Monica Castator’s 12-Year Journey with Small Farm Innovations
Growing up on horseback in Blooming Grove, Texas, Monica Castator always knew she’d return to the horse life. When she and her Detroit-native husband settled on their 12-acre horse farm along the beautiful Richland Chambers Reservoir lake in the late 90s, Monica was determined to create the perfect home for their future horses.
After building their house, Monica tackled an ambitious project—installing fence posts at a rate of 10 per day after work until their property was properly enclosed. Soon, horses arrived, and with them came the critical need for quality hay.
A Partnership Built on Trust
Monica’s story exemplifies what happens when reliable equipment meets exceptional customer service. From that crucial moment when Phil drove out to save her hay crop to the seamless upgrades over the years, Small Farm Innovations has proven that they’re not just selling equipment—they’re building lasting partnerships with small farm owners.
The 15-Year Struggle
For nearly 15 years, Monica relied on a local contractor to bale her hay. What should have been a straightforward process became an annual source of stress and uncertainty.
“It was always a challenge to get him out to bale,” Monica recalls. The logistics were complicated—bringing a full-size baler and large tractor to handle just 12 acres wasn’t economical for the contractor. Timing became everything, and everything went wrong. Weather windows were missed, hay crops were lost, and Monica watched her carefully tended fields go to waste.
Purchasing hay wasn’t ideal either. Beyond the expense, Monica preferred knowing exactly what her horses were eating—the quality, the source, the care that went into every bale.
The Small Farm Innovations Discovery
When Monica researched purchasing her own baler, reality hit hard. Even used full-size balers were prohibitively expensive and would require a much larger tractor. That’s when she discovered Small Farm Innovations online.
In 2012, Monica made her first purchase—a 3×3 string baler that would transform her hay operation. No more waiting for contractors. No more missed opportunities. No more compromising on hay quality.
When Customer Service Goes Above and Beyond
Every customer relationship faces a test. Monica’s came unexpectedly when a small but critical piece of her string feeder malfunctioned. In her attempt to fix it, she accidentally dropped an essential component somewhere in her hay field.
With cut hay on the ground and time running out, Monica called Phil at Small Farm Innovations. Understanding that losing her crop meant losing her horses’ winter feed, Phil didn’t hesitate. He grabbed the needed part and drove directly to Monica’s property to get her baler operational again.
“Best customer service ever,” Monica says, and that experience cemented her loyalty to SFI for life.
Evolution and Upgrades
Last year, Monica upgraded to SFI’s advanced 3×3 net baler along with a new Agromaster drum cutter. The net baler technology wasn’t available when she made her original purchase in 2012, but the upgrade has delivered even greater efficiency and reliability.
True to form, Phil personally delivered, demonstrated, and set up the equipment at Monica’s property. Her original rake from 2012? Still running strong after more than a decade of reliable service.
The Results Speak for Themselves
Monica’s SFI equipment has been virtually trouble-free for over 12 years. The increased efficiency allows her to:
Control her hay schedule completely- Ensure consistent, high-quality feed for her horses
- Eliminate dependency on unreliable contractors
- Reduce long-term costs significantly
Control her hay schedule completely“The equipment has been trouble-free because it’s well made—it’s not from China,” Monica emphasizes, highlighting the superior build quality that keeps her operation running smoothly year after year.
