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
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
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 Instag...
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 i...
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
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
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...
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
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
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
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 - Wha...
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
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
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
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.
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...
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 good...
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 ...
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.
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 moveme...
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
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...
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 gr...
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...
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 real...
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. Roy...
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 ...
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 pou...
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...
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
