The Ranch Podcast

Curtis Hendricks & Dan Garren work with Idaho Department of Fish and Game in region 5 as habitat management and regional supervision. We toured and spoke about the Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area and Soda Hills Mule Deer Migration Area. This was a small glimpse into the incredibly complex management of large land areas, ecosystem management, migration corridor management, and everythi...

Rob Gillis is a former LA Sheriff Deputy and current Eagle City Councilman and came on to talk about a book he recently published chronicling his career as a deputy. There are many opinions about LA and California in general, and as an ex-Californian myself, I greatly appreciated Rob’s honesty and recounting of life there. Enjoy.  You can find the book here... https://www.amazon.com/SH-T-MAGNET-Ro...

Elaine Clegg is the CEO of Valley Regional Transit and came on to talk about funding for the public transit service. VRT does not have the ability to fund itself through property tax, so it relies on cities funding it directly. The city council of Nampa recently decided to not fund VRT. Elaine came on to talk about what impact that will have on Nampa and the surrounding community. Enjoy! The Ranch...

Debbie Critchfield is the Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction and came on to talk about the incredibly complex funding mechanisms that drive our public schools. Across the state, most education leaders are calling for reform, and after hearing about the structure of existing funding, I completely understand why. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non...

Ali Rabe is an Idaho State Senator and came on to discuss the evolving homeless issue in Idaho, the housing market, and what data driven approaches are emerging as best practices to address both of these issues at the same time. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ranch Podcast is the p...

Lori Bennett MD is a substance abuse specialist in Idaho and came on to talk about what is driving substance problems in our community. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and great sta...

Lori Hickman is an Idaho attorney running for Idaho Attorney General and came in to talk about her vision for the office and its place in Idaho. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and...

Mahmood Sheikh is the first ever athletic director at College of Western Idaho and came in to talk about the program, the structure, the funding, and why he is so excited about developing Otter Pride. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long forma...

Hailey Minder is a sparkling wine entrepreneur in Idaho and founder of 3100 Cellars. She has been working for over a decade to bring fantastic sparkling wine to Idahoans and, in my mind, truly exemplifies some of the best aspects of the entrepreneurial spirit. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused me...

Justin Williams and Jim Stirling work with Idaho Fish and Game in conservation and enforcement. Their work centers around enforcing the laws regarding many aspects of the hunting and fishing framework in Idaho, but also pushes them at times into cases involving other agencies and issues. They have been known, in fact, to save lives of Idahoans. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Med...

Anna Lickley works for the Idaho Dept. of Agriculture in the Farm and Ranch Center program. There is a mental health crisis within the ag sector both in and out of the state of Idaho. Ag consistently ranks near or at the top as an industry for suicide in the US. Anna is working to provide ag operators with more resources, training, and tools to deal with the ever changing landscape of food product...

McKay Cunningham is the director of the Masters of Applied Public Policy at the College of Idaho and came on to talk about the birthright citizenship question that was recently decided (again) by the SCOTUS. The historical background and previous challenges McKay pointed out were fantastic. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committe...

Leslie Edgar is the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Idaho and came on the talk about advancing ag research and opportunities in Idaho. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and inform...

Matt Dorsey is an Idaho ag producer and newly elected president of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, Idaho’s largest statewide agriculture association. Matt came on to talk about the association, ag policy, and the plight of the Idaho ag producer. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ran...

Dr. Chad Pope is the director of the Idaho State University Nuclear Engineering program. He came on to talk about the program, his students, and what ISU has to offer in this incredible space that is expanding aggressively for the first time in decades. He also allowed me to come tour the nuclear reactor on campus and we shot the show directly in front of it. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported...

Tricia Hebdon & Stacey Dauwalter work with Wildlife within the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and came in to talk about some of the various diseases that plague our wildlife, including Chronic Wasting Disease. As the Idaho climate warms and our winters become less pronounced, there are several diseases and parasites that get a stronger foothold. Understanding what can and cannot be done to...

Neil Nelson is the CEO of Engineered Structures, Inc., Idaho’s largest privately held general contractor, and came in to talk about the opportunities that he sees in our community and state for employment, growth, and potential prosperity with the trades at the center. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho f...

Adam Bradford is the Idaho State University Provost and came on to talk about the new selection of three year degrees the university is offering. There is a concern nationally about the rising cost of university degrees, both in public and private institutions, and ISU is working incredibly hard to address this while still offering a high quality education. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by...

Patrick Williamson is a fourth generation Idaho fruit grower, one of the oldest wine producers in the SW part of Idaho, and an absolute blast. He came in to talk about the history and culture of wine in Idaho and to share his incredible products, both solid and liquid. Grab a glass and have some time for yourself. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit med...

Julia Lauch is the Idaho state forester and a fire expert and came on to discuss the broader protocols for fire in Idaho. Much of our wild lands benefit from some fire and certain times, but understanding how, when, and why are crucial pieces to the puzzle. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media...

Caitlin Holesinsky is the co-founder of Holesinsky Vineyard and Winery and IdaWater and came in to talk about the incredible liquids they craft. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and information in the Treasure Valley and...

John Nores is a retired Fish and Game warden in California, author of Hidden War, and is a national advocate and educator around illegal marijuana grow operations and our nation’s wild lands. There was a potential ballot initiative in Idaho that would have legalized some degree of marijuana in the state, and John very kindly drove from Montana to discuss the issues he saw destroy California’s envi...

Jermaine Galloway is a former Idaho law enforcement officer and current national authority on legal drugs available in gas stations and convenience stores that fly under the radar of regulators, law enforcement, and families. He came in to talk about drugs that all Idahoans should consider when discussing issues with substance abuse and potential regulation or prohibition. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast...

Rod Beck is an Ada County Commissioner and came on to talk about budgeting issues. The Idaho State legislature is shifting large costs to the county budgets or taking county revenue to fill state funding gaps. Rod came in to talk about what that means for county tax payers across the state. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committe...

Brian Beckley is the chairman of Idaho Dept. of Parks and Recreation, business leader, and sixth generation Idahoan and came on to talk about fish, housing issues, and Idaho. Enjoy! The Ranch Podcast is supported by Truth In Media Foundation, a non-profit media organization committed to unbiased, Idaho focused media.  The Ranch Podcast is the premier source for long format interviews and informati...