The Regenaissance Podcast

Exposing How Big Brands Fake "Pasture Raised" Eggs - Patrick Samuels @Sunnyside | #114

The Regenaissance — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Patrick Samuels is the founder of Sunnyside Egg Co., a Kentucky-based regenerative egg operation built on mobile coops and Amish/Mennonite farming partnerships. A former US Army Special Forces officer with no agricultural background, Patrick stumbled into farming through pandemic-era homesteading, worked inside one of the largest pasture-raised egg brands, and launched Sunnyside in December 2024 to scale what he calls the only truly regenerative egg operation in the country.

5 Key Topics

The pasture-raised label scam
Mobile coops as the real standard
Scaling regen without selling out
The corn/soy-free feed debate
Transparency over certification

Timestamps

[00:00] Intro & egg price controversy

[01:30] Patrick's military-to-farming path

[04:00] Inside a "pasture-raised" barn

[07:00] Why certifiers are grifters

[11:00] The Vital Farms breakdown

[18:00] Retail vs. decentralisation debate

[27:00] Corn & soy-free feed complexity

[37:00] Regenerative certification loopholes

[44:00] Sunnyside's growth timeline

[01:01:00] On-farm operations & rotation

Links

Website

Full podcast interview
Follow the tour on YouTube

Struggle Is What Makes Us | Brad Wiley

The Regenaissance — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Brad Wiley's family has farmed the same land since 1790. In this episode on our Farmer Stories series, he share shis wonder at the invisible web beneath his fields - and what it means to carry 200 years of family memory on a single piece of ground.

Farmer Stories pulls the best conversations from The Regenaissance archive - real voices from American farmers on the systems, economics, and communities shaping food and land in the US.

Timestamps

00:00 — The biological web that makes Tesla look simple
01:00 — Locust trees feeding cover crops across an entire field
03:30 — Cover crops and grazing replace the lime truck
05:30 — The moment Brad walked away from $30k in cash rent
07:30 — The manure spreader sinks into dead soybean soil
11:00 — 200 years of family memory on one piece of ground
22:30 — Life is designed to be a struggle

Link to the full episode:
Spotify
Apple
YouTube

Connect with Brad:
Otter Creek Farm

Follow the tour on YouTube

We Need To Copy Oklahoma | Joel Hollingsworth

The Regenaissance — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Joel Hollingsworth runs Smoke River Ranch in northeast Oklahoma. This conversation from our Farmer Stories Series talks about why Joel believes we need to keep manufcaturing in America & why Oklahoma's culture of self-governance is a cultural model the country can build around.

Farmer Stories pulls the best conversations from The Regenaissance archive - real voices from American farmers on the systems, economics, and communities shaping food and land in the US.

Timestamps

0:00 — Why build in America, not abroad
1:30 — The federalist structure and America's creation story
4:00 — Oklahoma's culture of self-governance
6:30 — Regen ag as a churn factory
7:30 — Triffin dilemma and hollowing out of domestic production
9:00 — How crop insurance locks out new farmers
11:00 — Foreign cattle and the 30% currency gap
12:30 — Land as money, not farmland
14:00 — Farm credit weaponized (Dustin Kittle story)
15:30 — Average rancher age 58.5
17:00 — What rural collapse looks like
18:30 — Sovereign debt and centralizing risk

Links:

Full podcast episode:
- YouTube
- Spotify
- Apple

Connect with Joel:
- Smoke River Ranch Website
- X

Touring A USDA-Inspected On-Farm Processing Facility - How Farms Are Treated Differently Based On Size (live Farm Tour) - Gunthorp Farms | #113

The Regenaissance — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:32:31 -0500

Gunthorp Farms is a 3rd generation pork and poultry operation in northern Indiana with on-farm USDA-inspected processing. This tour covers the full farm from farrowing paddocks to kill floor, smokehouse, and wastewater treatment. Watch alongside the full podcast episode for the full story.

Key Topics

Adaptive multi-paddock grazing in practice
50-paddock farrowing system and piglet management
Building and running a USDA-inspected on-farm processing facility
USDA enforcement: how small and large plants are treated differently
Constructed wetland wastewater treatment

What You'll Learn

How paddock size and recovery time shift by season
What to ask when you visit a pig farm
What it costs to build on-farm processing and where permitting breaks down
How HACCP regulation actually gives small plants flexibility if you understand it
Why scale changes food safety risk in ways inspection policy doesn't reflect

Connect w Greg & Gunthorp Farms

Website
X
Instagram
Linkedin

Timestamps

00:00:00 Adaptive multi-paddock grazing explained
00:03:00 Pig health, thermoregulation, and antibiotic-free management
00:05:00 What consumers should ask when visiting a pig farm
00:15:00 Energy-free waterers and farrowing paddock design
00:27:00 Kill floor overview and processing plant history
00:36:00 Permitting, wastewater, and navigating USDA regulation
00:45:00 Food safety: small vs large plant accountability
00:51:00 USDA enforcement disparities and advocacy
01:02:00 Packaging equipment walkthrough
01:13:00 Smokehouse construction and constructed wetland wastewater system

The Maude Family Ranch - Beef, Pork, and 115 Years of Tradition (Live Farm Tour) - Maude Hog & Cattle | #112

The Regenaissance — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Charles and Heather Maude are 5th generation ranchers in South Dakota running a direct-to-consumer beef and pork operation built on land their family has worked for over 115 years.

This tour covers the full operation - cattle, hogs, grain storage, equipment, and the irrigated river bottom at the center of a federal land dispute that drew national attention.

Watch this alongside the full-length podcast episode for the complete story behind what you're seeing on the ground.

Key Topics

Direct-to-consumer beef and pork - how it actually works
Cattle finishing and feeder calf production
Farrowing crates - the honest case for and against
Why feed quality determines meat quality in hogs
Grain storage, forage systems, and matching stocking rate to grass
The disputed river bottom and the federal land dispute

What You'll Learn

How a small ranch runs multiple livestock enterprises on limited acres
Why weaning date is a range management decision, not just an animal one
What farrowing crates are actually for and why a skeptic changed her mind
How monogastric and ruminant digestion produce fundamentally different meat
What 115 years of private land management looks like - and what happens when it's challenged
Why boundary disputes in the rural West are common, and criminal indictments are not

Connect with Charles & Heather

Website
Instagram
Facebook

Timestamps

00:00:00 — Introduction and context
00:02:00 — Cattle paddock: finished beef and this year's steer calves
00:04:00 — Weaning early — a drought and range management decision
00:06:00 — Grain bins: what they store and how they work
00:08:00 — Farrowing facility: why the crates exist
00:13:00 — Hog nutrition: simple stomach vs. ruminant digestion
00:15:00 — Pasture-raised pork: why quality and finish time differ
00:18:00 — Legacy equipment: grandfather's tractors and the 1948 truck
00:24:00 — The fence line: terrain, flooding, and where fences actually go
00:25:00 — The Forest Service dispute begins
00:27:00 — No written violation, no due process, criminal charges
00:28:00 — Working toward resolution: the Small Tracks Act
00:30:00 — Secretary Rollins, the temporary use agreement, and what changed
00:33:00 — The survey stakes, the crop damage, and the escalation
00:37:00 — What the land trade proposal was and why it was rejected
00:39:00 — What this case means for ranchers and private landowners
00:41:00 — Final reflections

Zombie Apocalypse Cows and the Future of American Ranching (Live Farm Tour) - Smoke River Ranch | #111

The Regenaissance — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Joel Hollingsowrth has spent years doing something most people wouldn't dare try - building a regenerative cattle ranch from scratch, with no money, no inherited land, and no roadmap. And yet, it has become one of the pioneering regenerative farms in the nation.

Joel is joined by David, who left an Ivy League PhD program to ranch in rural Mexico before landing here, and Daniel, the herd manager responsible for translating Joel's system into daily practice.

Together they walk us through mob grazing at extreme stocking densities, a heritage genetics breeding program built for a world without antibiotics, virtual fencing technology, and a community ownership model designed to solve the financing problem that stops most regenerative farmers before they start.

This is a conversation about what it really takes (the stubbornness, the financial creativity, the ecological thinking, and the human community) to build something lasting and that works.

KEY TOPICS

Ultra-high-density mob grazing and how it mimics bison impact to restore soil and seed banks
Heritage breed genetics (Piney Woods, composite bulls) and building "zombie apocalypse" cattle
Virtual fencing technology and its potential to transform daily ranch labour
The herd share financial model and how community capital makes regenerative ranching viable
Reviving rural community through food sovereignty, nutrient density, and local economic energy

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Why stocking density, not just rotation, is the key lever in regenerative grazing
How cows' hooves act as seed planters and why "weeds" like thistles are actually healing the soil
What rumen fill and manure consistency tell a herd manager about animal health and forage quality
Why cattle genetics matter as much as grazing method, and what "adapting to the system" looks like
How Joel financed his ranch with no money down, and why the herd share model is a blueprint others could follow

CONNECT WITH JOEL

Smoke River Ranch Website
X

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to Oklahoma: Joel, David & the Smoke River story

08:00 – What's broken in rural America and what Smoke River is rebuilding

12:00 – Fresh Rx Oklahoma: food as medicine and local supply chains

15:00 – How Joel got started: a $1/year lease, no capital, and a Twitter DM

19:00 – Virtual fencing: digital paddocks and 60 hours of saved labour per week

21:00 – Heritage breeds: Piney Woods cows, composite bulls, and the genetics program

25:00 – Mob grazing explained: why five moves a day and what stocking density actually means

31:00 – Herd management with Daniel: rumen fill, manure scoring, and daily cattle metrics

36:00 – Sick cow protocols and building a self-selecting genetics program

45:00 – Weeds as healers: thistles, pioneer species, and soil succession

Building a Regenerative Ranch Around Bison (Live Farm Tour) - TLC Ranch | #110

The Regenaissance — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Fascinating episode, touring a regenerative bison and pecan farm! A first for me.

A bit about the ranch & tour...

TLC ranch is located in Souther Oklahoma. It's ran by Cindy Sheffield (who tours us today) and her husband Tread and their two daughters and husbands, where they raise bison and manage a large organic pecan orchard. The ranch began in 1997 when the family purchased land that many others had passed on, seeing potential where others did not.

What started as weekend trips for hunting and time outdoors gradually turned into a long-term commitment to steward the land. Over the years the family developed ponds, trails, and eventually planted thousands of pecan trees, which are now grown using organic and regenerative practices.

More recently they fulfilled a long-standing goal of bringing bison back to the property. Today the ranch combines pecan production with bison grazing, reflecting the family’s focus on building a working farm that supports both the land and the people who depend on it.

What we cover:

Starting a bison ranch after decades of owning land
Managing parasites and animal health on pasture
Rotational grazing and integrating chickens behind bison
The economics and risks of pecan farming
Floods, disease, and the unpredictable realities of agriculture

Connect with the farm:
Website
Facebook
Instagram

Regenaissance Youtube Channel

Timestamps:
00:00:00 Regulations and differences between bison and cattle
00:02:20 How TLC Ranch began and why the family chose bison
00:03:40 Flooding, parasites, and losing animals in the herd
00:05:00 Transitioning to rotational grazing for parasite control
00:06:30 Plans to integrate meat chickens behind the bison
00:08:00 How bison grazing behavior differs from cattle
00:12:50 Handling bison and working animals through the chute system
00:17:00 Field harvesting a bison and the reality of on-farm slaughter
00:19:30 The challenge of finding truly clean food and produce
00:24:00 Managing a pecan orchard and harvesting the crop
00:27:00 Weather risks, floods, and the economics of farming
00:29:00 Why consumers need to understand the realities farmers face

Does Being Organic Matter? (Live Farm Tour) - Cable Family Farm | #109

The Regenaissance — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0600

Caden and Patrick run Cable Family Farm in Piedmont, North Carolina, where they manage a small 80 bed no-till market garden along with pasture-raised eggs and chickens. Caden started the farm at 18, and then a few years later was able to convince Patrick to join him.

Their main concern starting the farm was how would they make money? This tour shows how they produce their crops and animals in a healthy, sustainable way, along with their marketing and production approach to creating a viable small-scale farm production.

It was fascinating and productive to hear from these young farmers how they approach farming, why their not organic, the systems they run to stay viable and efficient, and understanding why they chose this career path over everything else (hint, farming food can be incredibly meaningful).

Key Topics

Building an 80 bed no-till market garden from grass
Tools and systems for small-scale vegetable farming
Pasture-raised eggs and chickens
Organic practices without certification
Economics and tradeoffs on small farms

Connect with Caden & Patrick:

Instagram
Youtube
Other links

Timestamps

00:00:00 Introduction to Cable Family Farm
00:01:00 Building a no-till market garden
00:06:00 Broadforking and minimal soil disturbance
00:10:00 Weather risks and crop failures
00:14:00 Time and cost of starting a garden
00:19:00 Organic practices vs certification
00:23:00 Simple greenhouse and seed starting
00:27:00 Egg layers and rotational grazing
00:32:00 Raising pasture-raised chickens
00:35:00 Why chickens are healthier on pasture

Developing Outdoor Pig Genetics, Regenerating Grass Through Nitrogen Cycling, & Natural Parasite Control (Live Farm Tour) - Rehoboth Farms | #108

The Regenaissance — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0600

About Rehoboth & Josh & Jessica:
This was a really fun tour. The farm has an interesting backstory. It was initially just a backyard chicken hobbyist farm, and then after feeding themselves and friends, they saw the health impact and the localized food impact - then began trading meat for land access.

Josh spent years during 2015-18 waiting for the right property top open up, with multiple failed attempts, before securing the current farm in 2018.

They launched full-time in 2019, saw rapid growth during 2020 with that demand spike, and then developed the farm into what it is today, a regenerative grazing operation and direct-to-consumer product platform.

Neither Joss or Jessica grew up farming, but health concerns, lack of localized food option and expense of quality food triggered their shift to farming.

They have a faith-driven vision for the farm, and “Rehoboth” means “God made room”.

Jessica leads customer engagement, and Josh leads the systems and operations on the farm.

