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Former ballerina Hannah Neeleman left her home in Springville, Utah at eighteen to practice pointe at New York City’s prestigious Juilliard school (...ever heard of it?). Her trajectory took a turn when, right before graduating, she and her husband had their first son (of eight kids) and moved to Brazil for his work. There, they became deeply inspired by the community’s commitment to agriculture, connection to food, and the all-around slower life.
They returned to the States with even more kids in tow, plus a new calling; to grow food themselves and create work that felt connected to the land. This mission eventually became “Ballerina Farm,” which now has 10.4 million followers who watch Neeleman’s every sourdough knead, salad toss, and foray into rhubarb tart-making – with occasional help from her apron-clad daughters.
And while there is plenty of online controversy about the regressive “Trad Wife” role in 2025, Neeleman does not fit the “oppressed, barefoot-in-the-kitchen” stereotype. In fact, what started with just a few pigs and some meals-made-from-scratch has blossomed into a working farm and dairy, multiple storefronts, a line of products (the company also sells everything to subscription produce boxes, handmade croissants, and beef jerky that is currently sold out). Neeleman serves as CEO and of course, perennial online farm-girl muse.
We like
- Zero chalky texture
- Four delicious flavors
- Clean ingredients
- Added colostrum for gut health
- Tested for heavy metals
We don't like
- Pricey
The Ballerina Farm Food Philosophy
Neeleman says she believes in food that’s close to the source. Once she started growing and raising their own food, she wanted to do the ingredients justice. She champions unprocessed ingredients like flour and thoughtfully raised meat, citing the simple bread-and-butter combo as one of her favorites. The couple recently went to Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland for a three month long cooking course to get more food credibility.
What Makes Farmer Protein Powder Unique?
Farmer Protein stands out from the rest for a few reasons; it’s blendability (no gooey, chalky texture), it’s yummy flavors (Maple Cinnamon has Cinnamon Toast Crunch vibes), and hugely because it’s packed with colostrum, a powerful source of nutrients (Neeleman fell in love with “first milk” ever since they got their first cow, Dandy). Known as the first milk produced post-birth, there is always excess – so the calf gets what it needs before it’s used for human consumption (in the past few years, other companies have popularized colostrum, making it a more mainstream supplement). In a nut shell, Ballerina Farm uses simple, clean ingredients that are also tested for heavy metals, and when Neeleman calls it “lightning caught in a bottle,” I kind of agree.
How to Use Protein Powder
If you’re not the smoothie-swilling type, there are plenty of ways to reap the benefits of protein powder. You can blend it into greek yogurt or chia pudding, and plenty of wellness experts add it to their coffee lattes. Neeleman says that she typically shakes hers up with raw milk – and that’s it. She also says that some days she adds maple syrup to a weck jar, milks her family cow and adds a dash of cinnamon (follow this recommendation only if you have access to your own udders). Looking for ways to get your kids to enjoy it? Try adding a scoop to the Ninja Creami to give your ice cream a healthy boost, she says.
Why is Protein Powder Important?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about the importance of getting enough protein at every meal (the current recommendation is .8 grams per kilograms of body weight). Getting enough protein per meal will not only sustain muscle mass, but helps to regulate blood sugar, preventing glucose spikes and energy crashes throughout the day. The added benefit of colostrum in this powder can support gut health and immune function and contribute to recovery from exercise. Neeleman reminds us that protein powder is not a replacement for real food but can be a helpful tool for busy families who are juggling a hundred things. Plus, it keeps you satiated for longer, which keeps snacking at bay.
Is it Worth It?
Would I recommend that someone purchase this powder? Yes. Yes, I would (and I have). At $60 a bag, it’s certainly a small investment, but one scoop boasts 24 grams of protein (way more than your average seven dollar protein bar), and the taste is on-point (other flavors include chocolate, vanilla and strawberry – the newest). What I love most about it is that it can be a single ingredient snack – just froth it into water (or milk), froth it up, throw in some ice, and you’ll be set until dinner. Or, it can level up your breakfast for a protein-rich start to the day.
