Ranch Stewards Podcast
A podcast dedicated to the stewardship and conservation of grasslands, diverse ecological landscapes, and the salt-of-the-earth individuals who devote their lives to this endeavor.
Mini Series: RSA's The People Behind the Mission | Maida Knapton, Mapping Specialist
In this episode of Ranch Stewards Podcast, we kick off our new mini series, RSA's The People Behind the Mission, where we sit down with members of the RSA team to learn about their backgrounds, their work, and what it's like being part of RSA.
First up is Maida Knapton, who serves as RSA's Mapping Specialist. Maida shares her passion for working lands, the people who care for them, and practical conservation on the ground.
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The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality...
From Paradigm Shifts to Profit: A Ranching for Profit Roundtable
In this episode, Dallas Mount, Wes Salveson, and Aaron DeVries share their journeys into ranching, the impact of Ranching for Profit, and practical insights on grazing practices, business management, and succession planning. Perfect for ranchers looking to improve profitability and land stewardship.
Dallas Mount's background and journey into ranchingImpact of Ranching for Profit on business practicesInnovative grazing practices in winterImportance of succession planning in ranchingLand stewardship and sustainable practicesResources:Â
Man, Cattle, Veld: Book by Johann Zietsman
Knowledge Rich Ranching by Allan Nation
Quality Pasture by Allan Nation
Stewardship Across Generations: The Webb Ranch and Future of the RSA Grassbank Program
In this episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, Communications Director Lauren Pettoruto sits down with third generation rancher Bill Webb and RSA's Executive Director Angel DeVries to explore the history of the Webb Ranch, the importance of grazing and conservation for healthy working lands, and how the RSA Grassbank Program is creating new opportunities for the next generation of ranchers.Â
From family legacy and conservation to mentorship and the future of agriculture, this conversation highlights the people and partnerships helping keep working lands working.
Support the show
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) i...
Paying Kids, Planning Retirement, Protecting the Ranch Now
Most ranch families know they need to have financial conversations. Far fewer actually sit down and have them.
In the Season 3 finale of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, host Haylie Shipp sits down with financial advisor Ty McDonald for an honest discussion about the topics many agricultural families tend to put off: paying kids through the ranch operation, retirement planning, succession conversations, and preparing both the ranch and the people behind it for the future.
Together, Haylie and Ty discuss:
 Paying children through ranch operations  Retirement planning for ranch families  When to begin talking about trans...Hands-On Learning for the Next Generation
Looking for practical conversations about the future of agriculture, ranch labor, and the people who keep working lands working? The Ranch Workforce Project Podcast Series brings together ranch managers, educators, consultants, and agricultural leaders to tackle real-world workforce challenges facing the industry today.
Created through a collaboration between the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program, this limited series explored hiring, onboarding, mentorship, burnout, retention, internships, compensation, and building stronger pathways into agriculture.
Ranch Workforce Project Episode Guide
1. Introducing the Ranch Workforce Project
https://www...
Ranch Insight: Sheep Industry Takeaways for Beef Producers
What can the beef industry learn from the rise and decline of the sheep industry?
In this final episode of the Rural Resilience webinar series, we are bringing you a replay of a live conversation with Brent Roeder, Montana State University Extension sheep specialist. Brent has spent his career in the sheep business, and in this talk he shares hard-earned lessons from decades of change, including global competition, shifting consumer demand, labor challenges, technology, and industry structure.
More importantly, Brent draws some striking parallels between the sheep and beef industries. These are trends he believes...
Ranch Water: Low-Tech, High-Impact Restoration
⚠️ Heads up: this is a dense, information-rich episode pulled directly from a live webinar. If able, you will want to watch the full video replay on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gzL3MsevnOY?si=nPpL5mv1pDfQAfkm
If audio is what you’ve got capacity for, you’re in the right place. This session explores Ranch Water: Low-Tech, High-Impact Restoration with Paul Jones of Tomichi Creek Ecosystem Services.
Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration (LTPBR) is a hands-on approach to rebuilding natural water systems. By working with natural stream processes, landowners can:
...No Fence, No Problem? Virtual Fencing on a Montana Forest Allotment
Not long ago, virtual fencing felt like a “maybe someday” idea. Today, ranchers are using it in some of the toughest country out there.
Virtual fencing isn’t exactly a new conversation anymore, but how and where it’s being used continues to evolve.
