Ranch Stewards Podcast
By: Ranchers Stewardship Alliance
Language: en-us
Categories: Science, Earth, Nature, Business
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.
Episodes
Insuring the Rancher: Preventative Care that Pays Off
Oct 24, 2025In 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...
Duration: 00:44:05Gut Check: How Soil Health Shapes Human Health
Sep 18, 2025In 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...
Duration: 00:49:56Vermicast: Worm Power for Ranch Soil Health
Aug 22, 2025Today’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...
Duration: 00:54:23Mistakes, Math, and Management of Winter Grazing
Jul 17, 2025Winter 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...
Duration: 00:49:58The Work Behind the Words: What Does RSA Actually Do?
Jun 19, 2025We’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... Duration: 01:01:50Beyond the Books: Educating the Next Generation of Ranchers
May 15, 2025In 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...
Duration: 00:51:10Add a Chapter (and Income) to Your Ranch Life
Apr 25, 2025In 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...
Duration: 00:26:35Live, Local, and Loving Ag: Beyond the Weather, a Mental Health Campaign
Apr 02, 2025In 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.
... Duration: 00:50:59Live, Local, and Loving Ag: Straight from the Goat Rancher's Mouth
Apr 01, 2025In 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...
Duration: 00:50:44Live, Local, and Loving Ag: Collaborative Showcase of the Matador Grassbank
Mar 31, 2025In 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...
Duration: 00:49:01Open Migration, Secure Herd: The Art of Wildlife Friendly Fencing
Mar 20, 2025Fencing 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...
Duration: 00:54:42An Honest Look at Cow Size
Feb 21, 2025Welcome 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.
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.
Ranchers. As Dale Veseth, one of today’s gu...
Duration: 00:49:38Lessons in Agriculture Conference Hosting
Jan 16, 2025Have 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"
Dec 11, 2024Have 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...
Duration: 00:51:48An Unfiltered Rancher Response to Virtual Fencing
Nov 21, 2024Moving 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...
Duration: 00:42:03Rancher Success Story: Water Weary Rancher Resourcefulness
Oct 29, 2024A 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...
Duration: 00:06:10Recharging Ranchland with Mesic Restoration
Oct 17, 2024Mark 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...
Duration: 01:02:41IRS SOS
Sep 20, 2024Tax deadlines and end-of-year planning are looming! Join Haylie Shipp as she chats with Britney Tempel (CPA at Montana Roots Accounting), Angel Devries (CPA and RSA Executive Director), and Michelle Math (rancher and RSA board member).
In this episode, we discuss:
Also mentioned in this podcast, the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance "Basic Ranch Bookkeeping" webinar series is now available on our YouTube channel and the replay of Jolene Brown's "The Positives of Passing It On"...
Duration: 00:46:02A Crested Wheatgrass Melodrama
Aug 15, 2024Join Haylie Shipp as Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Vice President Dale Veseth and Conservation Coordinator Martin Townsend talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of crested wheatgrass
In this episode, we discuss:
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of l...
Duration: 00:42:21A Passion for Public Lands Grazing
Jul 19, 2024Join Haylie Shipp as Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Treasurer Vicki Olson and Ellie Brighton of the Montana Public Lands Council talk about the importance of public lands grazing and current hot topics.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through...
Duration: 00:48:46BLM Project Dollars in RSA Country
Jun 20, 2024Join Haylie Shipp as Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) staff outline exciting opportunities with new funding from BLM.
This podcast is a shorter version of what was heard on KLTZ Glasgow's "Live Under the Big Sky" talk show. CLICK HERE to listen to the full interview.
Want more information on Restoration Landscapes? Visit the BLM's website.
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and...
Duration: 00:25:16Talk Birdy to Me
May 16, 2024Join Haylie Shipp as Ranchers Stewardship Alliance member Sheila Walsh and Kelsey Molloy of The Nature Conservancy talk birding in the Northern Great Plains.
In this episode, we discuss:
From Kelsey Molloy, our "resident bird expert," here's a list of suggested reading material:
https://www.3billionbirds.org/
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/
https://www.nature.org...
