The Economics of the Other Half with Jim and Mark Kleinschmit

About this episode

This episode discusses the economic challenges and opportunities in regenerative agriculture with Jim and Mark Kleinschmit of Other Half Processing.

Regenerative agriculture isn't just about how we raise animals. It's about whether the entire system around them makes sense. Smaller, regenerative producers with meat businesses, have traditionally lacked an economic outlet for hides and other byproducts. That missing piece can be the difference between a system that works for regenerative farmers and one that doesn't. Jim and Mark Kleinschmit are working to rebuild that piece. Through Other Half Processing, they're creating new pathways for regenerative hides and reconnecting ranchers to a leather economy that reflects the full value of the animal. In this episode, we dive into: • Why whole-animal thinking is essential to regenerative systems • How value from hides and byproducts has been pulled out of local economies • What that means for the economics of regenerative ranching • What it takes to rebuild regional leather and processing infrastructure • The role of tanneries, brands, and partnerships in closing the loop • Where they see real opportunity to make these systems work again More about Other Half Processing [https://www.otherhalfprocessing.com/]: Jim & Mark Kleinschmit. Brothers that grew up on a family farm in…

People in this episode

Host: Agrarian Futures

Guests: Jim Kleinschmit, Mark Kleinschmit

Topics covered

• regenerative agriculture
• economic systems
• sustainable farming
• leather economy
• local economies
• animal byproducts

Keywords

• regenerative agriculture
• hides
• byproducts
• local economies
• leather processing
• sustainable farming

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Other Half Processing

Places: Northeast Nebraska

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