In this episode, we head off the prairie and into a forest allotment in western Montana. With rugged terrain, wildlife pressure, and little to no traditional fence, this is a real-world look at how the technology performs when things get complicated.
Host Haylie Shipp is joined by Jim Felt...
What Are Ranch Workers Really Worth?
What should ranch workers really be paid, and why is nobody talking about it?
Wages in agriculture can feel like a taboo subject, but avoiding the conversation is not helping anyone.
In this episode of the Ranch Workforce Project, host Haylie Shipp sits down with Dr. Rachel Frost and McKenzie Rojas of Arrow M Cattle Company to break down what compensation actually looks like in today’s ranching world.
McKenzie has built a strong following by saying the quiet part out loud. She tackles tough topics like pay, expectations, turnover, and tr...
Ranch Health: Cattle Vaccination Best Practices
If you’ve ever helped work cattle and thought, “I hope I’m doing this right,” this episode is for you.
This episode is an audio replay of a recorded webinar from the Rural Resilience series. As you listen, you may hear references to visual demonstrations and slides. If you’d like to follow along or watch the full webinar, you can view the video replay here:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEVQMhK5448&list=PL4o5WDFewKec-Wb2Wq09nTgdeTwf4vUV-&index=3
Healthy herds are the foundation of a resilient ranch. In this sessio...
Burnout on the Ranch: The Hidden Cost of Pushing Too Hard
Burnout in agriculture is often overlooked, but it carries real consequences for people, productivity, and profitability.
In this episode of the Ranch Workforce Project, host Haylie Shipp and co-host Dr. Rachel Frost (Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University) sit down with JD Hill of Padlock Ranch and Caroline Wild of Wild Ranch Solutions to explore burnout through both employer and employee lenses.
From missed details and rising costs to turnover and safety risks, burnout is more than a personal issue. It’s a business issue. This conversation dives into how ranch managers ca...
Why Your Best Employees Leave and How to Make Them Stay
You hired well. You trained well. Everything seemed right.
Then they left.
If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.
Employee turnover is one of the biggest challenges in agriculture today, and every time someone leaves, it costs time, energy, and momentum.
In this episode of The Ranch Workforce Project, Haylie Shipp and Rachel Frost (Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University) are joined by Chris Redman, former Turner Ranches manager, to break down what actually keeps employees on a ranch.
It is not just the paycheck.
<...Mutually Beneficial: Conservation Funding at Work on Ranches
What happens when ranchers, conservation partners, and local communities all pull in the same direction?
In this episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, we pull back the curtain on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance’s Conservation Committee.
Host Haylie Shipp is joined by Martin Townsend, Conservation Director for the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, and Leo Barthelmess, rancher and RSA Board Member currently serving as Co-Treasurer, for a conversation about how this committee came together, why it matters, and how it has become one of RSA’s most impactful efforts.
Wh...
How Good Onboarding Builds Better Ranch Employees
Hiring the right person is only the beginning. The way a new employee is introduced to a ranch operation can shape their success, confidence, and long-term future in agriculture.
In this episode, Haylie Shipp and Rachel Frost are joined by Aaron Paulson of Switchback Ranch to discuss why intentional onboarding is one of the most important and often overlooked parts of managing people in agriculture.
Drawing from years of experience supervising interns, apprentices, seasonal workers, and full-time employees, Aaron shares practical strategies for setting new hires up for success. From structured first-day orientation and clear...
Cracking the Code to the Ideal Ranch Employee
What makes a great ranch employee, and how do you actually find and hire them?
Cracking the Code to the Ideal Ranch Employee
Finding and hiring the right people can be one of the most frustrating, and most rewarding, parts of ranch management.
In this episode of the Ranch Workforce Project, host Haylie Shipp of the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and co-host Rachel Frost of the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University are joined by Dr. Trey Patterson, CEO of Padlock Ranch.
Together they discuss what it...
Eye in the Sky: Ranch Drones
What can a drone actually do on a working ranch, and is it worth the cost?
In this episode, Haylie Shipp sits down with rancher Kari Koss, The Nature Conservancy’s Jason Hanlon, and Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Mapping Specialist Maida Knapton to talk about the real world uses of drones in agriculture. From checking water and locating cattle to mapping prairie dog towns and monitoring vegetation, this conversation focuses on practical applications for producers in large, remote landscapes like northern Montana.
