Bison Ranching with No Money, No Land, and No Animals
Episode 14
Monday, September 29, 2025 • Duration 01:37:02
#14 – Sarah Murphy is a first-generation bison rancher and founder of Murphy Legacy Bison, a 900-acre cow–calf operation and meat brand outside of Durango in the SW corner of Colorado.
Before her ranching days, she led marketing at Whole Foods Market and later at the Savory Institute where her dreams of managing bison emerged. Her leap into ranching was enabled in part by the mentorship of Mimi Hillenbrand of the famed 777 Bison Ranch in South Dakota, as well as a hefty dose of both creativity and persistence. Despite having no land, no animals, and no money when she got started, today Sarah is one of a select few raising 100% grass-fed and regeneratively-raised bison.
In addition to ranching, she continues to work part-time for the Savory team on a bison reintroduction project with tribal nations. And as a lifelong outdoorswoman—river guide, mountain biker, backcountry skier—she brings a rare perspective on how recreation, livestock, and land health are deeply connected.
This episode is brought to you by Savory’s Regenerating Members, a global community restoring over 100 million acres through Holistic Management. For less than $1 per day, you can help regenerate 400+ acres every year:
👉 https://savory.global/member
Heifer International, Heifer USA, & Holistic Management
Episode 13
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 • Duration 01:29:16
#13 – Donna Kilpatrick is the Director of Regeneration at Heifer Ranch, the 1,200-acre U.S. agricultural training center of Heifer International based in Perryville, Arkansas where she directs regenerative land management, supports farmer-led supply chains, and pilots on-farm innovation to improve ecosystem outcomes. In addition to overseeing livestock operations at Heifer Ranch, Donna has helped establish the ranch as a Savory Hub and now collaborates with Heifer’s international programs to deliver monitoring and training support in diverse contexts, from Central America to East Africa.
In this episode, we explore:
– how Heifer USA fits into the broader mission of Heifer International
– Donna’s early days at Warren Wilson College and the tractor moment that changed her life
– training farmers from Arkansas to Honduras in Holistic Management
– what she learned attending two advanced-level Savory courses
– how she manages an all-female ranch team and what that’s meant for culture and impact
– R&D efforts happening at Heifer Ranch
– how beavers, bobwhite quail, and gamagrass signal ecological recovery
– and what Donna’s “lifequake” taught her about patterns, healing, and personal regeneration
#12 – Michael Frey is the co-founder of DIRT Wine and second-generation steward of Mariah Vineyards, producer of the world's first Land to Market Verified wines. Located on a remote ridge 2,400 feet above sea level in Mendocino County, California, Michael and his wife Nicole have transformed her family’s vineyard into a thriving model of regenerative viticulture—farming without irrigation or synthetic chemicals, integrating livestock via Holistic Management, and using real ecological monitoring to drive land management decisions.
In this episode, we explore:
– how Michael and Nicole convinced the older generation to embrace a new regenerative path
– the specific vineyard practices they’ve adopted—from diverse cover crops and contract grazing to sap analysis and pollinator trials
– the disconnect between terroir and soil health in mainstream wine culture
– and why transparency, not just flavor, might be the most radical thing you can put on a wine label.
We also dig into the challenges of regenerative farming in a dry-farmed vineyard at elevation, the aesthetic tensions between “clean” and “complex” landscapes, and how Michael is thinking about measuring nutrient density and flavor outcomes at a deeper level.
#11 – Hunter Lovins is a regenerative-economy trailblazer, co-author of the bestselling books Natural Capitalism and A Finer Future, and a force behind initiatives that help farmers, CEOs, and even entire nations build “economies in service of life.”