Duration: 01:06:23Energetic Estate Planning with Jolene "Dr. Phil" Brown
Apr 18, 2024She's called the "Dr. Phil" of agriculture and boy do Haylie Shipp and Ranchers Stewardship Alliance board member Conni French feel better after talking to her!
Jolene Brown is an award-winning speaker, farmer, and author. She'll be bringing her energy to Malta, MT on Saturday, May 11 to present "The Positives of Passing It On" to our audience. Registration is now open: https://ranchstewards.org/events/the-positives-of-passing-it-on/
Ahead of the event, Jolene shares her insight into the world of farm/ranch/business transition during this podcast.
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led...
Duration: 01:13:13Toxins, Minerals, & the Red Solo Cup Cow
Mar 21, 2024Join Haylie Shipp as Ranchers Stewardship Alliance board member Brian Fox and Steve Campbell of Tailor Made Cattle talk about the impact of toxins and minerals on cattle health alongside Steve's infamous "Red Solo Cup" cow demonstration.
In this episode, we discuss:
A huge "thank you" to KMMR Mustang Radio in Malta, MT for airing this podcast live on their airwaves!
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural...
Duration: 00:50:55Rancher Solutions: The Matador Grassbank
Feb 16, 2024Join Haylie Shipp as Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Vice President Dale Veseth and Brian Martin of The Nature Conservancy talk about the history, acquisition, and management practices of the Matador Ranch and Grassbank in Phillips County, Montana.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and...
Duration: 01:00:45Caring for Cattle in a Deep Freeze
Jan 18, 2024Join Haylie Shipp as Ranchers Stewardship Alliance board member Tyrel Obrecht and Dr. Megan Van Emon, Montana State University Beef Cattle Specialist, talk about cattle nutrition needs amidst brutal temps.
In this episode, we discuss:
Links mentioned in the show:
Rural Resilience Webinar Series/CattleFax Webinar
Subscribing to the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance YouTube Channel
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the...
Duration: 00:52:54Past, Present, and Future of Ranching Hope
Dec 21, 2023Join Haylie Shipp as Ranchers Stewardship Alliance President Leo Barthelmess and Bob Budd, Executive Director of the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, talk about history and hope in the ranching industry.
In this episode, we discuss homesteading stories still attached to the land, challenges in the livestock industry, ranch transitions, and the need to tear off segregating labels in the push towards a positive future.
We also discuss Bob's book, "Otters Dance: A Rancher's Journey to Enlightenment and Stewardship." While it can be found most places books are sold (http://tinyurl.com/bdf43s5...
Safeguarding Grasslands & Cattle Industry Orange Flags
Nov 23, 2023Join Haylie Shipp as Ranchers Stewardship Alliance board member Rick Caquelin and North Dakota rancher Jerry Doan start a conversation about conserving intact grassland and end up in a discussion of the big picture of the U.S. cattle industry.
In this episode, we discuss the benefits of cattle grazing, carbon sequestration, multi-generational ranching, collaborative conservation, regenerative agriculture, and the challenges facing the American rancher.
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher...
Duration: 00:59:51Fighting Fish and Venn Diagrams
Oct 19, 2023Join Haylie Shipp as Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Conservation Coordinator Martin Townsend and Phillips County, Montana rancher Lesley Robinson dig into what it takes to have good landowner/hunter relations.
In this episode, we discuss best practices, stewarding good relationships between hunters and private landowners, wildlife friendly fencing, cows as conservationists, and Haylie's love for jerky.
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen ou...
Duration: 00:44:40Dung Beetle Deep Dive
Sep 21, 2023Join Haylie Shipp as RSA Board Member Connie French and Dr. Hayes Goosey, Montana State University, take a deep dive into the world of dung beetles. The entertaining bugs are complementary to cattle grazing systems, breaking down manure and allowing for elevated forage growth as well as healthy bird populations.
Book Recommendation: Cow patty critters: An introduction to the ecology, biology and identification of insects in cattle dung on Canadian pastures
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the...
Duration: 00:49:08Our Why: The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Story
Jun 28, 2023The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.
Join Haylie Shipp as RSA President Leo Barthelmess and Vice President Dale Veseth outline the beginnings, growth, and future of the nonprofit.
For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org.
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots...
Duration: 00:29:02