The group shares honest experiences about learning curves, price points, wind limitations, regulations, and ho...
Intentional Short Term Labor: Seasonal Work, Internships, and Apprenticeships Explained
Labor continues to be one of the biggest pressure points in agriculture. But when you are not hiring a full-time, long-term employee, the real question becomes: What kind of help do you actually need?
In this episode of the Ranch Workforce Project, host Haylie Shipp and co-host Rachel Frost sit down with Taylre Sitz Zempel of Sitz Angus Ranch and Dan Leahy of the Foundation for Ranch Management to break down the practical differences between seasonal labor, internships, and apprenticeships.
This conversation goes beyond definitions. It dives...
Bringing New Hands, New Ideas, and New Energy into the Agricultural Workforce
Every working ranch tells two stories, the one behind us, and the one we are still trying to write.
This episode marks the beginning of a 10 episode limited series collaboration between Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program. Together, the series focuses on one of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture today, labor.
In Episode 1, host Haylie Shipp is joined by co host Rachel Frost and guest Marty Ropp to explore why the traditional agricultural labor pipeline is no longer enough. The...
Ranch Tech: GPS Tags & Drone Seeding
This episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast features the audio-only version of a Rural Resilience webinar, created for listeners who prefer to learn on the go. The full video presentation is available for those who would like to see visuals and demonstrations.
In this episode, ranchers share real-world examples of how technology is changing land and livestock management while supporting long-term stewardship.
Rancher Ryan Lankford explains how GPS ear tags help him monitor cattle across large landscapes and make better management decisions whether he is on the ranch or away.
Custom grazer Steve...
Introducing the Ranch Workforce Project
The Ranch Workforce Project is a limited series podcast collaboration between the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and Montana State University’s Dan Scott Ranch Management Program. While the series is rooted in ranching, the conversations are relevant across all of agriculture, including farming, orchards, specialty crop operations, and diversified agricultural businesses facing workforce challenges.
In this preview episode, host Haylie Shipp is joined by Rachel Frost to introduce the purpose of the series and the shared labor issues affecting agricultural operations nationwide. From recruiting and training new employees to managing expectations, workplace culture, and long term career pathways, th...
Bale Grazing: Winter Feeding, Regenerative Thinking
Who wouldn’t want a deep massage? Turns out, your soil might be overdue for one. In this episode, host Haylie Shipp talks with Montana ranchers Todd Barkley (near Baker) and Casey Buffington (Chester) about bale grazing, a winter-feeding strategy that can build soil health, redistribute nutrients, reduce daily feeding chores, and add flexibility to ranch life.
They also discuss how the “new sexy thing” in grazing, virtual fencing, is being used alongside bale grazing to control access, improve hay utilization, and keep cows where you want them...
Ranch Succession Stories via "Reframing Rural"
In this special, off-script episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, host Haylie Shipp flips the mic and interviews Megan Torgerson, founder and host of Reframing Rural, an award-winning documentary podcast that centers the voices and lived experiences of rural people and places. Now in its fourth season, Reframing Rural is focused on succession planning, an issue deeply important to ranching families and to the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance.
Haylie and Megan talk about how Reframing Rural got started, Megan’s background growing up on a farm in northeast Montana, and why rural stories are so often misunderstood or ov...
Growing Rural Futures: The Rise of Montana Agritourism
In this episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, we dig into the growing world of agritourism and how creative ideas can bring new opportunities to working lands. From educational offerings to niche on-the-ground experiences, agritourism is becoming an increasingly valuable way for farms and ranches to diversify and connect with visitors in meaningful ways.
Guests Shannon Arnold and Tamara Robertson join the conversation to talk about what agritourism looks like in Montana today, how producers get started, and why interest in these kinds of enterprises continues to grow across farm and...
Insuring the Rancher: Preventative Care that Pays Off
In this personal and heartfelt episode, host Haylie Shipp shares how a major health crisis in her family in 2024 changed the way she views wellness on the ranch. Ranchers plan for drought, markets, and succession, but rarely for themselves. Preventative healthcare is another kind of ranch insurance. It protects the most important asset on any operation: the people who keep it running.
Haylie visits with Dr. Kevin Ross of Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital, a critical access hospital serving northeastern Montana, and rancher and registered nurse Carmen Salveson. Together, they discuss what preventative care looks like in rural...