In this episode, we revisit the big ideas of Natural Capitalism 25 years on, unpack Hunter’s blueprint for a just, regenerative economy, and hear why she’s co-launching COPx—a people-powered alternative to the UN climate talks. Hunter also shares stories from the field: scaling community-managed natural farming with 4 million smallholders in India, quadrupling yields in Zambia, and advising Gulf states on turning desert sands green. Along the way we talk about regenerative economics, the double-edged sword that is capitalism, “global weirding,” and how every plate she spins—finance, policy, ranching, activism—aims at one goal: tackling climate, water, and food crises all at once.
In this episode, we sit down with Jen Hunter and Andy Wear of Fernhill Farm and Fernhill Fiber, recognized as the 2022 Sheep Farmers of the Year by Farmers Weekly. With decades of shepherding under their belts, they share insights on how they've transformed their hilltop farm into a thriving cultural and ecological hub, cross-breeding 6 types of sheep to produce premium wool, on-farm events with 20,000 attendees, how EOV data informs their management, and more.
22:38 From shepherding to Holistic Planned Grazing
28:24 Trading weddings for wool
37:17 Join the movement
38:18 Financial planning
47:23 Field observations
56:27 Balancing ecological & nutritional needs
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Ecological Monitoring & Nomadic Living Across Europe
Episode 9
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 • Duration 01:43:13
In this episode of Ruminations, we explore what it means to be in relationship with place—even while living a nomadic lifestyle. Our guest is Leon Bucher: Holistic Management educator, EOV Verifier, and one of five members of Savory’s Global Quality Assurance team for Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV).
Together, we unpack how EOV works—not just the mechanics, but the deeper meaning. Leon shares insights from years of walking land with producers across Europe, explaining how ecological indicators serve as feedback loops for better management. From baseline monitoring to five-year trend analysis, we look at what getting EOV actually involves for a farmer or rancher—and why, in Leon’s words, regeneration is ultimately about relationship.
In this episode of Ruminations, we dig into the legislative soil beneath America’s regenerative agriculture movement with Aria McLauchlan, co-founder and executive director of LandCore. Aria brings a rare insider’s view of how soil health is making its way into federal and state policy—often against the odds.
We explore how LandCore is reshaping the policy landscape by working alongside USDA, legislators, producers, and investors to mainstream soil health as a critical lever for economic resilience, food security, and climate action. You’ll hear about their groundbreaking risk modeling tools, the Soil Health Bill Tracker, and what it actually takes to get meaningful policy passed in a system designed for the status quo.
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Regenerating Patagonia's Grasslands
Episode 7
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 • Duration 01:23:34
In this episode we're joined by Pablo Borelli, co-founder of Ovis 21, the Savory Hub in Argentina. With a background in agronomy and extensive experience in Holistic Management, Pablo shares insights on how Ovis 21 has impacted over 26 million hectares and trained over 5,000 people in Holistic Management over the last decade. The conversation explores Pablo’s journey, the underlying principles and key insights of Holistic Management, and the transformative effects it has had on Patagonian grasslands and livestock management. Plus, dive into case studies and real-world applications that highlight the importance of planned grazing, recovery periods, and the ecological benefits of regenerative agriculture.
04:35 Challenges and Innovations in Holistic Management
10:05 Early Adoption and Training in Patagonia
26:39 Holistic Management Principles and Practices
39:57 Understanding Holistic Grazing Plans
40:20 Redefining Overgrazing
43:25 The Concept of Overresting
48:08 Four Key Insights of Holistic Management
50:29 Importance of Holistic Context
58:16 Holistic Planned Grazing Explained
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The Nutritional Merits of Animal Sourced Foods
Episode 6
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 • Duration 01:32:55
In this episode of Ruminations, we sit down with registered dietician and author Diana Rodgers to discuss her recent peer-reviewed paper on the nutritional benefits of animal-sourced foods. We delve into the challenges and biases she faced in getting her research published and break down common misconceptions about meat consumption. The conversation covers detailed nutritional information, the importance of protein, iron, zinc, B12, and the environmental and ethical aspects of meat production. Additionally, Diana shares her personal journey and announces her shift towards a new chapter in life centered around art and community.