You can connect to Josh and Jessica via the links below:

Key topics & Timestamps:
00:00:00 Tractor use and cutting pasture for regrowth
00:01:00 Turkey shipping losses and hatchery challenges
00:03:00 Why turkey poults are fragile in the brooder
00:04:00 Thanksgiving turkey pickup on farm
00:05:00 Broiler setup and water system improvements
00:08:30 Compost piles and feeding pumpkins to livestock
00:10:30 Rotating pigs and natural mineral foraging
00:14:00 Outdoor pig genetics vs confinement genetics
00:22:00 Moving broilers to build soil nitrogen
00:24:00 Multi-species grazing and parasite management

Direct-To-Consumer Raw Milk, Soil Temperature & Biology, Grass Recovery, Grazing Management, & Species Diversity (Live Farm Tour) - Triple E Farms | #107

The Regenaissance — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0600

Our farm tour of Tony Eash's pasture raised pork, chicken and beef farm.

Tony grew up farming alongside his brother Phil in West Virginia, learning animal care and haymaking at a young age. After the sudden loss of their father, the brothers leaned on their Mennonite community for support and chose to continue farming. Tony tours us through his farm, his way of life, and you're able to see how much he cares about farming, the land and animals, and the importance of delivering quality food to consumers.

He's had a few battles with the government to get us his great food! All is shared in the farm tour. Enjoy.

Link to our full podcast episode with Tony as well:
Spotify
Apple

Key Topics

Direct-to-consumer raw milk and nationwide shipping
Soil temperature, grass recovery, and grazing management
Farm economics, burnout, and scaling sustainably
Regulation, labeling, and transparency challenges
Genetics, pasture diversity, and animal health decisions

What You’ll Learn

Why covered soil stays cooler and supports biology
The difference between grass recovery and true rest
How raw milk is tested, bottled, and shipped
Why many dairies fail despite high production
How farmers adapt systems to survive long-term

Connect with Triple E

Website
Instagram

Follow the tour on YouTube

Timestamps

00:00 — Why direct-to-consumer food systems matter
06:40 — Shipping meat and milk across the U.S.
14:30 — Raw milk testing, bottling, and sanitation
23:10 — Regulation, labeling, and legal pressure
31:40 — Dairy economics and why production fails farmers
41:20 — Genetics, grass-fed transitions, and herd losses
50:30 — Soil temperature, grazing height, and cooling livestock
54:10 — Rest vs recovery and pasture decision-making

Vermont 4th Gen Maple Farm: Syrup Quality, Tree-tapping, Forest Management, & Vermont's Unique History (Live Farm Tour) - Baird Farm | #106

The Regenaissance — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:20:49 -0600

This one was fun. Jacob and Jenna tour us through Baird Farm, a fourth-generation Vermont maple farm operating since 1918. They walk me through the sugarbush, tubing systems, and sugarhouse, and how its all made/stored/sold and its history. Fascinating stuff - hope you get something out of it.

Key Topics

Modern maple syrup production vs traditional bucket methods
The maple sugaring season and weather dependence
Real maple syrup vs imitation and blended products
Forest management, biodiversity, and tree health
Generational farming and maintaining a family-run operation

What You’ll Learn

Why maple syrup is produced in a short late-winter window, not year-round
How modern maple syrup is collected using tubing and vacuum systems
What tapping a maple tree involves and how trees are protected long-term
How much sap is required to make real maple syrup
Why Vermont consistently produces some of the highest maple yields

Connect with Jason & Baird Farm:

Connect with Regenaissance:

Website & Merch
Instagram
X
Substack (Ag News & History)

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Introduction and farm history
00:04:40 – Buckets vs modern maple tubing systems
00:07:10 – What maple syrup actually is (and isn’t)
00:12:00 – How maple tubing and vacuum systems work
00:16:40 – Tapping trees and protecting long-term tree health
00:22:00 – The maple syrup production window and season length
00:25:10 – Why Vermont dominates U.S. maple production
00:31:00 – Forest management, biodiversity, and resilience
00:38:20 – Labor, infrastructure, and modern maple realities
00:45:30 – Generational farming and transitioning the farm forward

How Ranches Stay Profitable Without Compromising Animal Welfare (Live Farm Tour) - Wrich Ranches | #105

The Regenaissance — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:26:36 -0600

A walk-through tour of Wrick Ranches in western Colorado with rancher Jason Wrick, covering calf weaning, water systems, drought realities, regenerative grazing decisions, and how a working ranch stays financially viable through direct-to-consumer beef, on-farm retail, and diversified income streams.

Key Topics

Calf weaning and animal welfare in real ranching conditions
Water rights, irrigation, and farming during long-term drought
Hay reserves, soil fertility, and nutrient cycling through cattle
Regenerative grazing within economic and regional constraints
Direct-to-consumer beef and building resilient rural businesses

What You’ll Learn

Why calves must be weaned and how it’s managed responsibly
How irrigation systems actually work on a western cattle ranch
What drought means in practice for hay, water, and stocking rates
How regenerative grazing must adapt to local climate and economics
Why direct consumer support is critical for small ranch survival

Connect with Jason:

Website
Instagram

Check out the farm tour episode on our YouTube

Timestamps

00:00:00 Introduction to Rick Ranches and the ranch tour
00:01:45 Calf weaning and animal welfare misconceptions
00:07:45 Irrigation systems and on-farm water infrastructure
00:12:30 Colorado water rights and drought realities
00:14:45 Hay management and nutrient cycling strategy
00:18:15 Regenerative agriculture and regional context
00:21:30 Consumer support and direct-to-consumer beef
00:31:00 Farm store, trust-based sales, and community
00:38:30 Weddings, rentals, and diversified ranch income
00:41:00 Grazing management and closing reflections

How a Fence Line Dispute Almost Tore a Family Apart - Charles & Heather Maude | #104

The Regenaissance — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0600

Charles and Heather Maude are fifth-generation ranchers in South Dakota who farm home raised beef and pork direct-to-consumer. In this episode they describe their family history on the land, their early lives in agriculture, and the events that led to a criminal indictment by the United States Forest Service over a disputed boundary fence.

The episode documents their personal background, the mechanics of Western land use, and a detailed account of how a civil land issue escalated into a federal criminal case.

Key Topics

Federal criminal indictment over a land dispute
How the case escalated from civil to criminal
Legal strategy and case dismissal
Impact on family, finances, and rights
Precedent for ranchers and landowners

What You'll Learn

How a ranching family faced and beat a federal criminal indictment
How a routine land boundary issue escalated into criminal charges
How federal land enforcement works in practice for ranchers
The personal, financial, and legal costs of a criminal case
Why this case matters for landowners and producers

Connect with Charles & Heather

Website
Instagram
Facebook

Timestamps

00:00:00 Why this story matters
00:03:00 Heather’s ranch upbringing
00:09:00 Charles’s family land history
00:15:00 Growing up ranching
00:24:00 Marriage and the Atlas Blizzard
00:33:00 Ranch community and shared labor
00:35:00 Forest Service fence dispute begins
00:41:00 Meetings with federal officials
00:52:00 Civil dispute turns criminal
01:05:00 Impact of the indictment
01:22:00 Washington D.C. and case dismissal
01:27:00 Media and political pressure
01:34:00 Precedent for landowners
01:50:00 Land stewardship and politics
02:08:00 Final reflections

Inside a 1,200-Acre Regenerative Operation (Live Farm Tour) - Rucker Farm | #103

The Regenaissance — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0600

In this episode, we tour through Rucker Farm with Garrett Heydt to see how a large, leased regenerative operation actually works; covering hay, turkeys, water systems, minerals, and grazing decisions that shape animal health and land outcomes over time.

Key Topics

Rotational grazing on large, leased properties
Pasture-based turkey production and management
Water infrastructure, exclusion fencing, and environmental impact
Hay economics vs standing winter forage
Regeneration as a long-term land ethic

Why You Should Listen

Clear explanation of rotational grazing at scale (30+ paddocks, leased land)
Practical breakdown of hay vs standing forage economics
Rare detail on pasture-raised turkey management and behavior
Insight into water systems, mineral strategy, and soil-and-water funding
A grounded philosophy of regeneration over sustainability

Connect with Rucker Farm

Website
Come Stay At Otter Creek...
Instagram

Follow the tour on YouTube

Timestamps

00:00 Hay production and second cutting
02:00 Pasture-raised turkeys and grazing behavior
05:00 Predators, electric netting, and night radio strategy
06:30 Raising turkeys: brooders, socialization, survivability
07:45 Turkey processing timelines and sizing
12:00 Mobile brooders and farming on leased land
16:30 Cattle water systems and exclusion fencing
23:00 Minerals, salt, and late-pregnancy cow health
29:30 Hay costs vs grazing saved forage
37:30 Regeneration vs sustainability and rebuilding soil
48:00 Leaving the city and choosing farm life

Soil-Health Principles And Adaptive Stewardship In Practice (Live Farm Tour) - Otter Creek Farm | #102

The Regenaissance — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0600

Otter Creek Farm is located in upstate New York. First-generation farmer Elizabeth Collins walks through how herself and 5th generation farmer Brad Wiley rebuilt a former conventional dairy into a small, regenerative, animal-welfare-driven operation.

The conversation moves from soil-health principles and rotational grazing to the practical realities of feed decisions, omega-3/6 tradeoffs, infrastructure design, and why consumer responsibility is central to fixing the food system.

Key topics

Soil-health principles and adaptive stewardship in practice
Pig rotation systems, wallows, and regeneration timelines
Pastured poultry design, predator pressure, and welfare tradeoffs
Feed sourcing, omega-3/6 ratios, and testing meat quality
Consumer power, decentralization, and reconnecting with farmers

Why listen

See how soil-health principles translate into daily, on-farm decisions
Learn how pigs, chickens, and cows are rotated to regenerate land without scale
Understand the real cost and nutritional tradeoffs of grain, minerals, and feed sourcing
Hear why labels fail—and what questions consumers should actually ask
Get an honest look at mistakes, losses, and learning in regenerative farming

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Otter Creek Farm overview
00:04:30 – Animal welfare over scale
00:08:30 – Rotational pigs and regeneration
00:14:00 – Feed choices and omega-6s
00:18:10 – Meat testing results
00:22:40 – Limits of food labels
00:27:30 – Farm stays and education
00:33:40 – Mobile chickens and predators
00:40:10 – Breeding and epigenetics
00:46:30 – Farming mistakes and learning

Touring a Modern Regenerative Farm & It's Multi-Species Infrastructure (Live Farm Tour) - J&L Green Farm | #101

The Regenaissance — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0600

This live farm tour back in August 2025 was at J&L Green Farm in Virginia, where Jordan Green walks us through the operational heart of the farm. From on-farm poultry processing and cold storage to multi-species shelter design and silvopasture development, the conversation is delves into why certain farming infrastructures and layouts exist, how animals are rotated, on-farm problems with certain infrastructure, and how design iterations have helped him reduce labor, improved animal welfare, and increased land productivity.

Key Topics

On-farm poultry processing layout and cold-chain control
Multi-species shelter systems and labor efficiency
Pasture poultry genetics, heat stress, and shelter design
Multi-species grazing: pigs, cattle, poultry, and soil health
Silvopasture development and long-term land productivity

Why You Should Listen

Hear how a regenerative farm works in practice.
Learn how J&L Green Farm designs systems to reduce labor and scale.
Understand real-world multi-species grazing.
Hear lessons learned through trial and error.
Gain a clear view of resilient land management.

Julie Instagram
Wildom Farm Instagram
Website

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Arrival at J&L Green Farm and overview of the hub property
00:09:30 – Poultry processing setup, layout logic, and food safety flow
00:18:45 – Ice, chill-down, freezer capacity, and cold storage strategy
00:28:15 – Farm store setup, permits, and limited-hours retail model
00:37:45 – Customer ordering, fulfillment, shipping, and efficiency tradeoffs
00:47:00 – Brooder containers, chick cycles, and feed formulation
00:56:30 – Poultry genetics, growth rates, and pasture vs conventional models
01:06:00 – Mobile multi-species shelter system design and iteration process
01:15:30 – Heat management, airflow, labor efficiency, and daily moves
01:25:00 – Grazing rotation with poultry, cattle, and pigs on shared ground
01:34:30 – Silvopasture development, pigs as land-management tools
01:44:00 – Soil health outcomes, resilience, mistakes learned, and long-term vision

Inside a High-Elevation Colorado Pinot Noir Vineyard (Live Farm Tour) – Peony Lane Wine | #100

The Regenaissance — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0600

Ben Justman takes me inside Peony Lane Wine in Paonia, Colorado for a live farm tour of one of America’s highest-elevation vineyard regions.

He educates me on how grapes are grown, how vines survive harsh winters, how low-intervention wine is made, and why true place-based winemaking creates a totally different drinking experience.

It’s interesting to see how he constantly adapts to the seasons, soil, weather, and other farming variables to keep the operation productive and high quality.

Key Topics

High-elevation Colorado vineyard conditions
How Pinot Noir grows in the West Elks AVA
Traditional vs modern wine pressing
Neutral oak philosophy & fermentation choices
Freeze events, die-back, retraining, & resilience
Water, irrigation strategy, and soil connection

What You’ll Hear in This Farm Tour

Vineyard walkthrough and climate explanation
Old basket press vs modern bladder press demonstration
Stainless tanks, oak barrels, and aging philosophy
Vine die-back, retraining, and freeze recovery
How irrigation, soil depth, and vineyard management shape flavor
Honest discussion of additives, hangovers, and “natural” wine
Why Colorado wine deserves far more recognition

Website
Instagram
X

00:00:00 — Colorado vineyard & climate
00:01:00 — Old basket press
00:02:30 — New bladder press
00:03:30 — Tanks & barrels
00:05:00 — Pressing process
00:06:30 — Vineyard origin story
00:07:30 — Why this wine feels better
00:09:00 — Additives & labeling truth
00:10:30 — Wine, place & meaning
00:11:30 — Commodity vs real wine
00:14:30 — Vine growth & maturity
00:17:30 — Freeze damage & recovery
00:21:30 — Training vines
00:23:30 — Irrigation & soil depth
00:27:00 — Cutting back growth
00:28:30 — Lessons, learning, & commitment

Inside a First-Generation Sheep Ranch Operation (Live Farm Tour) - Michael Greco | #99

The Regenaissance — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0600

This on-the-ground episode explores Michael Grecos first-generation regenerative sheep operation, run entirely on leased land in New York’s Hudson Valley.