Gut Check: How Soil Health Shapes Human Health
In this episode, Haylie Shipp sits down with eco-nutritionist Sara Keough and rancher Craig French to explore the surprising ways soil health and human health are connected. Sara shares what it means to look at people as ecosystems. Craig tells the story of meeting Sara at the Soil Health Symposium and the big changes he has seen since working with her, including weight loss, better sleep, and more energy. Together they talk about practical shifts in food choices and the parallels between soil microbes and the gut microbiome. The conversation also touches on the importance...
Vermicast: Worm Power for Ranch Soil Health
Today’s episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast takes us underground, as we bring you a replay from our 2025 Rural Resilience webinar series all about vermicast. Vermicast is a soil additive produced by earthworms that can improve soil biology, boost plant health, and strengthen ranching systems.
You will hear from:
Kendall Morgan, Land Health Specialist with Winnett ACESAdele Stenson, rancher and Western Sustainability Exchange staff memberConni French, RSA President and Phillips County rancherTogether, they share practical ways to raise worms, harvest castings, and put vermicast to work in a ranch setting.
Want th...
Mistakes, Math, and Management of Winter Grazing
Winter grazing might sound like a risky gamble, but for Montana ranchers Cooper Hibbard and Leo Barthelmess, it’s a key part of building a more resilient—and affordable—grazing system. In this episode, we dig into how they manage livestock in the cold months, monitor forage quality and cow condition, and adjust plans in real time. From financial realities to grazing mistakes, they share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what they’re still learning.
Plus: If you’re listening before August 21, 2025, don’t miss our Cold Season Graz...
The Work Behind the Words: What Does RSA Actually Do?
We’ve said why the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance exists. But what do we actually do?
In this season-opening episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, host Haylie Shipp sits down with RSA Executive Director Angel DeVries, Conservation Director Martin Townsend, and Board President Conni French to break down the mission of this rancher-led nonprofit—and the real-world impact it’s having across the Northern Great Plains.
We’re talking about:
The millions (yes, millions) in conservation investments RSA has brought to ranch countryThe nuts and bolts of our education and conservation cost-share programsTangible support for ranchers...Beyond the Books: Educating the Next Generation of Ranchers
In this episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, we explore how one program is shaping the next generation of ranch managers and land stewards. The Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University blends academic instruction with hands-on, on-the-ground internships—providing students with a well-rounded, real-world education in ranching systems.
You’ll hear from Dr. Rachel Frost, who leads the program; Montana rancher and mentor Billy Whitehurst; and student intern Major Harms. Together, they share how the program equips both seasoned ag kids and newcomers to the industry with the tools, experiences, and connections they need to s...
Add a Chapter (and Income) to Your Ranch Life
In this episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, host Haylie Shipp sits down with longtime ag journalist, rancher, and now multi-time author Rachel Gabel. You may know Rachel from her work with The Fence Post Magazine or Western Ag Network—but today, we’re exploring a different side of her story: her journey into the world of book writing.
It all started with a moment close to home—her daughter’s hesitance to head off to kindergarten. That spark led to Rachel’s first children’s book, and she hasn’t slowed down since. With eight books under her belt...
Live, Local, and Loving Ag: Beyond the Weather, a Mental Health Campaign
In this third and final bonus episode from National Ag Week on KLTZ Glasgow’s Live Under the Big Sky, we sit down with Jillien Streit, the new director of the Montana Department of Agriculture, to discuss her background, priorities for the department, and thoughts on agricultural trade. She also introduces the Beyond the Weather mental health campaign, a crucial initiative aimed at supporting the well-being of those in agriculture.
The conversation continues with Shayna Chupein, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Frontier Psychiatry, who shares valuable insight into mental health resources available for farmers and ranchers.
...Live, Local, and Loving Ag: Straight from the Goat Rancher's Mouth
In this second bonus episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, recorded during National Ag Week on KLTZ Glasgow’s Live Under the Big Sky, we’re talking ranching, resilience, and diversification with Phillips County, Montana, rancher Carmen Salveson.
As part of a multi-generational ranching family, Carmen has incorporated goats into their operation as a way to diversify income, make use of underutilized spaces, and bring the next generation into the business. She shares how adding goats has been a practical and rewarding decision for both land management and family involvement.
Carmen was also a presenter for...