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This episode is brought to you by Savory Institute’s Regenerating Members, a global community committed to restoring grasslands. Learn more and join for just $15/month at 👉
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Opening the Gate For a New Generation of Cowgirls
Episode 5
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 • Duration 01:53:34
Beth Robinette is a fourth-generation cattle rancher, educator, and co-founder of New Cowgirl Camp (https://www.newcowgirlcamp.com/) who joins the podcast to talk about what it really means to build a more inclusive, resilient future for agriculture.
From her roots on the Lazy R Ranch in Washington’s channeled scablands to her work leading education at UVE (a Savory Hub covering the Intermountain West region of the US), Beth shares how she’s blending business, ecology, and equity to reimagine land stewardship.
The discussion covers being a second-generation Holistic Management practitioner, why creating a safe environment is essential to learning, and how cultural restoration—like digging camas with Salish youth—can deepen our relationship with the land. This is a powerful conversation about leadership, belonging, and making space for new voices in ranching.
TIME STAMPS:
[03:25] Beth's Family Ranching History
[06:43] Transition to Holistic Management
[10:59] Beth's Personal Journey and Education
[15:32] Challenges and Insights in Ranching
[21:32] New Cowgirl Camp: Empowering Women in Ranching
[27:15] Community Building and Future of Agriculture
[50:09] Savory Institute and Global Impact
[55:12] Hunters of Color and Reciprocal Goodness
[58:07] Diverse Backgrounds and Good Food
[58:38] Relearning Land History
[01:01:05[ Indigenous Land Management
[01:04:41[ Collaboration with Salish School
[01:16:33] Challenges and Adaptations in Land Management
[01:35:46] Future Vision and Community Building
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00:00 Intro
01:54 Welcome Donna
04:34 Heifer International's Mission and Work
08:04 Grassroots Farmer's Co-op
16:34 Donna's Journey in Agriculture
28:16 Advanced Holistic Management Courses
39:40 Heifer Ranch Operations and Innovations
45:40 Innovative Technology
46:01 Cost and Labor Efficiency
47:41 Exploring Virtual Fencing
49:45 Staff Training and Management
53:43 Female Leadership in Agriculture
01:01:47 International Regenerative Agriculture Efforts
This episode is brought to you by Savory’s Regenerating Members, a global community restoring over 100 million acres through Holistic Management. For less than $1 per day, you can help regenerate 400+ acres every year:
👉 https://savory.global/member
This episode is brought to you by Savory’s Regenerating Members, a global community restoring over 100 million acres through Holistic Management. For less than $1 per day, you can help regenerate 400+ acres every year:
👉 https://savory.global/member
This episode is brought to you by Savory’s Regenerating Members, a global community restoring over 100 million acres through Holistic Management. For less than $1 per day, you can help regenerate 400+ acres every year:
👉 https://savory.global/member
This episode is brought to you by Savory’s Regenerating Members, a global community restoring over 100 million acres through Holistic Management. For less than $1 per day, you can help regenerate 400+ acres every year:
👉 https://savory.global/member
This episode is brought to you by Savory’s Regenerating Members, a global community restoring over 100 million acres through Holistic Management. For less than $1 per day, you can help regenerate 400+ acres every year:
👉 https://savory.global/member
This episode is brought to you by Savory’s Regenerating Members, a global community restoring over 100 million acres through Holistic Management. For less than $1 per day, you can help regenerate 400+ acres every year:
👉 https://savory.global/member
This episode is brought to you by Savory’s Regenerating Members, a global community restoring over 100 million acres through Holistic Management. For less than $1 per day, you can help regenerate 400+ acres every year:
👉 https://savory.global/member
This episode is brought to you by Savory Institute’s Regenerating Members, a global community committed to restoring grasslands. Learn more and join for just $10/month at 👉 https://savory.global/member
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