Regenerative Agriculture: Thriving as a Modern Rancher

Before Jojo ever put regenerative grazing into practice on her ranch… She tested it in her backyard. Because she’s a self-proclaimed nerd, she didn’t just take someone else’s word for it. She researched, questioned, and when it came time to convince her husband that this “hippy dippy” idea might actually work… She brought in sheep. On a small piece of land in the city, using polywire, they ran a s...

In this episode, I sit down with Rachel Ward—actress, screenwriter, and director of Rachel’s Farm , a documentary that follows her transition from conventional to regenerative agriculture. What unfolds in this conversation is not a polished story—but a real-time journey of learning, questioning, and stepping into land stewardship without a clear roadmap. Rachel shares how a series of events—from d...

In this episode, Christine sits down with Donna Kilpatrick, Director of Regeneration at Heifer USA (Heifer International) , to explore what regeneration looks like when we stop treating people as “recipients” — and start collaborating with communities as partners. Donna shares how Heifer’s mission has evolved from livestock donations into a whole-systems approach to ending hunger and poverty while...

Most land stewards aren’t just managing land — they’re leading entire operations. They’re the CEO, CFO, COO, marketer, and labor force, all while navigating weather, livestock, markets, family life, and constant decision-making. In this episode, Christine Martin sits down with Randy Lyman , author of The Third Element , to explore a side of leadership that’s rarely discussed: emotional capacity an...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Kacee Bohle — farm girl turned leadership coach, founder of Agri Minds, homeschooling mom, and a powerful voice for the human side of agriculture. Kacee shares candidly about her journey from corporate ag to entrepreneurship, and the pivotal moments — including deep personal loss — that made her rethink what a meaningful, healthy, sustainable life in agriculture t...

We make countless decisions every day on our land, in our business, and in our lives—but most of us were never taught how to make them effectively. In this episode, I share the decision-making framework that completely changed how I approach every choice: the Holistic Management Decision Testing Questions. I'll walk you through my own journey from making reactive, problem-focused decisions to...

In this raw and honest episode, Christine shares why she's changing how she records - because the "polished" version wasn't the real her. You're getting the authentic Christine from now on. She opens up about her scattered homesteading phase: the 15 versions of chicken tractors, learning to harness a draft horse with a picture book, and the annual W2 review wondering &quot...

The Return of the Feminine to the Land In this heartfelt solo episode, Christine Martin, rancher and Holistic Management® Certified Educator, opens an honest conversation about the energy agriculture has been missing — the feminine. She reflects on her own journey from trying to control nature to learning to listen to it, sharing how the feminine energy of presence, intuition, and relationship is...

In this brief episode, I share a recent pasture walk with my NRCS grazing specialist, we spotted Indian Grass and other natives already thriving — no expensive seed needed. I share how simple grazing management can unlock the seed bank, and why shifting from “What do I fix?” to “What moves us toward our desired goal?” changes everything. I’ll go deeper into these mindset shifts in the Regenerative...

What if the struggles you face on your ranch—or in your life—aren’t actually “out there”? In this episode, Christine shares a bold but freeing perspective: struggles don’t exist outside of you. They’re not weeds, armyworms, bills, or the lack of rain. They’re invitations—feedback that shows up so you can grow. Christine explores how what feels like a crisis to one land steward might be an opportun...

Are weeds, armyworms, and leafcutter ants really the problem on your land—or are they trying to tell you something deeper? In this episode, Christine shares a personal story from a recent class where the proposed solution to pests was spraying chemicals. She challenges that mindset and invites you to look at weeds, worms, and ants not as enemies, but as messengers of land health and ecosystem func...

At this year’s preconference Grazing School at Small Family Farmers and Food System Conference, organized by Small Producers Initiative and Farm and Freedom Alliance, at Texas State University, three powerhouse organizations—Understanding Ag, Noble Research Institute, and Holistic Management International—taught regenerative grazing together for the first time. Each brought a unique history, langu...

You’ve done the work—your land is thriving. So why are you still lying awake at night, second-guessing every decision? In this powerful solo episode, Christine Martin exposes a hidden truth in regenerative agriculture: resilient land doesn't guarantee a resilient decision maker. And that gap? It’s where most stewards get stuck. Christine shares real-world stories of ranchers who faced the sam...