Live, Local, and Loving Ag: Collaborative Showcase of the Matador Grassbank
In this special bonus episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, we’re bringing you a conversation straight from the airwaves of Live Under the Big Sky on KLTZ Glasgow as heard during National Ag Week.
Join guest co-host Haylie Shipp, RSA Communications Director, alongside show host Stan Ozark, as they dive into an insightful discussion about the Matador Grassbank—a unique collaboration between The Nature Conservancy and local ranchers.
Their guests include Caitlyn (Cat) Kelly, Matador Ranch & Grassbank Program Manager, along with local ranchers and grassbank members Greg and Jenny Oxarart. Together, they explore how the...
Open Migration, Secure Herd: The Art of Wildlife Friendly Fencing
Fencing is a fundamental part of ranching, but not all fences are created equal. In this episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, host Haylie Shipp dives into the benefits of wildlife-friendly fencing—also known as modified farm fencing—with RSA Conservation Coordinator Martin Townsend, Phillips County rancher Mark French, and Brett Dorak from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
From a rancher’s perspective, these fences aren’t just about wildlife—they make sense for the operation, too. A higher bottom wire allows Pronghorn and other wildlife to pass underneath, maintaining critical migration corridors. At the same time, this design hel...
An Honest Look at Cow Size
Welcome to the Ranch Stewards Podcast! Excited to have you with us for another episode as today we share rancher knowledge on a topic both of our guests are passionate about: What is it, you ask? cow size. Â
We talk a lot within the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance about “finding your community,” and let me tell you what – if you can sit down for an hour with two individuals still want to keep talking more about what cows weigh at the end of it, you know you’ve found yours.Â
Ranchers. As Dale Veseth, one of today’s gu...
Lessons in Agriculture Conference Hosting
Have an agricultural conference in your future? In today's podcast, we chat with two women who have been actively involved in Montana's Next Generation Conference. Started in 2010, this one-day gathering is packed with 36 distinct educational opportunities!
Join Host Haylie Shipp, Lacy Roberts of the Farm Service Agency, and Montana Roots Accounting's Britney Temple as they discuss:
A Coffee Chat with "Missoula's Rancher"
Have you ever sat down to tackle something and thought, “Well, I don’t know what this is gonna be all about, but we’re going to send it just the same”?
That was Haylie walking into this week’s podcast recording. Until 6:59 a.m. Tuesday morning, she and Bart Morris had only exchanged a few texts. Then it was, “Admit to Zoom, hit record, and let’s see what magic we can make in the next hour.”
Spoiler alert: It went great.
We had the incredible Conni French, a Phillips County rancher, to round out the...
An Unfiltered Rancher Response to Virtual Fencing
Moving cattle from your desktop? While it’s not exactly that advanced, virtual fencing is being trialed by two northern Montana ranchers. Hear from Ranchers Stewardship Alliance President Leo Barthelmess and Secretary Tyrel Obrecht as they discuss the technology.
In this episode, we discuss virtual fencing:
·   Costs
·   Relationship to Grazing Strategies
·   Opportunities and Challenges
·   Technical Components
·   Physical Setups
·   Animal Reaction
·   Management Changes in Response to Technology
Want to learn more about what RSA is up to? Sign up for our e-newsletter at https://ranchstewards.org/c...
Rancher Success Story: Water Weary Rancher Resourcefulness
A bonus episode from the Ranch Stewards podcast, this "Success Story" features Saco, Montana rancher Paul Williams. For full story, photos, and video content, visit RSA's website or YouTube channel.
Water Weary Rancher Resourcefulness
How community and the internet set one rancher’s capacity to create ablaze.
Birds chirp in no-man’s land. A tall red barn, weathered paint but no hint of a lean, stands as the beacon welcoming you into the yard of Paul Williams, military veteran and newly invested Montana landowner. For all the silence, his yard is live...
Recharging Ranchland with Mesic Restoration
Mark Twain coined it: "Water is for fighting, Whiskey is for drinking."
While we’re not doing any fighting today, it’s not that kind of podcast, we are echoing the sentiment of importance.
In this episode, we’re focusing on mesic restoration. Joining host Haylie Shipp to unpack this topic are two incredible guests who bring hands-on experience and insight to the table: Brian Fox, a rancher from Turner, Montana, and a board member of the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, and Autumn Holzgen, with the Montana Conservation Corps, who has been instrumental in bringing conservation effort...