We walk the pastures with Michael as he explains stocking strategy, grazing philosophy, shade management, lambing, predator protection, mineral systems, on-farm slaughter, and why sheep can make regenerative agriculture viable on smaller landscapes.

Key Topics

Why Michael chose sheep and how leased land shapes his operation
Daily rotational grazing, density, rest periods, and pasture response
Lambing, weaning, animal stress, shade, and heat management
Guardian dogs, predators, minerals, biochar, and health management
Ethics, transparency, local food, and on-farm harvest philosophy

What You’ll Learn

Why sheep economics differ from cattle and fit smaller northeastern landscapes
How paddock design, net fencing, and daily moves build soil and resilience
Practical realities of lambing, natural weaning, and dealing with rejection cases
How to think about ticks, rainfall, heat stress, shade, and pasture density
Why buying local matters and why ranchers care deeply about animal welfare

Connect with Michael:

Website
Instagram

Follow the tour on YouTube

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Meet Michael & the Hudson Valley Sheep Ranch
00:01:00 – Why Sheep? Cost, Scale, & Land Fit
00:03:00 – Leased Land & Grazing Philosophy
00:05:00 – Natural Weaning vs Forced Weaning
00:07:30 – Daily Moves, Density & Pasture Impact
00:10:00 – What a “Good” Grazed Paddock Looks Like
00:15:00 – Lamb Count, Losses & Culling Logic
00:17:30 – Guardian Dog & Predator Control
00:19:30 – Minerals, Biochar & Health Support
00:21:00 – Rumination & What Calm Sheep Look Like
00:23:00 – Lambing Timing & Spring Nutrition
00:28:00 – Shade, Heat Stress & Summer Management
00:30:30 – On-Farm Harvest & Ethics
00:36:00 – Visiting Farms & Transparency
00:37:30 – Rest Periods, Regrowth & Stockpiling
00:44:00 – Milkweed, Pollinators & “Poison Plant” Myth
00:47:00 – Mowing vs Not Mowing
00:48:00 – Scaling Plans & Future Growth

Inside a Multi-Species Grazing System (Live Farm Tour) - Julie Friend | #98

The Regenaissance — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0600

In this live farm tour episode from July this year, I visited Julie Friend and her farm, Wildom Farm, a regenerative livestock farm where cows, sheep, chickens, and pigs are raised together on pasture and in forest systems. The discussion covers daily pasture rotation, animal behavior, predator dynamics, soil health, and how regenerative management affects animal welfare, meat quality, and ecosystem resilience. The farmer walks through real trade-offs, processing challenges, and why transparency and letting people visit farms matters.

Key Topics

Daily rotational grazing and mobile infrastructure
Raising cows, sheep, and chickens together in one system
Forest-raised pork, forage diversity, and meat quality
Predator balance, animal behavior, and welfare trade-offs
Processing bottlenecks, frozen meat, and food transparency

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

How cows, sheep, chickens, and pigs can be managed together in a single pasture-based system without confinement
Why daily animal movement improves pasture health, soil biology, and animal welfare
How forest-raised pigs and diverse forage directly influence meat flavor and quality
The practical trade-offs of regenerative farming, including predators, hay quality, and labor
Why transparency, farm visits, and frozen meat matter for trust in the food system

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Daily pasture moves and extending the grazing season
00:04:00 – Mobile shade and infrastructure without trees
00:07:45 – Starting the cow herd and choosing heritage breeds
00:10:30 – Grassland birds, hay timing, and ecological trade-offs
00:14:10 – Letting customers walk the farm and see the animals
00:18:00 – Why cows, sheep, and chickens are run together
00:22:00 – Forest-raised pigs and whey feeding from a local creamery
00:30:00 – How forage diversity changes the taste of pork
00:37:30 – Fatty acid testing and nutrition in pork and chicken
00:43:30 – Processing bottlenecks and booking a year ahead
00:45:30 – On-farm slaughter vs USDA facilities
00:53:30 – Farm store transparency and frozen meat

How Community Keeps Ranching Alive - Jason Wrich | #97

The Regenaissance — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0600

This episode was recorded during the Colorado farm tour and features a long-form conversation with Jason Wrich from Wrich Ranches, a regenerative cattle operation built on leased land, rebuilt soil, and decades of hands-on learning.

We walk through the origins of the ranch, the economics behind conventional vs regenerative systems, the realities of grazing management, and the cultural disconnect shaping how Americans think about food.

The discussion moves from land stewardship and plant physiology to market forces, subsidies, meat processing, the American diet, and why local food systems matter.

It’s a grounded look at how real ranching works, what it costs, and what it reveals about the country’s future.

Key Topics

- Growing a regenerative cattle operation on leased land and limited resources.

- How plant physiology and grazing timing drive true soil health.

- The hidden financial reality of ranching: debt, land leases, and cattle markets.

- Why America is nutritionally sick and culturally disconnected from food.

- The need for micro-processors, local supply chains, and real decentralization.

Why You Should Listen

- A transparent breakdown of how ranch economics actually function.

- Firsthand insight into regenerative grazing, soil cycles, and land recovery.

- A candid discussion of American food disconnection and its consequences.

- An inside view of the challenges ranchers face in drought, markets, and policy.

Connect with Jason:

Website
Instagram

Timestamps

00:00:00 Camping, disconnection, and how far society has shifted from food
00:01:00 Airbnb guests becoming beef customers and building trust
00:03:00 Early exposure to farming and lessons from Rick’s grandfather
00:05:00 Ranching in the 1980s and why the family operation barely survived
00:08:00 Working full-time while farming full-time and raising a family
00:11:00 Selling high-elevation hay and the old-school trust economy
00:14:00 Processed food, hormones, and the roots of America’s health collapse
00:17:00 Customers witnessing slaughter and reconnecting with the life–death cycle
00:21:00 Grazing timing, plant cycles, and understanding true soil function
00:27:00 Managing weeds through grazing and cattle behavior
00:31:00 Leasing land, landowners, and why good relationships matter
00:36:00 Generational loss of agricultural knowledge and young agrarians
00:39:00 Restoring degraded pastures with biomass and proper cycles
00:46:00 The case for micro-processors and problems in large packing plants
00:51:00 Food stamps, ultra-processed diets, and engineered food addiction
00:55:00 Losing personal responsibility and the cultural consequences
00:59:00 Specialization vs. self-reliance and the fading generalist skillset
01:02:00 The American Dream, suburban design, and comfort eroding resilience
01:09:00 Public-land grazing vs. private leases and the real cost differences
01:14:00 Why selling calves can be more profitable than finishing beef
01:16:00 Community impact, customer stories, and why the work continues
01:17:00 Global visitors, land ownership, and what makes America unique

Inside White Oak Pastures (Live Farm Tour) - Will Harris | #96

The Regenaissance — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0600

This episode comes from our recent farm tour at White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Georgia, where Will Harris walked us through the land and the systems that support it.

White Oak is a multigenerational operation that has shifted from conventional row-crop agriculture to a diverse, closed-loop ecosystem of grass-fed cattle, wildlife, and restored soils. Will explains how these relationships work in practice, the long-term effects of pesticides and monoculture, and why ecological cycles - not industrial extraction - determine the health and future of the land.

Key topics:

How birds, insects, and cattle interact in regenerative systems
The long-term impacts of pesticides and monoculture farming
Nature’s cycles vs. industrial extraction
Carbon, organic matter, and lifecycle assessments at White Oak Pastures
Grazing management, dung beetles, and nutrient cycling across the farm

Why You Should Listen:

- Clear, firsthand explanations of how regenerative grazing works in practice

- A breakdown of pesticides’ long-term effects on soil, trees, and ecosystem balance

- Real-world insight into carbon cycles, nutrient cycling, and dung beetle activity

- A grounded comparison between industrial beef systems and regenerative cattle operations

Connect With White Oak Pastures

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Birds arriving on the farm and their symbiotic role with cattle
00:01:00 Seasonal patterns, migration, and fly pressure
00:02:00 What this land looked like 25 years ago
00:03:00 Monoculture, pesticides, and the mindset of killing “problems”
00:05:00 Pesticides’ short-term benefits and long-term ecological harm
00:07:00 Residual effects of crop-field chemicals on soil function
00:08:00 “Nature bats last” and long-term cycles of recovery
00:09:00 Abundance vs. extraction in modern agriculture
00:10:00 Passing land ethics to the next generation
00:12:00 Education, land-grant universities, and learning farming
00:14:00 Grass-fed timelines, weight, and national inventory reality
00:15:00 Why most ground beef tastes the way it does
00:18:00 Industrial supply chains vs. farm-level economics
00:19:00 Feedlots, methane, and lifecycle carbon science
00:20:00 Dung beetles, nutrient cycling, and soil structure
00:22:00 Daily cattle moves and grazing pattern
00:23:00 Agroforestry, thinning trees, and managing understory growth
00:24:00 Total herd size and the surrounding landscape

Pioneering a New Food Model Around Grass-Fed Cows - Hickory Nut Gap Farms (Live Farm Tour) | #95

The Regenaissance — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0600

Hickory Nut Gap is a century-old family farm in Western North Carolina, now run by Jamie and Amy, who shifted the operation toward grass-fed beef, pastured poultry, and regenerative grazing. Their model connects soil health, animal welfare, and community resilience - from rotational grazing that builds biodiversity to supplying local restaurants and retailers. This tour looks directly at how they raise animals, manage land, and keep farming viable in the Appalachian mountains.

Key Topics

How Hickory Nut Gap transitioned from an old dairy to a regenerative livestock operation
Rotational grazing, biodiversity, and carbon-building in mountain pastures
The economics of grass-fed beef versus grain-fed systems
How the farm navigated the 2023 Cane Creek flood and community recovery
Whole-animal butchery, pet food production, and reconnecting consumers with real food

Why Listen To This Episode

A real-time look at how a regenerative livestock farm actually operates
Clear explanation of rotational grazing, pasture rest, and soil-building
Practical insight into animal welfare, handling, and daily farm management
Firsthand account of flood recovery and community resilience
Straightforward breakdown of grass-fed vs grain-fed economics and taste
Cuts through marketing claims by showing the real work behind regenerative agriculture

Website
Instagram

Timestamps

00:00:00 — History of Hickory Nut Gap and returning to the family farm

00:02:00 — Discovering direct-market pasture farming in the early 2000s

00:04:00 — Grass-fed movement and building a farmer-supported food system

00:06:00 — Taste, nutrition, and why fresh, local food matters

00:10:00 — Flood impacts and land recovery after the Cane Creek disaster

00:12:00 — Rotational grazing explained: density, rest, carbon, biodiversity

00:15:00 — Grass-fed vs grain-fed: economics, animal health, taste

00:17:00 — Talking with vegans and the ethics of reducing harm in ecosystems

00:19:00 — Regrowth after grazing and how mountain pastures respond

00:23:00 — Daily welfare checks: water, feed, injuries, antibiotics policy

00:26:00 — Whole-animal use, pet food demand, and underrated cuts

Low-Intervention Wine & Natural Winemaking - Ben Justman | #94

The Regenaissance — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0600

Ben Justman of Peony Lane Wine grew up on this Colorado orchard, returned in his mid-20s, taught himself winemaking, and now runs a small high-elevation Pinot Noir winery on his family’s land, built alongside his father.

Key Topics

Childhood on a self-sustaining orchard and returning to family land
Starting Peony Lane Wine and producing high-elevation Pinot Noir
Winemaking as farming: soil, climate, and place
Direct-to-consumer realities for small producers
Why Ben accepts Bitcoin and why he places importance on it

Why Listen

Clear insight into how small wineries actually operate
A grounded look at family land, legacy, and returning home
Practical examples of direct-to-consumer sales for farmers
Rare details about high-elevation Pinot Noir production
Honest reflections on working with family while building a business

Website
Instagram
X

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Arriving at Peony Lane and first impressions
00:09:00 – Growing up on the farm
00:18:30 – Leaving, travel, and returning home
00:27:30 – Starting the winery
00:36:30 – Pinot noir and site limitations
00:45:30 – Small vs industrial wine
00:54:30 – Stewardship and identity
01:03:30 – Building the house with his father
01:12:30 – Family, legacy, and land
01:21:30 – Direct-to-consumer sales
01:30:30 – Bitcoin and values-based customers
01:39:30 – Money, sovereignty, and the future

Losing My Farm, Being Outed From Dairy, And Lessons For Future Food - Jr Burdick | #93

The Regenaissance — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0600

JR Burdick of Nourishing Family Farm explains how losing his family’s farm in the 1980s and later being forced out of his dairy co-op shaped his path toward raw milk, soil-based farming, and local food independence. His story exposes how modern agriculture breaks families and communities - and how rebuilding begins one farm at a time.

Key Topics

The 1980s farm crisis and its generational impact
Industrial agriculture’s false promises
Losing and rebuilding the family farm
Founding Nourishing Family Farm and producing raw milk
Redefining farming as care for soil, cows, and community

Why Listen

Reveals how U.S. farm policy hollowed out rural America
Shows how raw milk and local food rebuild trust and health
Offers a firsthand blueprint for regenerating the land and economy
Traces 40 years of American farming through one family’s eyes
Ends with a powerful redefinition of what it means to be a farmer

Connect with JR:
Website
X
Facebook

References:
"The Jungle" (1906) by Upton Sinclair

Timestamps

00:00:00 – JR’s multi-generation farming roots
00:02:00 – 1980s farm collapse
00:06:00 – Debt, rates, and farm failures
00:10:00 – Starting over
00:14:00 – Ag education and GMOs
00:25:00 – Green Revolution and nutrition loss
00:33:00 – Regulation and consolidation
00:46:00 – Tornado and community response
01:00:00 – Rebuilding under financial strain
01:15:00 – Generational succession challenges
01:30:00 – Co-op shutdown and income loss
01:45:00 – Ethanol and insurance dependence
02:03:00 – Conventional dairying realities
02:10:00 – Identity, purpose, and faith
02:30:00 – Founding Nourishing Family Farm
02:45:00 – Food as medicine
03:00:00 – Stewardship and resilience
03:10:00 – Redefining the modern farmer

Why Most Farmers Don't Make It Full-Time - August Hortsmann | #92

The Regenaissance — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0600

August Hortsmann is a first-generation Missouri cattleman and founder of Hortsmann Cattle Company, a regenerative ranch built on his family’s land near St. Louis.

