Regeneration Rising

Episode 29 - Ryan Koch & Samuel Moreno on their 2023 Apprenticeship Experiences

In this episode, host Taylor Muglia sits down with current New Agrarian Program apprentices Ryan Koch and Samuel Moreno to talk about their experience in the past year. From applications and interviews to successes and struggles during the season to plans post-apprenticeship, this conversation has so many valuable lessons not only for future applicants, but anyone considering starting a career in agriculture.

Photo of Sam by Alexis Bonogofsky

You can find Sam online here and Ryan here.

Episode 28 - Layna Jansen on Mentorship, Horsemanship, and Hot Coffee

In anticipation for the 2024 New Agrarian Program applications opening November 1st, we are spending some time today with mentor Layna Jansen, rancher and Beef Program Coordinator at the Home Ranch in Clark, Colorado. She shares details about her career path and what it takes to feel like you finally belong to a place after moving from Virginia to the Home Ranch as a young adult, and working her way up over almost 10 years. She shares her advice to folks considering apprenticeship and tips on how to create a positive work environment with a large team.

Find Layna on Facebook and Instagram.

Music attribution:
Wanderlust by Scott Buckley

Episode 27 - Stacy Lishka and Evanne Caviness on Cooperative Land Leasing

In this episode, host Taylor Muglia dives into the details of a creative land access model with Poudre Valley Community Farms Executive Director Stacy Lishka and one of the program's lessees Evanne Caviness, who also happens to be the Western Organizing Manager for the National Young Farmers Coalition. The two guests talk about what can go right and wrong with cooperative land leasing, and share insights they've gained along the way. These insights can help beginning farmers and ranchers find hope for land access in extremely expensive parts of the West, and inform public and private land managers to think about leasing land with an equitable and holistic mindset.

Episode 26 - Emily Brown on the Joys and Challenges of Returning to a Family Farm

Emily certainly didn't see herself coming back to her family potato and barley farm in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, but a husband, child, and global pandemic later, she finds herself learning how to farm from her parents, participating in succession conversations, and becoming an advocate within the ag community. In this episode of Regeneration Rising, host Taylor Muglia talks with Emily Brown about her fascinating story.

Find out more about Emily's work with Rocky Mountain Farmers Union and Annie's Project.

We're Hiring a Communications & Podcast Intern! Find out more here.

Episode 25 - Pork Rhyne on Profitable Farming Without the Hogwash

The New Agrarian Program's Taylor Muglia sits down with Pork Rhyne "The Pork Evangelist" to talk about his career path as a young farmer and transition into public speaking and consulting, as well as lessons he's learned from helping clients build profitable livestock enterprises. You can follow Pork Rhyne by visiting the youtube channel Agro Educators International, or visiting their website.

Photo Credit: Pork Rhyne

Episode 24 - Guest-Host Alumnus Graham Holtrop and His Mentor Jim Spinner Talk About Life as a Ranch Manager

New Agrarian Program (NAP) alumni Graham Holtrop guest-hosts this episode, interviewing his former mentor Jim Spinner (current NAP mentor at The Veebaray). Graham and Jim discuss what he loves about ranching, what it takes to be ranch manager, and advice for first generation ranchers who may pursue ranch management, as opposed to ownership. Jim talks about his challenges raising a family and navigating work/life balance. And if you needed any more evidence of how cool Jim really is, we also learn that he does indeed have a ski boat, he does indeed drive 3 hours each way to the nearest Montana lake, and he did indeed teach Graham how to knee board. Not sure knee boarding can go on the program skill checklist, but we'll accept it.

Find Jim on Instagram

Find Graham on LinkedIn

 

Episode 23: Hannah Breckbill on Creative Land Purchasing, Cooperative Business Models, and Building Queer Farmer Community

Hannah Breckbill, co-farmer at Humble Hands Harvest in Decorah, Iowa, felt a desire to own land originally because of a yearning to incorporate perennials into her vegetable and sheep operation. This can be a frustration for land renters who feel unsure of their longevity on a piece of land. In this episode, Hannah sits down with Taylor Muglia of the New Agrarian Program to talk about the process of working with a community-owned land-holding company that served as a "bank" to allow her to purchase land at a reasonable pace with no interest. Hannah also talks about weaving all owners and employees into the Humble Hands business model in a cooperative way, and how she has found a deeply meaningful community through creating the Queer Farmer Network.

Find Humble Hands Harvest on Instagram and Facebook.

 

Episode 22: Guest-Host Natalie Berkman and Fellow NAP Alumna Susan Elder Talk Life After Apprenticeship

New Agrarian Program (NAP) Alumna Natalie Berkman (Milton Ranch, 2020/2021) joined as a guest-host to interview Susan Elder (Charter Ranch, 2020/2021) for a conversation about their lives post-apprenticeship as managers of ranches in Montana and Kansas. The conversation highlights lessons learned from apprenticeship and challenges of the transition, with some good laughs sprinkled in about purple riding helmets and brie cheese.

Find Susan on Instagram @ferrellranch or @susandalt

 

Episode 21: Tony Vorster on Graduate School Options for Beginning Agrarians

Tony Vorster, Research Scientist at Colorado State University (CSU), Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory sits down with host Taylor Muglia to talk details of the new CSU Western Ranch Management and Ecosystem Stewardship Program and options beginning agrarians might have for further education. They discuss the Summer Field Course, the importance of learning alongside peers of diverse specialties, and how to think about the "flavors" of grad school to choose the right path for you.

Episode 20: Ryan White on the Complexities of New Agrarianism

In this conversation, New Agrarian Program's Taylor Muglia has a powerful conversation with Ryan White, CEO and Founder of SnapLands LLC. Ryan talks about his winding road into agriculture, which is rooted deeply in his appreciation for nature which he has carried since childhood. Ryan discusses difficult career decisions he's faced in the industry of regenerative land management, expands upon "earning his meal ticket", and shares a few impactful pieces of advice for folks entering an industry that struggles to provide work/life balance, financial stability, mental health support, and amenities available to our counterparts outside of agriculture.