Question & Answer with Hannah & Daniel of Ballerina Farm: Some Days Are Farm Days and Some Days Are Glam ✨
Nestled in the heart of Utah, Ballerina Farm is a picturesque blend of rugged farm life and graceful beauty. Hannah and Daniel Neeleman, the husband-and-wife team behind this beloved farmstead, have captured the hearts of thousands with their unique lifestyle, blending homesteading and glamor. On some days, you’ll find them knee-deep in farm chores, while on others, Hannah’s ballerina roots shine through in her elegant, polished style. We sat down with them to chat about balancing the duality of farm life and occasional glamour, how they make it work, and their passions for family, farming, and fashion.
Q: Hannah, you have such a diverse background, from your days as a ballerina to now running a farm. How did this transition happen, and how do you balance the two seemingly different worlds?
Hannah: Honestly, it has been an incredible journey. I’ve always loved the idea of farm life, even while dancing professionally. Daniel and I both dreamed of a life where we could raise our children connected to the land, where we could grow our food and live simply. So, we took the leap and moved to Utah to start Ballerina Farm. The transition was more natural than I expected, and I think ballet actually prepared me well for farming. Both require discipline, patience, and hard work.
As for the balance, I love that I can embrace both sides of myself. Some days, I’m in my overalls and boots, mucking stalls and milking cows. Other days, I feel like dressing up and doing something glamorous. It’s about embracing the full spectrum of who I am—and I think a lot of people resonate with that duality.
Q: Daniel, how does your background complement the farm lifestyle? You’ve had a diverse career yourself.
Daniel: My career started in aviation, which is obviously very different from farming, but I’ve always been entrepreneurial at heart. I love the challenge of building something from the ground up, and farming, in many ways, is like that. It requires long-term planning, nurturing, and constant attention to detail—much like growing a business. Plus, there’s something deeply fulfilling about providing for your family through the land, something that feels very primal and purposeful.
Q: Running a farm is demanding. How do you manage to keep the farm running smoothly while also raising a large family?
Hannah: It’s definitely a juggling act, but we involve the kids in everything we do. They help with chores, whether it’s collecting eggs, feeding the animals, or helping in the garden. It’s important to us that they learn responsibility and the value of hard work from a young age. That said, we have to be flexible. Some days don’t go as planned, and that’s okay. We take it one day at a time.
Daniel: Having routines is key. The animals have to be fed at certain times, and crops need attention, but we’ve learned to work together as a family to get things done. Farming teaches resilience, and it’s something we want our kids to grow up understanding—that life can be unpredictable, but you adjust and keep going.
Q: Hannah, you often post about your “glam” days, when you step away from the farm and tap into your ballerina background. How important is it for you to maintain that connection to your past?
Hannah: It’s very important! Being a ballerina was such a huge part of my identity, and I never want to lose that. Just because I’m a farmer now doesn’t mean I have to let go of my love for beauty and elegance. I think there’s a misconception that farming and femininity can’t coexist, but they absolutely can. There are days when I feel like dressing up, and I do it! Sometimes I’ll wear a beautiful dress to pick flowers in the field or do my makeup for a photoshoot on the farm. It’s about honoring all parts of myself. I think it’s healthy to embrace the contrast—after all, some days are farm days, and some days are glam days.
Q: What are some of your favorite farm tasks, and what do you find most challenging?
Hannah: I love working in the garden. There’s something therapeutic about planting and harvesting, watching the fruits of your labor grow season after season. I also enjoy making food for my family from scratch—it’s a way to connect with the land and nurture my loved ones. The most challenging part? Probably the unpredictability of animals! You can have a routine, but animals have minds of their own.
Daniel: For me, I enjoy working with the livestock, especially our pigs and cows. It’s hard work, but rewarding. The most challenging thing is definitely the constant upkeep of the land and equipment. There’s always something that needs fixing or tending to, and that can be overwhelming at times.
Q: What advice would you give to people who want to embrace a more farm-centered lifestyle but still want to keep their personal style and passions alive?
Hannah: I’d say don’t feel like you have to choose one or the other! You can be a farmer and still love fashion or dance or whatever your passions are. Life doesn’t have to be either-or. Find ways to incorporate all parts of yourself into your daily life. It’s okay to embrace both the messy and the beautiful parts of life.
Daniel: I agree. Start small, but start. Even if it’s just a garden or a few chickens, the experience of connecting with the land is incredibly rewarding. And don’t forget to make time for the things that bring you joy outside of farming, whether it’s a hobby or spending time with family. Balance is key.
Hannah and Daniel are living proof that you can lead a multifaceted life, embracing both the grit of farm work and the elegance of glamor. Whether tending to animals or dressing up for a family photoshoot, they show that life can be an extraordinary blend of hard work, beauty, and fun.