What began as a childhood passion grew into a full-time operation which, over the past eight years, has integrated adaptive grazing, direct-to-consumer beef sales, and long-term soil-focused practices. His education was established through years of study, observation, and trial. August spent countless seasons working ranch jobs integrating regenerative practices, allowing him studying grazing systems and testing various methods.

Augusts story shares undertones of the uncertain, long road taken for each farmer to reach their dream of working full-time. For August, as you'll hear, he made it happen, but for 84% of farmers in America, they work other jobs. August shares his shift from conventional, university-trained agriculture to regenerative practice, the economic realities of running a small meat business, and his philosophy on scale, sustainability, and soil health.

Key Topics

Early life and the arduous path to founding Hortsmann Cattle Co
Transition from conventional to regenerative grazing
Why multi-species farming can break a business
What adaptive grazing actually looks like on the ground
'Breaking even' and the economic realities of cattle farming
Scaling regenerative agriculture for the future

Why You Should Listen

- What the path to full-time farming really looks like

- How farmers survive years before breaking even

- Building a regenerative cattle business from nothing

- Lessons from eight years of adaptive grazing

- The hard economics of small-scale beef

Connect with August

Instagram
Website

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Childhood roots and first memories on the family farm
00:03:00 – Starting Hortsmann Cattle Co in college
00:06:00 – University teachings vs. real-world economics
00:10:00 – Working off-farm while building a cattle business
00:13:00 – Discovering regenerative agriculture through Soil & Water
00:19:00 – Adding multi-species and the “death by diversity” lesson
00:29:00 – Burnout and the decision to simplify operations
00:31:00 – Quitting full-time work and going all-in on the farm
00:36:00 – Adaptive grazing and learning from nature’s rhythms
00:43:00 – Shifting from farmers’ markets to online direct sales
00:53:00 – Educating consumers on bulk buying and real costs
00:57:00 – Why small meat businesses struggle with margins
01:03:00 – Processing, scale, and the bottlenecks of small producers
01:09:00 – Is regenerative agriculture scalable?
01:13:00 – Advice for aspiring ranchers
01:17:00 – Social media, misinformation, and consumer trust
01:20:00 – Building a ranch that can sustain future generations

Humans, Extinction, And Nature - Will Harris | #91

The Regenaissance — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Will Harris is a sixth-generation cattleman and owner of White Oak Pastures, a 158-year-old family farm in Bluffton, Georgia. Since 1866, the Harris family has practiced land-based farming rooted in regeneration, humane animal husbandry, and zero-waste production.

In this episode, Will reflects on the farm’s evolution from industrial cattle operations to a living ecosystem. He discusses soil, community, balance, symbiosis in an ecosstem, rural farming communities, stewardship, organic matter, his family history, and more.

Key Topics

6 generations of farming - from industrial cattle to regenerative systems
Rebuilding Bluffton’s rural economy through local food
Soil carbon, organic matter, and ecological limits
The moral and generational lessons of land stewardship
Rethinking success: humility, balance, and long-term thinking

Why You Should Listen

How six generations turned an industrial farm into a living ecosystem.
Why killing pests and controlling nature backfired
What it takes to rebuild a town’s economy
The real economics of land, legacy, and long-term thinking.
Why humility- not technology - is the key to surviving the human dilemma.

Connect With White Oak Pastures

Smoke River Ranch Website
X

Timestamps

00:00:00 — White Oak Pastures and 158 years of family farming
00:05:00 — Industrial agriculture and losing balance
00:08:00 — The cost of control: chemicals and confinement
00:11:00 — Soil carbon, fertility, and organic matter
00:16:00 — Working within nature’s limits
00:25:00 — Rejecting tech fixes and restoring balance
00:34:00 — Internships, purpose, and community revival
00:42:00 — Bluffton’s renewal through local production
00:50:00 — Land, debt, and long-term stewardship
00:55:00 — Generational transfer and humility
01:08:00 — Observation, faith, and living with nature

The Miracle Of Rural America - Joel Hollingsworth | #90

The Regenaissance — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Ryan sits down with Joel Hollingsworth of Smoke River Ranch in Oklahoma, who lays out a clear, unflinching diagnosis of America’s decline.

He then takes you through the solution, step by step, exactly whats required. In short, the miracle ahead has only one path, and that is a restored and vitalized rural America.

Key Topics:

Collapse and renewal of rural America
Building culture through community and soil
Regenerative ranching and total grazing
Economic sovereignty and local production
Reclaiming health and vitality

Why You Should Listen:

- Learn how rural collapse happened.
- See how financialization hollowed America.
- Understand why soil and economy are linked.
- Discover how regeneration rebuilds communities.
- Hear a practical plan for renewal.

Resources mentioned:

Book: The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Book: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink

Connect with Joel:

00:00:00 – America’s decline and lost vitality
00:04:30 – Joel’s story and Smoke River Ranch
00:11:00 – Finance replacing real production
00:20:10 – Centralization and moral decay
00:29:40 – What regeneration means
00:38:25 – Soil as civilization’s base
00:46:50 – Rebuilding local economies
00:56:30 – Tech and virtual fencing
01:05:00 – The real economics of farming
01:16:15 – Decentralization and freedom
01:28:10 – Work, dignity, and meaning
01:38:40 – Food, health, and strength
01:52:20 – Cultural cost of disconnection
02:09:00 – Rural vitalism in action
02:27:15 – Rebuilding soil, rebuilding America

Regeneration Starts From Within - Cindy Sheffield | #89

The Regenaissance — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0500

When chronic illness left Cindy bedridden in her twenties, she began questioning everything she’d been taught about health - and later, about farming. What started as a search for healing led her and her husband to rebuild their land in Burneyville, Oklahoma, where TLC Ranch now stands: a regenerative bison ranch and certified organic pecan orchard rooted in living systems rather than chemicals. Through decades of trial, floods, and faith, Cindy discovered that the same principles that restore the body also restore the soil. This episode traces how her recovery became the land’s recovery - and what it really means to live and farm in alignment with nature.

Key Topics

- Healing through food and faith
- From chemical sprays to organic farming
- Bison behavior and herd management
- The challenges of organic certification
- Health, medicine, and trusting intuition

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Growing up outdoors and learning self-reliance
00:04:00 – Linking diet and chronic illness in the 1980s
00:08:00 – Healing through food and natural living
00:12:00 – From chemical farming to organic awareness
00:19:00 – Buying land and starting the ranch
00:27:00 – Discovering bison and learning their behavior
00:31:00 – Pecans as nutrient-dense local food
00:44:00 – Challenges of organic certification
00:53:00 – Replacing chemicals with biological inputs
00:58:00 – Managing herd health and natural balance
01:05:00 – Lessons from floods and renewal on the land

Website
Facebook
Instagram

Why a New Generation Is Choosing Farming, And How More Can Do The Same - Patrick & Caden (Family Cable Farm) | #88

The Regenaissance — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Caden and Patrick are first-generation farmers in North Carolina who started Cable Family Farm while still in high school. Together, they’ve built a small-scale regenerative farm focused on pasture-raised poultry and no-till market gardening, proving that young people can make a living from the land through hard work, curiosity, and faith.

Cable Family Farm practices regenerative farming focused on soil health, animal welfare, and local connection through small-scale, community-based food production.

Key Topics

Starting a regenerative farm as teenagers
Learning and adapting through trial and error
Making small-scale farming sustainable
Sacrifice, purpose, and faith in farming
Inspiring young people to reconnect with food

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Discovering small-scale farming
00:02:45 – Launching Cable Family Farm in high school
00:06:00 – Rekindling friendship and building together
00:09:00 – Visiting Polyface Farm for inspiration
00:10:30 – Selling produce and entering markets
00:14:00 – Lessons from larger conventional farms
00:17:00 – Partnership, long hours, and learning curves
00:21:00 – Sacrifice and fulfillment on the land
00:25:00 – Bringing younger generations into farming
00:35:00 – Faith and stewardship of the land
00:40:00 – Balancing college with farm life
00:42:00 – Reflections on growth and purpose

Connect

Instagram
Facebook

Justin Rhodes - Homesteading, Rotational Grazing, & Legacy (Live Farm Tour) | #87

The Regenaissance — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0500

This episode is a little different: instead of a sit-down podcast, I join Justin Rhodes for a live tour around his North Carolina farm.

When you think of homesteaders, Justin Rhodes is the first person you think of. With over a million followers on YouTube and multiple successful books, Justin and his family have paved the way for new homesteaders through documenting their journey. A fourth-generation steward of his family’s land in North Carolina, Justin and his wife Rebecca raise their five children on it.

What we cover:

How rotational grazing restores pastures without seed or fertilizer
The challenges and realities of homesteading versus farming for profit
Balancing family life, children, and farm responsibilities
Why many new homesteaders burn out and how to avoid it
The generational legacy of farming the same land and what it means for the future

Timestamps:

00:01:30 — The breeds of cows on the farm and how milk is shared

00:03:00 — Family land history and what the farm cost in the 1930s

00:05:00 — Rotational grazing explained and why clover survives

00:09:00 — Homesteading vs farming: growing food for yourself or for sale

00:13:00 — Why most new homesteaders burn out and how to prepare

00:17:30 — Finding a deeper reason beyond money to keep farming

00:19:00 — Involving children in farm life and family teamwork

00:21:00 — The multi-generational connection to land and legacy

00:23:00 — Raw milk, safety, and family traditions

00:25:00 — Industrial milk history, swill dairies, and why pasteurization began

Justin's YouTube channel
Instagram
Farm Website

Josh & Jessica Guptill - We Want To Know Our Customers... Then Educate Them | #86

The Regenaissance — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Josh and Jessica Guptill run Rehoboth Farm in Suffolk, Virginia, where they raise pastured chicken, pork, lamb, beef, eggs, and turkeys. Neither came from a farming family - Josh left the Coast Guard and Jessica is a doula - but together they built their farm from backyard beginnings, guided by faith and a belief in producing “healing food.” Their path is unique: from DIY chicken pluckers and bartering for land to scaling up during COVID, they’ve made transparency and education central to their work. Today they not only provide nutrient-dense food but also host workshops and farm visits, giving their community a firsthand connection to how food is grown.

This episode we discuss:

What backyard chickens taught them about the realities of food production
How different animals (chickens, pigs, sheep, cattle) work together to regenerate land
Why transparency and on-farm visits build trust between farmers and eaters
The role of farmers’ markets, and what separates thriving ones from failing ones
How faith and community shape their vision of farming as a vocation

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Josh & Jessica’s backstory and first encounters with farming

00:07:00 Early challenges raising and butchering chickens

00:13:00 Deciding to leave the Coast Guard and pursue farming

00:19:00 Finding and moving onto their current Virginia farm

00:25:00 Scaling up chickens, pigs, and lamb during COVID

00:33:00 Why their farmers’ market works—and why others fail

00:40:00 Marketing, transparency, and building customer trust

00:48:00 The meaning behind the name “Rehoboth Farm”

00:53:00 Questions consumers should ask at farmers’ markets

01:00:00 Hosting on-farm classes and why visits matter

Website
Instagram
Facebook

Jordan Green - Economics, Marketing, & Storytelling In Agriculture | #85

The Regenaissance — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Jordan and I discuss the importance of economics, marketing, and storytelling in agriculture.

Jordan Green is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served multiple deployments before completing a five-year tour of duty in 2009 and transitioning into full-time farming with his wife, Laura.

Together, Jordan and Laura founded J&L Green Farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, where they raise pasture-based pork and poultry and 100% grass-fed beef on 500 acres, marketing their food directly to consumers.

Key Topics

Escaping the industrial poultry system and its impact on animals and farmers
Apprenticeship at Polyface Farm and lessons from Joel Salatin
Military service and how it shaped the decision to start J&L Green Farm
The struggles of starting a farm business during the 2008 financial crisis
Why marketing and storytelling matter as much as production in regenerative farming

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Why cheap food threatens the survival of American farms

00:03:00 Inside poultry houses: dust, ammonia, and farmer servitude

00:08:00 Contracts, mortgages, and the trap of industrial poultry farming

00:17:00 Apprenticeship at Polyface and scaling pasture-based livestock

00:24:00 The reality of death and livestock farming behind the scenes

00:29:00 Joining the Marines and balancing military life with farm dreams

00:36:00 Starting J&L Green Farm with land, capital, and a Polyface contract

00:40:00 Surviving the 2008 housing crash while building a farm business

00:42:00 Why marketing is the hardest but most crucial part of farming

00:49:00 The clash between fast tech and slow ecology in food production

00:55:00 Building customer relationships, not flash sales

01:00:00 Why most farms aren’t welcoming to the public and how J&L differs

Connect with Jordan, J&L Farm:

Bryson Lipscomb - Worst USDA Butcher Experiences | #84

The Regenaissance — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 11:01:57 -0500

The USDA has farmers by the balls. We all know it. Bryson felt it, and quickly chose to fight it. He found legit workarounds and today educates us on how other farmers can help stabilise and control their own futures.

Bryson Lipscomb of Triple Oak farms - a military veteran turned first-generation farmer, who traded his 9-5 job to become a farmer and build his own life with his wife and then newborn son.

Bryson bring a refreshing & unique perspective on American farming, unfiltered for sure and very grounded. He shares the struggles and blessings of starting from scratch, the pretty messed realities of USDA processing (spoiler - it's way worse than you think), navigating regulations and the search for alternatives (such as the private membership association - PMA) that keep food sovereignty in the hands of the people.

This one certainly echoes faith, food, freedom in America, now and in the future. Enjoy.

Triple Oaks Farm is a family-run regenerative farm in Virginia, raising pastured pigs and other livestock with a focus on food sovereignty, stewardship, and community.

