Ranch Stewards Podcast

⚠️ 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 syste...

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, improv...

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 ...

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 soi...

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, 20...

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. To...

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 Cl...