nutrient intensity,” Baggott says. “Our animals live longer, eat real grass and are never treated with antibiotics or vaccines. It’s a totally different product than what you find at the store.”
Despite their success, Baggott isn’t interested in endless expansion. “We’re not trying to be the biggest,” Baggott says. “When we sell out, we refer customers to partner farms.” These partnerships are helping other farmers transition from commodity crops to regenerative livestock, using Tyner Pond Farm’s customer base and processing infrastructure as a support system.
“It’s about changing the model,” Baggott says. “We’re proving that small, local and sustainable is viable. And once people experience the difference—whether in taste, health or principle—they don’t go back.”
Baggott sees the rise of direct-to-consumer farming as part of a broader shift comparable to the digital music revolution. “It used to be you got your food from whoever had shelf space. Now, with the internet, people have a choice. Just like Spotify empowered musicians, this empowers farmers.”
Baggott measures success not by sales volume but by its impact on the community and its contributions to ecological healing. “If more people eat locally, eat better and support farms that regenerate the earth, we all win,” he says. This impact on the community includes providing healthier food options, supporting local economies and promoting environmental stewardship. It’s about more than just selling meat; it’s about creating a healthier, more sustainable food system for everyone.
For more information, visit tynerpondfarm.com.