Key Topics

COVID as a wake-up call for food independence
The realities of raising animals on pasture
Stewardship, resilience, and lessons from livestock
Industrial processing vs. small farm alternatives
Faith, freedom, and food sovereignty through PMAs

Timestamps

00:01:00 COVID meat shortages spark the leap into farming

00:04:00 First pigs, early mistakes, and discovering regenerative farming

00:09:00 Pig escapes and fencing failures — hard lessons in stewardship

00:18:00 From alcoholism to faith — how farming changed everything

00:31:00 Why small farms can’t compete with Smithfield

00:34:00 The hidden costs of USDA butchering

00:43:00 Dominion, faith, and the moral conflict of unjust laws

01:00:00 Mishandling, fraud, and corruption inside USDA plants

01:08:00 Final breaking point — walking away from USDA processors

01:13:00 Discovering the PMA model as a legal path forward

01:20:00 Building a farm rooted in faith, sovereignty, and community

01:30:00 Why resilience, stewardship, and sovereignty matter for everyone

01:40:00 Closing reflections on food freedom and the future of Triple Oaks

Connect With Triple Oaks

Isabelle & Garrett Heydt - Building Community Around Food, Farming & Family | #83

The Regenaissance — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Farm tour #8.

Isabelle and Garrett Heydt, of Rucker Farm in Virginia share their journey from vastly different childhoods to building a thriving regenerative farm and raising three young children. They discuss how they started with just a handful of chickens, grew into pigs and cattle, built community through barter events and markets, and navigated the challenges of balancing family life with the demands of farming. Their story highlights both the struggles and rewards of choosing a life close to the land.

Rucker Farm is a regenerative family farm in Virginia raising pastured beef, pork, and poultry with full transparency and care for the land. They rotate animals daily, avoid confinement, and even invite the public to their on-farm harvests to reconnect people with real food.

Key Topics

From contrasting childhoods to a shared farming path
Starting with 50 chickens and scaling up
Raising a family while running a farm
Family, farming, and community at the center
Regenerative vs. conventional cattle operations
Marketing, markets, and authentic customer ties

Timestamps

00:02:00 – Isabelle’s upbringing on Rucker Farm and her family’s farming background
00:07:00 – Garrett’s childhood in Baltimore and path into outdoor guiding
00:12:00 – Meeting in West Virginia, homesteading, and renovating their first house
00:20:00 – Moving back to Rucker Farm in 2020 during the pandemic
00:23:00 – Why they started with chickens and how it scaled into pigs and cattle
00:25:00 – Hosting barter tables and building community around food and farming
00:33:00 – Partnerships, land access, and support from American Farmland Trust
00:37:00 – Advice for new farmers on building relationships and opportunities
00:39:00 – Isabelle’s approach to marketing, storytelling, and authenticity
00:45:00 – The realities and challenges of farmers’ markets
00:55:00 – Educating consumers on cooking grass-finished beef
01:01:00 – Raising children on the farm and connecting them to nature

Connect with Rucker Farm

Tony Eash - The Value In Mennonite Farming Today | #82

The Regenaissance — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Farm tour #7.

Today we interview farmer Tony Eash, from Triple E farms.

Triple E Farms is a family-run raw dairy and livestock farm in West Virginia, operated by brothers Tony and Phil. Farming since childhood, they grew up raising animals on pasture and chose a regenerative path after the sudden loss of their father. Today they produce 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised, non-GMO beef, pork, poultry, and raw dairy, combining traditional practices with appropriate modern technology to provide pure, nutrient-dense food for their family and community.

Key topics

Transition from conventional dairy to regenerative farming
Community support and resilience after personal loss
West Virginia’s raw milk laws and policy changes
Working with Amish partners for poultry and turkey supply
Advice for aspiring farmers entering regenerative agriculture

Timestamps

00:00:00 Challenging perceptions of farmers and profitability
00:01:00 From Amish roots to dairy farming in Virginia
00:03:00 Turning away from commercial chicken houses
00:04:00 Starting with broilers and expanding to pigs, beef, and dairy
00:08:00 Growing up on a small hobby farm and making hay
00:12:00 Losing his father and coping through work
00:14:00 Mennonite community support after tragedy
00:18:00 Building a raw milk customer base
00:20:00 Raw milk laws in West Virginia
00:26:00 Questions to ask when buying milk or visiting farms
00:28:00 Testing, cleanliness, and raw vs. pasteurized costs
00:32:00 Balancing full-time jobs with farm demands

Connect with Triple E

Ben & Hannah Yoder - Preserving Culture Over Profit | #81

The Regenaissance — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Farm tour #6.

On today’s episode, I speak with Ben and Hannah Yoder of Savage Mountain Farm. Drawing on their Amish–Mennonite heritage and a commitment to natural farming, they share how they’ve built a livelihood that prioritizes culture, family, and the small farm way of life.

Key Topics:

Reviving Amish–Mennonite farming heritage
Building a full-diet CSA in a rural area
Preserving small farm culture over profit
Keeping unprofitable crops for their cultural value
Homeschooling and raising kids through farm work

Timestamps:

00:01:00 Ben’s discovery of his Amish–Mennonite farming roots
00:09:00 Early farming experiences, WWOOFing, and meeting Hannah
00:11:00 Starting their farm on rented land and the move to their current site
00:14:00 Designing a full-diet, full-choice CSA for a rural market
00:22:00 Preserving small farm culture over the capitalist mindset
00:26:00 Why they keep unprofitable crops for cultural and family reasons
00:27:00 Children’s role in daily farm life
00:35:00 Hannah’s path from urban gardening to sustainable agriculture
00:49:00 Homeschooling philosophy and keeping kids engaged with life and work
01:00:00 How farming builds autonomy, resilience, and life skills

Connect with Savage Mountain:

Website
Lard
Regenerative Meat
Instagram

Follow the tour on YouTube

Julie Friend - Embracing Slow Food | #80

The Regenaissance — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Farm tour #5 baby.

This one was really cool. Julie has great energy and speaks to some of most important issues surrounding regenerative farming. Enjoy!

Follow the tour live

Julie Friend is a first-generation farmer who left city life in Chicago to return to her family’s land in western Maryland and build a regenerative livestock operation from the ground up. Her journey began with a personal health shift and quickly evolved into a deep commitment to ecological farming and ethical animal care.

Wildom Farm raises grass-fed beef and lamb, forest-raised pork, pastured poultry, and produces small-batch lard-based skincare. Focused on land regeneration, nutrient-dense food, and whole-animal use, the farm serves its local community through direct sales, farm dinners, and hands-on education.

Key Topics:

Julie’s transition from urban business to regenerative farming
The emotional complexity of raising and processing animals
Whole-animal use and on-farm value-adding (bone broth, lard, hides)
The economics and realities of small-scale food production
Why local sourcing and consumer education matter

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Why “normal” meat is expensive—and what feedlots distort
00:06:30 Discovering regenerative agriculture through Whole30
00:08:30 Leaving Chicago and returning to steward family land
00:17:00 First animal slaughter and why it never gets easier
00:21:00 Whole-animal use: skincare, hides, and broth
00:27:00 The slow economics of beef and forecasting challenges
00:35:00 How to talk to your local farmer and ask good questions
00:43:00 The cost of organic feed vs. conventional operations
00:52:00 Why lard is uniquely suited for skincare
01:04:00 Advice for women in agriculture or looking to join
01:08:00 The emotional toll of farming

Connect with Julie

Michael Greco - Starting a Regenerative Farm From Scratch | #79

The Regenaissance — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Farm tour #4. Hoo Rah!

We enjoyed this one - Michael is a 1st gen farmer and quite literally started his operation boots on the ground. We get into it...

Follow the tour on YouTube

Michael Greco is the founder of Little O Ranch & Livestock, based in Saugerties, New York. A first-generation livestock producer, he leads a regenerative, holistic sheep operation in Hudson Valley. We unpack his philosophy, practices, and why he believes small-scale, community-connected farming is the future.

Key Topics:

Starting a first-gen livestock farm in the Hudson Valley
Holistic grazing practices and land stewardship
Raising sheep without grain, antibiotics, or chemical inputs
Building a direct-to-consumer meat business
Reconnecting people to land, food, and seasonal rhythms

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Michael’s background and how he got into farming
00:07:10 Starting Little O Ranch and farming in Saugerties
00:14:22 Why he raises sheep and how he manages them holistically
00:22:40 Grazing strategy and avoiding grain, antibiotics, and chemicals
00:30:18 What regenerative means to him on a practical level
00:36:47 The business model: lamb shares, community dinners, selling direct
00:44:35 The emotional and philosophical side of land stewardship
00:50:10 Lessons from farming alone and the importance of observation
00:57:23 Long-term vision and thoughts on food systems
01:04:00 Final reflections on connection, trust, and land care

Connect with Michael:
Website
Instagram

Follow the tour on YouTube

Brad Wiley - Consolations On 5 Generations Of Farming | #78

The Regenaissance — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:05:00 -0500

Farm tour #3. Wow. This episode is a must, must listen. An incredible perspective on farming, legacy, and what it takes to keep a farm in today's day and age. Enjoy, and share with a friend if this impacted you as well.

Follow the tour on YouTube

Brad Wiley is a fifth-generation farmer at Otter Creek Farm in Pittstown, New York. He grew up working alongside his grandparents, parents, and sister, and today he stewards the land with a focus on diversification, sustainability, and family continuity. Brad is also a passionate local historian, with deep knowledge of his family’s roots and the surrounding region.

Otter Creek Farm is a 440-acre multigenerational farm in Pittstown, NY, with 200 tillable acres, 100 pasture acres, and 140 woodland acres. A former dairy farm (1937–2018), it now raises pastured poultry, pigs, grass-fed cattle, and turkeys, and hosts a 20-acre chestnut orchard run by Breadtree Farms.

Key Topics:

Brad’s early memories on the farm and changes across generations
The decision to end dairy and shift toward grass-fed/regenerative
Navigating family legacy, land succession, and identity
The role of history, community, and storytelling in farm life
The deeper “why” behind keeping Otter Creek alive and resilient

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Brad’s roots: five generations on Otter Creek
00:06:15 The end of dairy and what came after
00:11:45 Transitioning to diversified livestock and pasture
00:17:30 Navigating family dynamics and succession
00:31:40 Balancing conviction with economic reality
00:37:00 What stewardship means in practice
00:47:30 What drives him to keep farming
00:54:20 The daily grind: routine, rhythm, and responsibility
01:01:10 Supporting the next generation without control
01:10:40 Climate, weather, and shifting environmental patterns
01:18:30 What “regeneration” means—and doesn’t mean—to Brad
01:50:40 Final thoughts: continuity, hope, and what endures

Connect with Brad:

Website

Follow the tour on YouTube

Elizabeth Collins - Becoming a Farmer At 40 | #77

The Regenaissance — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Elizabeth Collins is a first-generation farmer co-running Otter Creek Farm with Brad Wiley. Originally from Cincinnati, she moved from Lexington, KY, and now leads the farm’s livestock, regenerative operations, and Graceful Acres Farmstay.

Otter Creek Farm is a 440-acre multigenerational farm in Pittstown, NY, with 200 tillable acres, 100 pasture acres, and 140 woodland acres. A former dairy farm (1937–2018), it now raises pastured poultry, pigs, grass-fed cattle, and turkeys, and hosts a 20-acre chestnut orchard run by Breadtree Farms.

Alrighty, ranch 3!

Today we speak to Elizabeth Collins. Elizabeth has an amazing story of how she battled the odds to become a farmer at age 40. We discuss:

How Elizabeth became a farmer in her 40s after a life in business and food advocacy
The role of grants and how they enable regenerative agriculture to survive
Why she opposes USDA slaughter rules and advocates for humane, on-farm kills
The legacy of Temple Grandin and how autism helped redesign slaughter systems
Why she nearly became vegan—and how Cowspiracy gets regenerative farming wrong
Are co-ops viable, and what lessons she learned from working with one
What regenerative ranching really means to her, and how she's living it

Timestamps

00:00:00 Why Elizabeth rejects USDA slaughter and does on-farm kills
00:00:30 Her awakening to food, fat, and the broken health narrative
00:11:15 Selling a business and moving north: the midlife pivot
00:15:30 Lessons from a failed co-op and how the system is broken
00:19:40 The visceral moment she knew she needed to farm
00:26:15 Interning at 40 and what the 22-year-olds taught her
00:40:30 Grants as a lifeline for regenerative farms—and why they're vanishing
00:45:00 Legal barriers and values behind her small-scale slaughter model
00:50:40 Temple Grandin and the redesign of humane slaughter
01:09:00 'Cowspiracy' and why it's irrelevant to regenerative farming
01:20:30 Why she can’t legally sell her own meat in her farm store
01:26:15 What regenerative ranching truly means to Elizabeth

Connect with Elizabeth!

Website
Come Stay At Otter Creek...
Instagram

Follow the tour on YouTube

Jacob Baird - The Power Of Real Maple Syrup | #76

The Regenaissance — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Ranch tour #3.

Onto the 2nd ranch of our U.S Ranch and Farm Tour, where we are on a on a 6-month tour across America, we're visiting regenerative farms to podcast with ranchers, tour their land, document their work, and shake the hand that feeds us. Today's episode is with Maple Syrup rancher, Jacob Powsner. Jacob is great value. He absolutely loves maple syrup, which just makes the conversation that much better. He's living his dream. Alas, we do a total expose on everything Maple Syrup - super fascinating stuff.

Enjoy!

Jacob Baird is part of the fourth generation running Baird Farm, a 560-acre maple syrup operation in Vermont. In this episode, Jacob and Ryan dive into the full story behind maple syrup—how it’s made, what separates the real from the fake, and why so many food labels today are built on confusion. From the misuse of terms like “natural” and “regenerative,” to the nutritional power of real syrup and the policies shaping food transparency, this is a candid conversation about what honest food really takes.

Key topics:

- How real maple syrup is made—from forest to sugarhouse

- The difference between real and fake maple products

- Why “natural,” “organic,” and “regenerative” labels often mislead

- The nutritional and environmental case for real maple syrup

- Small farms vs big food: marketing, policy, and system capture

Timestamps:

00:00:00 “When you eat good food, you connect to the land”
00:03:30 The 100-year family history of Baird Farm and the shift from dairy to maple
00:06:00 How 15,000 trees are tapped and managed across the Vermont woods
00:09:00 What makes real maple syrup: process, purity, and organic practices
00:12:30 The truth about fake syrup, flavoring loopholes, and deceptive labels
00:16:00 The “natural flavors” problem and how big food co-opts language
00:19:00 Why regenerative is at risk of being greenwashed
00:22:00 Health benefits of real maple syrup: minerals, glycemic load, and antioxidants
00:25:00 Why maple syrup protects land from development and deforestation
00:28:00 How big players are consolidating the maple industry and what’s at stake
00:31:00 Jacob’s vision for small, intentional growth and honest food systems

Connect with Jason & Baird Farm:

Website
Instagram

Follow the tour on YouTube

Evan Gunthorp - The Fight For a Regenerative Future | #75

The Regenaissance — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:05:00 -0500

We thought it would be silly whilst on Gunthorp Farms to not interview Greg's son, Evan, who is not only carrying the torch when it comes to regenerative farming for the next generation, he's driving the fire truck, saving the babies from balconies, and putting out the fires that conventional meat processing (meat arsonists) create every day.