Two ranchers. Same drought. Same tools. Completely different outcomes. Why did one thrive while the other barely hung on? In this solo episode, Christine reveals the hidden factor that separates thriving land stewards from those constantly stuck in stress and survival: decision-making confidence . You’ll learn why having the right framework —not just more knowledge—makes all the difference when cr...

In this interview episode, I sit down with Liz Riffle of Riffle Farms, a bison rancher and holistic land steward in West Virginia. Liz shares her journey from being dubbed the “crazy bison lady” to running a thriving multi-enterprise farm rooted in regenerative principles. We talk about how she discovered the Holistic Management® framework, scaled from 7 to 50 bison on just 130 acres, and built a...

Are you doing all the things—rotating pastures, planting cover crops, attending workshops, watching YouTube—and still not seeing the progress you hoped for? In this episode, we continue the theme from Episode 16 and explore a powerful truth: you can’t thrive as a land steward if you’re not part of your own management plan. Whether you’re a new steward overwhelmed by advice or a seasoned one stuck...

If you’re drawn to regenerative agriculture, it’s likely because you want more than better soil—you’re here to heal the land, nourish your community, and build a meaningful life. But what happens when your old habits, mindsets, and stress patterns follow you onto the land? In this deeply personal episode, Christine Martin shares the biggest lesson from over a decade of land stewardship: you can’t...

Episode 2 of the “Why You’re Not Thriving (Yet!)” Series Are you spending your time, money, or energy fixing the same problems over and over—feeding hay every winter, spraying weeds, or investing in equipment you rarely use? In this episode, Christine dives into the concept of the financial weak link —the point of greatest constraint in your operation that’s quietly limiting your ability to get a...

Episode 1 of the Why You're Not Thriving (Yet!) In this episode, Christine invites you to rethink the way you make decisions on the land by exploring one powerful question:   Are you managing the whole—or just reacting to the parts? From pulling goat weed by hand to learning from legendary land steward Betsy Ross, Christine shares her own shift from symptom-chasing to systems-thinking. You’ll...

Spring is here, the pastures are greening up, and you’re eager to get your livestock off hay and onto fresh grass. But before you open that gate—wait. Grazing too soon is the #1 mistake ranchers make in the spring, and it could cost you all season. If you graze before your pastures are truly ready, you: ❌ Deplete root energy reserves, weakening plant recovery ❌ Reduce total forage production, fo...

🌿💨 Did you hear that? Not just the rain and wind—but the land itself speaking to you. Every bare patch of soil, every rain puddle, every stubborn weed is sending a message. Are you listening? When I first started my land stewardship journey, I thought I was in control. I had a vision and believed I could shape the land with money, labor, and effort. But nature had other plans. My frustration gre...

In this episode of Regenerative Agriculture: Thriving as a Modern Rancher , Christine chats with Kelly Sidoryk about her lifelong journey with Holistic Management, from its early days as Holistic Resource Management in the 1980s to its continued impact on her multi-generational ranch today. Kelly shares how her family embraced change, implemented intensive grazing, and prioritized the human elemen...

What if our relationship with the land isn’t just about productivity—but something sacred? In this episode, we explore the deeper meaning of land stewardship and how shifting from identifying as a farmer, rancher, or homesteader to a land steward transforms not only how we manage the land but how we see ourselves. I’ll break down why the words we use shape our mindset, how forcing nature to our wi...

In this episode of Regenerative Agriculture: Thriving as a Modern Rancher, we’re diving into why building strong foundations is essential for achieving your long-term goals as a land steward. Using the analogy of building a house, I’ll share the three critical foundations you need to ensure your land operation thrives: Making decisions today that honor your long-term vision. Prioritizing investmen...

In this episode of Regenerative Agriculture: Thriving as a Modern Rancher, we’re diving into the three biggest mistakes new landowners make when they jump into action without a plan. Whether you’re starting a homestead, farm, or ranch, skipping foundational planning can lead to costly mistakes, frustration, and burnout. Through real-life examples—including my own early missteps—you’ll discover: Wh...