Regeneration Rising

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.

Michelle Hughes on Becoming a Force for Change

Quivira Coalition's Taylor Muglia sits down with Michelle Hughes, the Operations and Impact Director at National Young Farmers Coalition. Michelle speaks about her background in farming and livestock production and how she transitioned to advocacy work, then became staff at NYFC. She talks about the challenges and successes of weaving racial equity into an agricultural organization, and how accountability must be a part of that system. Michelle also speaks about her experience on the Equity Commission at USDA and how each young farmer can find their voice.

Instagram @youngfarmers

 

Episode 18 - Akwese Majolie on Regenerative Food Systems in Cameroon

Quivira Coalition's New Agrarian Program Colorado Manager Taylor Muglia sits down with Akwese Mbendang Milene Majolie. Akwese was an intern this summer with Quivira's Carbon Ranch Initiative. Working remotely from Rwanda where she attended school at the African Leadership University Rwanda, she helped with biochar projects and educational guides, and expanded her knowledge of regenerative agriculture with Quivira staff located in New Mexico. Originally from Cameroon, Akwese is passionate about sharing regenerative techniques with smallholder farmers in her region and innovating ways to reduce post-harvest loss. In this episode, she shares her story and dreams for the future.

Find Akwese on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. And her project Chakula Poda on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Episode 17 - National Young Farmers Coalition Land Advocacy Fellows on Land Access for BIPOC and Beginning Agrarians

The National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) Land Advocacy Fellowship is a two-year advocacy and leadership fellowship for current and aspiring young farmers and ranchers. In this episode, host Taylor Muglia sits down with Benú Amun-Ra, Tanisha Diggs, and Óscar Vital, three Fellows from right here in Colorado. They talk about their land access goals, how it can be even harder for BIPOC to access agricultural land, capital, and resources, and they share their policy suggestions for the 2023 Farm Bill as a part of the One Million Acres for the Future Campaign—an initiative to ensure that land is equitably transitioned to the next generation of farmers.

 

Instagram - @youngfarmers

Facebook

youngfarmers.org

Land Advocacy Fellowship

NYFC National Survey Report

One Million Acres for the Future Campaign

Episode 16 - Caroline Caldwell on Land Transition and Advice for the New Agrarian

Caroline Caldwell is a rancher, academic, traveller, Corgi-owner, and Quivira's very own Northern Plains Manager here at the New Agrarian Program. In this episode, we pick Caroline's brain about land transition and her work with American Farmland Trust, her perspective on how new agrarians can find success without inheriting land, and what qualities you can work on to become a great ranch manager.

Find Caroline on Instagram

Photo credits: Charles Sullivan, Ada Smith, Bart Morris

Episode 15 - Martha Skelley on Recovering from Workaholism in Ranching

If you've ever had to rush through evening chores, change your smelly boots, and make it to town in time for a date, this podcast will feel very relevant to you. Martha Skelley, Farm and Livestock Manager at Paicines Ranch sits down to talk about her "fast-tracked" path into agriculture, the general culture of workaholism she has noticed and embodied during her career, and the reality check of wanting more out of life (Ahem... Romance? Hobbies? Kids?) after being laser-focused, and quite successful, in reaching her career goals for the past 12 years.

Episode 14 - Donne Gonzales on Farming for Healing

Formally, you might know Donne Gonzales as the Los Sembradores Farm Trainer & Youth Education Coordinator at the New Mexico Acequia Association, but it's impossible to parse out where her personal passions end and her professional work begins. In this episode, Donne teaches about the magic of acequias, her work teaching farming skills (however big or small a garden might be) and preserving the traditions of her community for future generations. If you need a heaping dose of farming motivation, give this episode a listen!

Ep. 13: Caleb Valdez on Door-Knocking, Starting Fires, and Local Beef Terroir

In this episode of Regeneration Rising, NAP's Taylor Muglia sits down with Caleb Valdez, a young rancher and owner of Uncompahgre Farms in Montrose, CO. Caleb has built his grassfed beef business from scratch, starting out by knocking on doors of neighbors with land to see if he could graze his small cattle herd. He talks about building a rapport with the community, crafting a brand, using his background in wildland firefighting to use fire as a management tool, and his experience as a young person committed to growing a ranching business.

Find Uncompahgre Farms on Instagram.

 

Episode 12: Caity Roberts on Regenerating Land, Ourselves, and Rural Communities

Caity Roberts, 2nd year Apprentice/Apprentice Coordinator at Ferrell Ranch/4L Grazing in Beaumont, Kansas sits down to talk about her journey in agriculture, and particularly how she has learned to care for her mental health and mindset while working on vineyards and ranches. Caity has helped Ferrell Ranch build their own apprenticeship program and has discovered the beauty and joy of living in the Flint Hills of Kansas.