Evan's incredibly smart and I learnt a tonne in this hour. If you want to hear from one of the bright young ranchers thinking clearly on how to sustain & grow a regenerative farming culture in America, and the good bad and the ugly that comes with that mission, I couldn't recommend this pod enough.

Evan Gunthorp is the son of Greg Gunthorp and part of the next generation stewarding the legacy of Gunthorp Farms—an independent, pasture-based livestock operation in Indiana. In this episode, Evan shares his firsthand experience growing up immersed in regenerative agriculture, from raising thousands of chickens as a child to managing their USDA-inspected processing plant and pioneering solar grazing operations. This is a candid look at what it takes to sustain a farm across generations, the realities of small-scale meat production, and the cultural forces shaping our food future.

We cover:
- Growing up on a regenerative farm: chickens, responsibility, and early exposure to death and food

- Running a USDA processing plant and the emotional, ethical, and logistical complexities of meat production

- The labor crisis in farming and processing: challenges, insights, and systemic reflections

- Solar grazing as an ecological and economic solution for land-locked farmers

- What keeps Evan going despite the industrialization of agriculture and cultural disconnection from food

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Growing up Gunthorp: childhood on a working farm
00:04:30 Killing animals young: what that teaches about food and respect
00:10:00 Early responsibility: raising 3,000 chickens at age 7
00:14:30 Running a USDA processing plant as a teenager
00:20:00 Why most Americans shouldn’t be allowed to eat meat
00:25:30 Labor, dignity & depression inside meat processing
00:32:00 The promise and pitfalls of solar grazing
00:39:30 Can pasture-raised pigs scale across the U.S.?
00:45:00 Pork, parasites & why store-bought meat makes people sick
00:50:00 What keeps Evan going in a system stacked against him

Connect w Evan & Gunthorp farms:

Website
Instagram
Facebook

Greg Gunthorp - The Path To Resilient Pork | #74

The Regenaissance — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:02:00 -0500

Connect w Greg & Gunthorp Farms:

Website
X
Instagram
Linkedin

Website
Instagram
Buy Holy Cow Beef
X

Our 70 Year Journey To Embracing Chemical-Free Ag - Lessons, Corruption, Truths @ Ann & Weldon Warren | Ep #73

The Regenaissance — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Ann & Weldon Warren are regenerative ranchers and founders of Holy Cow Beef, a Texas-based operation producing 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef with a focus on clean food, animal welfare, and soil health.

They share their powerful journey from suburban Dallas and high-stress finance to a regenerative ranching life rooted in clean food, community, and faith. After a health crisis forced them to reevaluate everything, the Warrens rebuilt their life around ancestral practices—raising grass-finished cattle, stewarding land, and helping others reconnect with where their food comes from.

Key topics:

A stroke that sparked their move from city life to ranching
Their shift from chemical-heavy ag to regenerative cattle ranching
Healing through clean food and ancestral practices
USDA label corruption and the collapse of the grass-fed standard
Why food security starts with knowing your rancher

The Most Ambitious Grocery Experiment in America? @ Radius Butcher Austin | Ep #72

The Regenaissance — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Radius Butcher & Grocery is one of the most ambitious grocery experiments in America—blending beauty, transparency, and ethical sourcing into a bold new model for local food systems.

Kevin, the founder of Radius, joins me today to discuss transforming the grocery store experience by combining the abundance of farmers markets with everyday convenience. Radius sources locally from Texas farms, prioritizing nutrient-rich, flavorful, and sustainably produced foods.

I loved this episode, and learned a heap. Hope you all do to.

We discuss on the podcast:

How Radius is redefining grocery shopping with fresh local produce available daily.
Overcoming the limitations of traditional farmers markets through consistent availability and comprehensive product offerings.
The hidden complexities and innovations behind sourcing genuinely local, high-quality foods.
Navigating customer expectations around price and educating consumers on the value of sustainably farmed produce and meats.
Why embracing seasonal diversity and high standards for animal welfare and farming practices is crucial to the future of food systems.

Radius Website
Radius Instagram
Kevin X

Wagyu Beef Myths & The Reality Of Ranch Life @ Daniel Spitsbergen, Sustainable Natural Foods | Ep #71

The Regenaissance — Mon, 26 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Daniel Spitzbergen of Sustainable Natural Foods joins me today to debunk myths around Wagyu beef, share the reality of ranch life, and reflect on faith, fatherhood, and food sovereignty. Based in Oregon, Sustainable Natural Foods is a family ranch raising full-blood Wagyu with a focus on land stewardship, animal welfare, and world-class genetics.

Key Topics:

Wagyu beef myths, health claims, and breed misconceptions
Why hands-on experience matters more than viral misinformation
Daniel’s journey from missions work to running a Wagyu operation in Oregon
Involving kids in ranch life and building character through real work
Faith, family, and the deeper meaning behind food production

Man Bar Instagram
Man Bar Website

How Hunting Ties Into Regenerative Agriculture @ Trevor Gibbs | Ep #70

The Regenaissance — Mon, 19 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Trevor Gibbs is a hunter, cook, and founder of Man Bar—a slow-fermented, high-fat meat stick made from regenerative bison and beef. In this episode, we unpack what hunting really is—beyond the stereotypes—and why it matters for food, land, and culture. Trevor shares how his views evolved from being vegan to harvesting his own meat, and what hunting taught him about responsibility, respect, and community.

Key Topics:

- Trevor’s first hunting experience and what went wrong

- The emotional weight of taking a life and doing it with respect

- How hunting ties into regenerative agriculture and land care

- The wild hog problem in Texas and why lethal control is necessary

- Building Man Bar, a high-fat, fermented bison and beef stick made for real nourishment

Land, Liberty, and the Fight for the American Ranch @ Shad Sullivan | Ep #69

The Regenaissance — Mon, 12 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500

I sat down with cattle rancher Shad Sullivan to unpack the Maud family case—an explosive story of generational ranchers wrongly charged with land theft. Shad walks me through the full timeline, the grassroots fight to overturn it, and the deeper threat facing landowners, food freedom, and liberty across the West.

Key Topics:

The full story of the Maud family’s legal battle and how it was overturned
How unelected bureaucrats and federal agencies threaten private property rights
Why land access and ranching are central to food and national security
The spiritual and cultural war at the heart of America’s agricultural crisis
What it takes to revive ranching, build legacy, and defend liberty on the land

X
Facebook

Worms, Heat, and the Return to Living Soil @ Eric, Deep Roots Living Soil | Ep #68

The Regenaissance — Mon, 05 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500

A healthy nation is dependent upon healthy soil. This is what Eric and his family believe, a legacy that lives through Eric's work at Deep Roots Living Soil. From horse bedding to worm castings, Eric explains how thermophilic composting revives microbial life and how soil can be a tool for healing, sovereignty, and regeneration.

Key Topics:

How Eric returned home to carry on his father’s composting legacy
Why thermophilic composting creates biologically rich, living soil
The role of worm castings in boosting microbial life and plant health
How horse stables became a source of regenerative soil inputs
Reimagining compost and landscaping as tools for healing land and community

Instagram
X
Website

The Last Cowboy of Arizona @ Casey Murph | Ep #67

The Regenaissance — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Casey is a fifth-generation rancher in Northern Arizona whose family has worked the same land for over 120 years. In this conversation, he explains how large-scale solar projects are threatening local ranchers and reshaping the landscape. He shares stories from his family’s history, the role of trading posts with the Navajo and Hopi, and what it takes to keep ranching alive in tough country.

Key Topics:

The threat of industrial solar on public and private lands
Ranching in extreme conditions: drought, range management, and culture
Arizona's lost homesteads and surviving family legacies
Trading post history and Navajo relations
A call to keep ranching alive across generations

Casey Murph X

The Collapse & Comeback of American Family Dairies @ Jr Burdick | #Ep 66

The Regenaissance — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500

JR Burdick tells the story of how his family lost their dairy farm during the 1980s farm crisis—and how they eventually got back on the land. He shares what it was like growing up in the barn, watching his dad rebuild from nothing, and later taking over the operation himself. This episode dives into the realities of co-ops, milk pricing, and the shift from conventional to regenerative dairy.

Key Topics:

How the 1980s farm crisis wiped out thousands of dairies
The rise and fall of dairy co-ops in America
First-hand stories from three generations of family farming
Industrial agriculture vs. integrity in milk production
Rebuilding through faith, grit, and regenerative values

Nourishing Family Farms Website
Nourishing Family Farms Facebook
Jr Burdick's X

Soil Secrets To Regenerative Ag @ Ailts Agronomy | #Ep 65

The Regenaissance — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Agronomist Joe Ailts dives deep into the secrets of soil biology and regenerative practices that could revolutionize crop production, reduce chemical inputs, and restore land health.

Key topics discussed:

The hidden power of soil microbes and their potential to transform agriculture.
Practical regenerative practices for transitioning conventional farmers.
Cover cropping strategies and their real-world impacts on yield and soil health.
The complex debate around herbicide usage, glyphosate, and the future of weed management.
Using soil testing and biological treatments to maximize plant productivity naturally.

Ailts Agronomy X
Ailts Agronomy Website
Ailts Agronomy Facebook

The Dawn Of 'The Regenerative Age' @ Jason Mauck | Ep #64

The Regenaissance — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, I sit down with regenerative farmer Jason Mauck to explore how nature—not tech—is the true path to solving modern crises, reclaiming food, land, and life through design, experimentation, and reconnection.

Key topics discussed:

Why returning to nature is the only viable answer to modern systemic breakdowns
How intercropping, alley cropping, and relay cropping redefine agricultural efficiency
The economic and infrastructural roadblocks to decentralizing meat and food systems
How parenting, entrepreneurship, and food sovereignty intersect on a modern farm
Practical pathways for reconnecting to nature—starting with a houseplant

Jason Mauck X

My Ostriches Made COVID Antibodies—Why Is CFIA Culling Them? @ Universal Ostrich Farms | Ep #63

The Regenaissance — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Katie’s ostrich farm in British Columbia fights federal agencies seeking to cull 400 healthy ostriches in an effort to shut down groundbreaking research into natural antibodies and sustainable agriculture.

Key topics discussed:
- Ostrich antibodies for human health and disease prevention

- Partnership with Japan’s Dr. Sakamoto and global patents

- COVID-era suppression of immune-based research

- Government culling orders and legal pushback

- Threats to natural immunity, food sovereignty, and farm independence

Save Our Ostriches:

Website
Donate
Instagram
X
Rumble
Updates + Additional Info

Land Ownership Myths - Who Really Controls? @ Trent Loos | Ep #62

The Regenaissance — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Trent Loos, a sixth-generation rancher, explores critical challenges and opportunities in agriculture today.

Key topics discussed:

Corporate influence and data privacy in farming
Controversial USDA poultry practices
Experiences from ranching and veteran advocacy
Navigating equipment challenges, particularly John Deere
Building resilient, community-based food systems

Trent's Website
Trent's X
Trent's Podcast

Farming Without Poison @Jeff Murphy | Ep #61

The Regenaissance — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Jeff Murphy, a fifth-generation Kansas farmer, shares his shift from industrial ag engineer to regenerative practitioner. From feedlot lagoons to heritage grains, he unpacks the true cost of “efficiency” and why rebuilding local, chemical-free food systems is the future. A raw, personal look at legacy, land, and doing things differently.

Murphy Generation Farms Website
Murphy Generation Farms Instagram

Bringing Integrity To Fast Food @ Jesse & Ben's | Ep #60

The Regenaissance — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Today I talk with Jesse Konig about building a better fast food system—one without shortcuts, seed oils, or mystery meat. From pandemic pivots to CPG disruption, we try and explore what it really takes to bring integrity to fries and burgers.

Jesse & Ben's website
Jesse's Instagram
Jesse's X

Returning To Farming @ Rust Belt Kid | Ep #59

The Regenaissance — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Jack Zwart, known as Rust Belt Kid, is a regenerative farmer with deep roots in the industrial heartland. We talked about his journey returning to farming, the intersection of manufacturing and agriculture, and his passion for regenerative practices. It was inspiring to discuss how personal and regional histories shape our relationship with farming and the land.

Rust Belt Kid on X

The Importance Of Small-Scale Processing @ Gunthorp Farms | Ep #58

The Regenaissance — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Greg Gunther is a farmer and processor who has navigated immense challenges and successes in agriculture. We talked about his journey through the hog market crash of the 90s, building a USDA-inspected processing plant on his farm, and the importance of small-scale processing and direct-to-consumer marketing. To speak with someone deeply experienced in farming and committed to inspiring future generations in agriculture was fascinating and insightful.

Gunthorp Farms Website
Gunthorp Farm's Instagram

Orthomolecular Farming @ Helios Farms | Ep #57

The Regenaissance — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 10:52:41 -0500

I genuinely have loved every single episode that I have recorded thus far. That being said, this has been my favorite for a multitude of reasons, including:

- What orthomolecular farming is and why they chose this type of farming
- How their soy-free eggs allowed a 3 year old to consume eggs without going into septic shock like he normally would
- Beauty of raw milk
- Faith and farming
- Growing up on a farm and first butchering experience
- The need for a decentralized food system
- Much more in this 90 minute episode!

Helios Twitter
Helio Website

Prop 12 and Raising Pigs w/ Sam @ Sweetwater Farm & Ranch Co | Ep #56

The Regenaissance — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Sam from Sweetwater Farm & Ranch Co returns for another episode where we talk about California Proposition 12, raising pigs in CAFOs (concentrated animal fedding operation) vs pasture raised, trying to sell to local restaurants, and what the future of raising pigs could look like in America where the industry is very centralized.

Sweetwater Website
Sweetwater IG

First Gen Farming & Cheesemaking with Hannah Gongola | Ep #55

The Regenaissance — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:47:51 -0600

Hannah Gongola is a first-generation farmer and cheesemaker. We talked about what made her want to take the path she has taken, including some interesting stories of how her agricultural experiences have impacted her life. This was a fun one speaking with someone from the younger generations, especially given the average age of a farmer is nearly 60 years old.

Hannah's IG

Raising Mangalica Pigs w/ Kenan @ Acorn Bluffs Farm | Ep #54

The Regenaissance — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0600

Kenan alongside his brother, started Acorn Bluff Farms, where they raised an interesting and hairy breed of pig, Mangalica.
We covered what this breed of pig is and why those chose it, the massive problems we face in the pig industry, and how they fit well into the farming ecosystem.

Acorn Bluff Farms Website
Acorn Bluff Farms IG
Acorn Bluff Farms Twitter

Pushing Back To Raw Milk Lies w/ Mark McAfee @ Raw Farm | Ep #53

The Regenaissance — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0600

Mark McAfee of Raw Farm returns to the podcast to talk on what exactly happened that forced him to quarantine the farm and stop production for 6 weeks. We then what makes raw milk such liquid gold.

First episode with Mark
Raw Farm Website
Raw Farm IG

Advocating For Farmers and Ranchers w/ Judith McGeary @ Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance | Ep #52

The Regenaissance — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0600

Judith McGeary is an attorney, activist, sustainable farmer, and executive director of Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance. This episode covered policy and law around agriculture.

Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance Website

First Gen Farming w/ Matthew @ Little Way Farm and Homestead | Ep #51

The Regenaissance — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0600

Matthew is a first-generation farmer and homesteader and had the pleasure of talking about his journey and wanting to help others start their own farm/ranch/homestead. This is a great conversation for folks who have a desire to start producing their own food, no matter the size.

Matthew's Twitter Which You Should Follow
Matthew's Website

From Pharmacy to Raising a Family on A Ranch with Natalie Kovarik | Ep #50

The Regenaissance — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0600

Had a great conversation with Natalie Kovarik, who grew up on a cattle ranch before deciding to pursue pharmacy where she experienced city life. She then moved to Nebraska with her husband, a rancher, and now works together at Kovarik Cattle Co and raising their family. In this episode we talked about:

- Growing up on a ranch and moving to the city
- Being a pharmacist before moving back to the country to start a ranch
- Raising a family on a ranch and what that looks like for her children
- What you may miss by living in a city your whole life

Natalie Kovarik's IG
Natalie Kovarik's Website
Discover Ag IG
Kovarik Cattle Co IG

Financing For Regenerative and Organic Farms with Brandon Welch @ Mad Capital | Ep #49

The Regenaissance — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 19:08:50 -0600

In this episode we talk all things financing in the world of agriculture with Brandon Welch from Mad Capital. Mad Capital is "The most flexible, transparent, and customized financing built exclusively for organic, regenerative, and transitioning farmers."

Mad Capital Website

Growing Up on a Regenerative Farm with Rich Bradbury | Ep #48

The Regenaissance — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 17:29:03 -0600

Rich Bradbury grew up on a regenerative farm before the term came to be. His parents were ahead of the curve and passed down their wealth of knowledge to Rich. Rich is not just a regenerative rancher but also a ranch broker and the president of Adel Water Improvement District.

We talked on:

- Having regenerative parents
- What led him to starting Carn Grassfed Cattle
- Living in Russia managing 4,000 head of cattle
- Finding land to lease/buy

Factory Farming to Regenerative with Darby Livingston | Ep #47

The Regenaissance — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0600

This is one of two episodes I have done so far with folks that were raised in the factory farming model, woke up to the reality of the industry, and made the change to regenerative.

We talk about:

- Whole world of factory farming and dealing with the biggest companies like Tyson
- Learning about the destructive nature of it all
- Switching to regenerative and thinking about food as medicine

Becoming First Generation Farmer @ Shirttail Creek Farms | Ep #46

The Regenaissance — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0600

Sam Moffet is a first-generation farmer. We talk about his story and what led to his big decision to leave the city and start a farm. Sam has quickly etched himself in the Austin community, working with another local farm to provide their products in two farm stores in the heart of Austin.

What makes a nutrient-dense egg? Does color matter? Is farming worth the risk? Cover all of that in this episode.

Blake Alexandre @ Alexandre Family Farms | Ep #45

The Regenaissance — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0600

Alexandre Family Farms has become a well-known dairy in America, providing A2/A2 Vat Pasteurized dairy in grocery stores nationwide.

We talk about:
- All things dairy
- Raw v pasteurized
- Family history behind the farm,
- Why their milk tastes so dang good
- Why plastic?
- Making America Healthy Again

Alexandre Family Farms IG
Alexandre Family Farms Website

Grass-fed, Carrot Finished Beef @ Santa Carota Beef | Ep #43

The Regenaissance — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 04:30:00 -0500

I sat down in person with Justin Pettit of Santa Carota Beef, which has a wild back story including grandfather moving out west in the early 1900's, sleeping in a tent and starting his farm, dealing with Mexican cartels, leading up to the present day and much much more to the story.

Santa Carota finish their cattle on....carrots. You read that right, carrots! They are next to some of the largest carrot producers in the world, upcycling the waste to feed Santa Carota Beef. We talk about how that works, the health of the animals and beef, the regenerative agriculture movement, and making America healthy again!

Santa Carota Website
Santa Carota IG

Digital Farmer's Market @ Frozen Logistics | Ep #44

The Regenaissance — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 04:30:00 -0500

Continuing the conversation with Justin Pettit from Santa Carota Beef, also sat down with Wesley from Frozen Logistics, which aims to provide a digital farmer's market through DeliveredCold. We talked about how farmers and ranchers can work together with Welsey as a way to provide your goods direct to consumer. Frozen Logistics/Delivered Cold is an incredible opportunity for a consumer to go online to their digital farmer's market, getting produce, meats, prepackaged foods, breads and baked goods, BBQ and cooked meats delivered straight to your door. It gives you a way to see full transparency, avoiding buying beef from the grocery store without a clue where it's from.

Santa Carota Website
Santa Carota IG
Frozen Logistics
Delivered Cold

The Food Manufacturing Guy | Ep #42

The Regenaissance — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 14:21:16 -0500

Siete was all over the news recently when they sold their company to Pepsi Co for $1,200,000,000. This episode is about all things food manufacturing as it is a very messy industry, especially in America.

Ingredients that are allowed in America but not anyone else, what do companies do to cut corners and increase their profit margins, and how can we trust a brand after selling? Cover all of that in this episode.

Regenerative Meal Prep @Seasons ATX | Ep #41

The Regenaissance — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0500

This conversation was all about supporting regenerative agriculture locally. How can we support our local farmers and ranchers while also providing a meal delivery service that does just that plus the meals actually taste amazing? That's SeasonsATX.

Founders Jason & Jeremiah wanted to provide a meal delivery service that sources ingredients locally from regenerative farms and ranches. We dive into how they started the business and how we can better support the regenerative agriculture movement moving forward.

"Regenerative, Artisanal, Local Food

We source our ingredients from local Texas farmers and ranchers who tend to their land and livestock using traditional techniques that support the environment, rather than degrade it. Once their harvest is in our hands, we strive to tend to it with as much care as they do. We make all of our dishes from scratch using nutrient-rich ingredients like fresh herbs, in-house rendered fats, sea salt, and slow cook bone broths. We choose to cook with filtered water and no seed oils."

SeasonsATX
SeasonsATX IG

Kevin Silverman @ Kateri Carbon | Ep #40

The Regenaissance — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Had the pleasure of sitting down in person with Kevin Silverman where we got to talk about all things carbon, utilizing modern technologies to enhance agriculture, regenerative agriculture principles, and hope for the future in agriculture.

Kateri carbon - "We’re producers & stewards implementing scientifically-backed grazing techniques that enhance soil health & carbon storage."

Kateri website

AJ Richards @ From the Farm | Ep #39

The Regenaissance — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 03:30:00 -0500

America's total beef heard is now the lowest its been since 1949. AJ Richards came back on the show to talk about how that has happened and everything he is doing with From the Farm, which just recently launched with the aim of connecting producers and consumers in a digital farmer's market.

From the Farm
From the Farm IG
AJ Richards IG

Author Mark Easter, The Blue Plate | Ep #38

The Regenaissance — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 03:30:00 -0500

I sat down with Ecologist and Author, Mark Easter to discuss his new book, The Blue Plate.

"Ecologist Mark Easter offers a detailed picture of the impact the foods you love have on the earth. Organized by the ingredients of a typical dinner party, including seafood, salad, bread, chicken, steak, potatoes, and fruit pie with ice cream, each chapter examines the food through the lens of the climate crisis. Gathered like guests around the table, here are the stories of these foods: the soil that grew the lettuce, the farmers and ranchers and orchardists who steward the land, the dairy and farm workers and grocers who labor to bring it to the table. Each chapter reveals the causes and effects of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the social and environmental impact of out-of-season and ar-from-home demand."

Amazon The Blue Plate

Dan Kittredge @ The Bionutrient Institute | Ep #37

The Regenaissance — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Dan Kittredge is the founder of The Bionutrient Institute, an incredible organization studying soil health and nutrient density. He also grew up on a farm and has been involved in agriculture for most of his life. This was a great conversation talking about his journey leading up to starting The Bionutrient Institute, traveling the world visiting farms and ranches, food as medicine, soil health, and his research on nutrient density and what that entails.

The Bionutrient Institute

Mollie Engelhart @ Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery/Sovereignty Ranch | Ep #36

The Regenaissance — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Chef Mollie Engelhart is the founder of Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery, formally known as Sage Vegan Bistro. She made the decision to switch from a fully vegan restaurant to a regenerative kitchen, including meats. In this episode we talk about her journey with all of this, the challenges she has faced and is currently facing, starting Sovereignty Ranch, and the current reality of regenerative agriculture. Is it working?

As a former vegan myself, this was a conversation I have been really looking forward to. There is an alternative to factory farming, using and abusing animals and that is regenerative agriculture.

Chef Mollie Engelhart IG
Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery
Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery IG
Sovereignty Ranch
Sovereignty Ranch IG

Austin Allred @ Royal Family Farming | Ep #35

The Regenaissance — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Austin Allred comes from a strong lineage of farmers, including his extended family. This was a great conversation hearing the structure of his large family operation, how they use their skillsets for a certain aspect of the business.

We also talked about operating a large farm, having to get creative to ensure soil health and provide healthy products, and using all of the cow manure to help fertilize their fields.

This is a great episode to see a glimpse in a large, multi-generational farm.

Royal Family Farming IG

Steven McBee @ McBee Farm & Cattle Co | Ep #34

The Regenaissance — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 12:23:50 -0500

Steven McBee is a farmer, rancher, helicopter pilot, and even has his own reality show on Peacock called The McBee Dynasty. This was a great and very candid conversation. Steven and his family oversee 40,000 acres of farm and ranchland.

We talked about:

-His father starting McBee Farm & Cattle Co
-Quickly expanding to 40,000 acres
-Issues that arise from trying to manage, scale, and make the large operation profitable
-Transitioning to regenerative models
-How we can come together to better agriculture as a whole
-The McBee Dynasty

I really enjoyed this conversation because the one thing we the people cannot do is vilify every farmer and rancher that has been doing things conventionally. We will never make improvements or have folks wanting to be open to implementing regenerative methods if we cannot sit together at the table and have conversations.

Steven McBee IG
McBee Farm & Cattle Co IG
McBee Farm & Cattle Co Website
The McBee Dynasty TV Show

Dustin Kittle @ Snow Creek Ranch | Ep #33

The Regenaissance — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0500

The most important podcast episode I have done thus far. Dustin Kittle is currently suing Joe Biden after going to hell and back with the US Farm Credit, the Farm Bureau, and the USDA. In this episode, he talks about the acts of treason committed by these organizations and the hell they have put Dustin through.

He also grew up on a large poultry production farm in Alabama, where his father had 30,000 chickens raised for meat birds (broilers), and the experience working for one of the biggest poultry production companies.

This barely scratches the surface of what Dustin discussed in this episode, and there will be a part two.

Twitter
Dustin's website

TJ @ ACTS Decentralized Real Estate | Ep #32

The Regenaissance — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0500

This is a rather unique episode but also why I love the world of agriculture, so much goes into it! TJ, founder of ACTS Decentralized Real Estate is building homestead/farming/ranching communities throughout America. If you have ever thought about "getting off the grid" or building your own homestead or ranch, then this is the episode for you.

We cover:

-The whole program TJ provides, from reserving your parcel of land, to the actual finances of it all, what to expect when building your home and layout of your property, and much more!

ACTS Decentralized Website
ACTS Decentralized IG

Bryce Mitchell | Ep #31

The Regenaissance — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 02:00:00 -0500

As an official sponsor of MMA athlete Bryce Mitchell, I was fortunate enough to visit his farm and do the podcast in person. Bryce, who fights in the featherweight division, is also a first-generation farmer. We dive into why he made that decision, his plans with the farm, and why he wants to help educate America and the world on agriculture.

Bryce Mitchell Instagram

Cody Spencer | Ep #30

The Regenaissance — Wed, 22 May 2024 04:00:00 -0500

In this episode we talk all things bison! Cody has an awesome story to share:

Growing up on a farm
Then diving head first into the bison world, learning as much as he could
Working on his first bison ranch, eventually working with his own small herd there
Helping start Force of Nature's Roam Ranch in Fredericksburg, Texas with the founders of EPIC
Working with the great Nicole Masters

And we talked on the history of bison and why they are so great for our land! I really enjoyed this one considering bison is the main logo for this brand.

Cody Spencer's Website

Kevin Muno @ Perennial Pastures | Ep #29

The Regenaissance — Wed, 15 May 2024 04:00:00 -0500

"With the focus of bringing more healing to the community and to the grassroots of Southern California, Kevin founded Perennial Pastures Ranch in the midst of the pandemic in 2021. The Muno family, along with our team of passionate individuals who make up the Perennial family, work hard everyday to make our beef more accessible to you and educate our expanding community on the power of regeneration."

Perennial Pastures
IG
Twitter

Kyle Kingsbury @ Gardners of Eden | Ep #28

The Regenaissance — Fri, 10 May 2024 13:58:18 -0500

Former MMA fighter, Kyle Kingsbury is a first-generational farmer at Gardners of Eden, a nonprofit regenerative farm that puts a heavy emphasis on education! He has also been a part of Fit for Service, which hosts "Transformational events with master coaches" and is meant to help folks be Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, Spiritually, Romantically, and Financially Fit.

I really enjoyed sitting down in person with Kyle as he shares his passion with regenerative agriculture, connection to the land, and wanted to help educate others.

Gardners of Eden IG
Fit for Service IG
Fit for Service
Kyle Kingsbury's IG

Joel Salatin @ Polyface Farms | Ep #27

The Regenaissance — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 11:09:48 -0500

One of the legends and pioneers in the space, it was amazing getting to have Joel Salatin on the podcast. We briefly covered his backstory, current agriculture climate and the proposed animal tagging, chicken feed, what can be done to bring more folks into the regenerative ag space, and more!

Kelli Foreman @ The Last Little Farm | Ep #26

The Regenaissance — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0500

Kelli is a fifth-generation farmer, growing up in Nebraska, now farming in Kodiak, Alaska. It was great hearing her story and what led her to moving Kodiak, Alaska which is only accessible by boat. She is the owner of The Last Small Farm, putting a big emphasis on education. She hosts camps, retreats, and summer internships

Sam @ Sweet Water Farm & Ranch Co | Ep #25

The Regenaissance — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 17:24:20 -0500

Sam is a first-generation farmer along with his brothers and father. He shares a great story of how and why he started, growing pains along the way, stories from customers, experiences working with retail stores and restaurants, pasture v store-bought, conventionally raised pork, and more!

John Pantalone @ Amber Oaks Ranch | Ep #24

The Regenaissance — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 11:49:39 -0500

I had the pleasure of sitting down in person with John Pantalone from Amber Oaks Ranch. I enjoyed this conversation hearing his story, talking about a serious problem in agriculture that's not talked about (suicide), the pros and cons of farmer's markets, self-sovereignty, and more!

Travis Browne @ Browsey Acres | Ep #23

The Regenaissance — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 13:28:48 -0500

Former MMA fighter Travis Browne has always been an avid hunter, making him think about where his food comes from. He and his wife, Rhonda Rousey started Browsey Acres when they bought their first Wagyu, Kobe. We talked about his first experience raising Kobe as well as the day Travis harvested him. Travis is a first-generation rancher, so it was awesome hearing him dive deep into the regenerative agriculture world, expanding his operation, and wanting to help educate others.

Browsey Acres
Browsey Acres IG
Travis Browne IG

SolBrah | Ep #22

The Regenaissance — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 09:51:12 -0600

This is unlike any episode I have done so far. SolBrah does not work in agriculture but he is one Twitter account that has had a major impact on my life and helped me overcome the very things that led me to start Regenaissance. I was able to sit down with him in person to share my personal experiences from my time with my brother as his caretaker and help my mother, who both are now gone. We then dived into the healthcare system, food system, taking back our health and something that's not discussed enough, your mindset and what you tell others but most importantly, yourself. This is one of the most meaningful conversations I have had in my life because I have been following him for years, folks might disagree with his viewpoints but there is no denying what he preaches works, I'm living proof.

He just released his book, The Sol Way, which can be purchased here

Mark McAfee @ Raw Farm | Ep #21

The Regenaissance — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 12:39:55 -0600

Mark McAfee is one of the leading pioneers in raw dairy. He started Raw Farm in California back in 1997 and has seen an explosion of growth since then. I really enjoyed this conversation where Mark talked about:

- How he started Raw Farm
- History of raw milk
- Health benefits and research behind raw dairy
- Dairy farm crisis in America

And more!

Twitter
Instagram
Their website

Chaz @ Grassway Organics | Ep #20

The Regenaissance — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 12:58:22 -0600

I really enjoyed this conversation, especially since Chaz is also a former vegan. Chaz has a really interesting backstory leading up to starting Grassway Organics, dairy farm that has since expanded with pasture-raised chickens for eggs and meat, turkeys, and farrow hogs.

You will learn a lot about the raw dairy world in this podcast as Chaz explains his whole process to ensure the safety precautions are in place in order to provide this superfood!

Their website
Instagram

Logan @ Fire & Farm | Ep #19

The Regenaissance — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 09:35:56 -0600

It was great talking to Logan, a farmer in Saskatchewan, Canada. Saskatchewan has brutal weather, especially in the winter, it was interesting hearing his perspective from his upbringing, his passion in agriculture, attending one of the best agriculture universities in Canada, his experience working in ag retail and expanding on ag chemicals that folks use to spray crops, and him making the leap of faith starting his own farm starting with cattle. I really enjoyed this conversation as Logan has a great perspective on agriculture. He works day to day in the conventional side of agriculture while also trying to help educate on regenerative side of ag.

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠Website

Will Harris @ White Oak Pastures | Ep #18

The Regenaissance — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 02:00:00 -0600

This one is very special to me. Being disconnected from food my whole life and not switching into agriculture until last year, I dove right in when I first discovered regenerative agriculture. That's when I quickly heard about Will Harris at White Oak Pastures, in Bluffton, Georgia. As a 6th generational farmer, Will was raised in the conventional model, which he continued to do once he took over.

In this episode he shares his experiences farming the conventional way, what led him to switch to grass-fed and finished beef (WholeFoods first ever grass-finished beef producer), and eventually switching from conventional farming to a more regenerative way. He has been a pioneer in this movement and it was an absolute honor hearing his story.

He has appeared on many other podcasts such as Joe Rogan (twice, highly recommend listening to both). His new book, A Bold Return to Giving a Damn was recently released, which I also highly recommend you read!

White Oak Pastures
Twitter
Instagram
A Bold Return to Giving a Damn

Eric Perner @ REP Provisions | Ep #17

The Regenaissance — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 02:00:00 -0600

Eric Perner, a regenerative rancher himself, is the founder and CEO of REP Provisions, a direct-to-consumer brand that works with local regenerative farms and ranches to provide high quality, nutrient dense meats along with sauces that aren't filled with BS.

Eric has an interested background being really involved in equestrian growing up, working in the energy industry and now going all in on regenerative agriculture. A big advocate for holistic management, we also talk on Allan Savory and what that work entails. Lastly, we talk on the nutritent quality of his beef vs conventional.

Instagram
Twitter
Their website

Amy Hay @ Sell Beef Direct/Waikikahei Ranch | Ep #16

The Regenaissance — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0600

Amy Hay is the founder of Sell Beef Direct, which aims to help farmers and ranchers around the globe incorporate selling beef direct to consumer. Surprisingly, only 8% sell direct to consumer in America. She is also a first-generation rancher with her husband, Scott at Waikikahei Ranch in Canada.

I had a blast talking to her about leaving the city to start their ranch, along with helping educate so many folks online on marketing direct to consumer, which will only get bigger as time goes on. She has a wealth of knowledge to share!

Sell Beef Direct

Sell Beef Direct Instagram

Waikikahei Ranch

Waikikahei Ranch Instagram

Nate Pontius @ Pontius Ranches | Ep #15

The Regenaissance — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0600

I was fortunate enough to sit down in person with Nate Pontius. He has had a wild journey that has led him to where he is now, working on his ranch in Texas. I really enjoyed this conversation talking about:

- Growing up in rural Illinois

- Serving in the military and trying to acclimate back into the civilian world

- Starting out homeless and finding his way in LA, which eventually led him to Texas to start a ranch

- Being a sovereign individual

- The experience of working the land compared to living in a major city such as LA

And much more!

Nate's personal IG

Pontius Ranches

Nate is also the co-founder of HomeBodies, an online fitness program that also includes nutrition, a community aspect, and many free resources.

Wilder Jones @ Wild Spaces Farm | Ep #14

The Regenaissance — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0600

I sat down with Wilder Jones, the founder of Wild Spaces Farm. He was raised in the agriculture space, as his father started and has scaled their organic farm, https://www.kingscrownorganics.com/https://www.kingscrownorganics.com/.

This was an awesome conversation that could have lasted all day and night. We talked about:

- Growing up on an organic farm

- What brought him back to agriculture in his twenties, going back to his dad's farm to help, and starting his own farm nearby

- Raw dairy

And much more!

Stephan van Vliet | Ep #13

The Regenaissance — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0600

Dr. Stephan van Vliet is an amazing researcher in the agriculture space. He has done extensive research on grain v grass fed, plant based v meat, and now nutrition and regenerative agriculture. We talked about all of that in this awesome episode. Enjoy!

Charles Mayfield @ Farrow Skincare | Ep #12

The Regenaissance — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 07:15:00 -0600

Charles Mayfield is the founder of Farrow Skincare, products derived from lard. This was a great discussion on Charles' agriculture journey, switching into regenerative agriculture, all things pig, and the importance of proper skincare. I found this really interesting because tallow and butter are making a resurgence but we don't hear much about lard with its negative connotations. This may change your opinion on that and pigs overall.

Linda & Larry Faillace @ Three Shepherds Cheese | Ep #11

The Regenaissance — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 07:15:00 -0600

This story is a wild one. Linda & Larry Faillace wanted to start their own sheep farm revolving around cheese. She talks in detail of the hellish journey she and her family have had to endure caused by the USDA, which made Three Shepherds Cheese their scapegoat in order to convince Congress to give them $450 million in funding for a new research facility in Ames, Iowa. A very inspiring story showcasing Faillace's resilience.

Ryan Griggs @ Founder/CEO of Regenaissance | Ep #10

The Regenaissance — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 10:48:16 -0600

I sat down with my great friends Brett & Harry of the Meat Mafia to share my full story.

I started Regenaissance because of what I’ve gone through the last 3 years:

-Brother’s caretaker for 6 months as I watched colon cancer, chemo, all the opoids torture him alive, eventually taking his life

-My mother passing away same day this launched

-Healthcare absolutely failing me last 2 years, embarking on my own hellish journey to where I searched independent and finally got answers

America spends $4.5 trillion on healthcare (would be 4th highest GPD in the world) and where does that get us?

-75% of Americans are overweight, obese or severely obese

-66% of children’s diets are ultra processed junk, which causes Non alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (rates have more than doubled last 10 years)

We are the only country in the world that allows these pharmaceutical drug commercials being shoved down our throats (New Zealand doesn’t count)

Relying on the institutions that we are supposed to trust have gotten us here.

And that is why Regenaissance is about reconnecting us back to our food, it will change your life meeting ranchers/farmers and having their fresh, nutrient dense food.

Jaclyn Wilson @ Flying Diamond Beef | Ep #9

The Regenaissance — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 07:15:00 -0600

I really enjoyed this conversation with Jaclyn Wilson!
We talked on:
- Growing up on the ranch and the mentality around continuing on the family legacy
- Pushing back to activism saying she's causing climate change with cattle
- Envirosmart beef label

- Her travels to Europe, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia to see their agriculture compared to America
- The topic of being called a "redneck" or "hick"
And much more!

Chris Hiatt @ American Honey Producers Association | Ep #8

The Regenaissance — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 07:15:00 -0600

I talked with Chris Hiatt, born and raised in the world of beekeeping, owner of Hiatt Honey Co and the President of the American Honey Producers Association about:

- Growing up in the world of beekeeping

- The process of beekeeping

- Issues with the bee population

- What is the American Honey Producers Association

- What we can do to help the bees

Jacob Wolki @ Wolki Farms | Ep #7

The Regenaissance — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 07:30:00 -0500

First-generation farmer down in Australia, Jacob Wolki talks about making the switch to regenerative agriculture and what that experience has been like since 2020. He has since continued to expand his farm, adding a 24/7 butchery, talking about direct-to-consumer, his core values which he calls the Wolki Farm Flywheel, and why he is a Bitcoiner.

Kara & Jeff Smith @ Colorado Craft Beef | Ep #6

The Regenaissance — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 07:30:00 -0500

I was fortunate enough to sit down in person with Kara & Jeff Smith from Colorado Craft Beef. I absolutely loved this conversation, hearing Kara's story growing up on a ranch with such rich history, working in feedlots, grain v grassfed beef, economics of ranching, and more.

Discover the unparalleled taste and quality of Colorado Craft Beef. As rising leaders in the US meat delivery ranch-to-table space, we continue to surpass our customers' expectations and offer subscriptions nationwide. Elevate your dining experience with our curated burger and steak boxes, and savor how we use innovative, responsible animal and land management practices to create a delicious, high-quality protein source for you and your family.

Dax Hansen @ Oatman Farms | Ep #5

The Regenaissance — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0500

After nearly losing the very farm that Dax grew up with, he decided to buy the property and transitioned from conventional cotton and raising horses to certified organic, regenerative wheat.

We talk about:

- Challenges with farming in the Arizona desert, getting less than 5 inches of rain a year

- Why gluten issues are so prevalent in America

- Their whole process from planting wheat to harvesting and selling

- Bitcoin and farming

AJ Richards @ Feed The People By The People | Ep #4

The Regenaissance — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 10:36:04 -0500

AJ Richards is the founder of Feed The People By The People, a platform that will be released in the coming months as a way to connect you locally with your food. He is also ramping up a processing plant in Utah called Utah Beef Producers. This was a great discussion on the food supply chain and how we got to where we are today with the massive processing bottleneck in America.

Ron Miskin @ Buffalo Wool Co | Ep #3

The Regenaissance — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 10:52:09 -0500

Ron is the founder of Buffalo Wool Co, where he makes garments out of bison wool. This was interesting hearing about his process of making the garments because bison, cows, etc are not just for food but much much more.

Jason Wrich @ Wrich Ranches | Ep #2

The Regenaissance — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 10:51:41 -0500

I really enjoyed this conversation with Jason Wrich, a regenerative rancher in Colorado. He has a wealth of knowledge to share, going into detail about his operation, why he does grass-fed and finished for his cattle, and much more!

FAFO Farms TX | Ep #1

The Regenaissance — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 10:50:38 -0500

Clinton & Christina are first-generation farmers, it was great hearing their backstory and how they transitioned to being farmers, the costs of incorporating meat chickens in their operation, and trying to start raw dairy.