205 | Jonathan Kilpatrick, Minnesota | What Ranching for Profit School Led to a Cross-Country Move and Starting Over From Scratch

205 | Jonathan Kilpatrick, Minnesota | What Ranching for Profit School Led to a Cross-Country Move and Starting Over From Scratch

Author: Grazing Grass January 7, 2026 Duration: 1:09:29

Jonathan Kilpatrick of Red Lantern Ranch and Kilpatrick Land & Livestock joins Cal to share what changed since he first appeared back on episode 2, including moving from Oklahoma to west central Minnesota (Alexandria area) and rebuilding a grazing operation from the ground up with sheep, goats, and pastured poultry.


In This Episode, We Explore:

  • What prompted Jonathan and his family to move from Oklahoma to Minnesota and restart their operation
  • Lessons Jonathan took from the Ranching for Profit School and how they shaped his decision-making
  • Starting a grazing operation with a clean slate and building genetics that match the environment
  • Grazing sheep and goats together and using goats as part of a buckthorn control strategy
  • Outwintering sheep and goats with minimal infrastructure and what that requires
  • Using adaptive grazing decisions that fit real life, time constraints, and family priorities
  • Expanding from a 45-acre grazing lease by adding tillable acres and converting some to perennials
  • Partnering with a regenerative crop farmer for strip-till or no-till, cover crops, and added grazing opportunities
  • Mobile range coop pastured poultry production, daily moves, and labor efficiency
  • Processing options, state-inspected processing, and why time is often the limiting resource
  • Marketing channels including direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and opportunities in ethnic markets


Why This Episode Matters

If you are building or rebuilding a grazing business, Jonathan lays out a realistic path that balances production, business management, and family life. This conversation is a good reminder that experience matters, time is a real constraint, and matching livestock, grazing, and marketing to your context is what keeps the whole system working.


Resources Mentioned

  • Ranching for Profit School
  • Executive Link program (Ranching for Profit)
  • Google Sheets
  • Excel
  • ChatGPT
  • Gemini
  • P.L. 90-492 (Poultry Products Inspection Act exemption referenced in the discussion)

Find Out More

  • Red Lantern Ranch website | https://redlanternranch.com
  • Kilpatrick Land & Livestock website | https://www.kilpatricklandandlivestock.com
  • Sustainable Farming Association (SFA) | https://sfa-mn.org


Looking for grass-based breeders?
 Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.

Upcoming Grazing Events

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond Agriculture
Grassroots Carbon
Apr 22-24 3 Springs Utah

Grazing Grass Links
Website
Community (on Facebook)

Original Music by Louis Palfrey


There’s a quiet revolution happening in the fields and pastures, one that ties the health of the soil directly to the health of a farm’s bottom line. Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming is a part of that conversation, sitting down with the men and women who are putting regenerative principles into daily practice. Hosted by Grazing Grass, each episode feels like a candid chat across a fence line, moving beyond theory into the tangible details of managing livestock on grass. You’ll hear farmers recount their own journeys-what prompted their shift in thinking, the logistical hurdles of changing their operation, and the outcomes they’ve witnessed in their land and ledger books. A recurring segment called "Over Grazing" digs into the specific problems and hard-won lessons that come with this way of farming. This isn’t just a science or nature podcast; it’s a practical resource built on shared experience, aiming to strengthen a community where knowledge about profitable, grass-based systems is passed along openly. Tune in for honest stories that get to the root of what it means to work with the land.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming
Podcast Episodes
159. Pioneering New Paths in Agriculture with Nathan Stucky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:50
In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Nathan Stucky of Stucky Family Ranch returns to discuss the latest innovations in sustainable agriculture. From integrating new cattle genetics to exploring advanced data col…
157. The Art of Breeding Grass-fed Cattle with Steve Campbell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:19
In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, esteemed cattle consultant Steve Campbell shares his remarkable journey from a stocker cattle manager to a leading figure in grass-finished beef production. Following a life-…
156. Local Meat from Pasture to Plate with Thomas Wade & Emily Lane [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:37
Join us on a journey to Emory, Texas, as we explore the innovative multi-species ranching operation at Legends Cattle Company with our guests, Thomas and Emily. Thomas shares how their family-run ranch has expanded over…
155. From the Ground Up with Stephanie Anderson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:10
Travel with us from the vast plains of South Dakota to the sunny landscapes of Florida as we explore the transformative journey of Stephanie Anderson, a passionate advocate for regenerative agriculture. Discover how her…
154. Bee Kept with Adam Martin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:00
Unlock the secrets to successful farm stacking and low-maintenance beekeeping as we share the inspiring journey of Adam Martin from B Strong Homestead in Cologa, Tennessee. Adam transitioned from city life to homesteadin…
e153. Ag Stewardship with Jared Sorensen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:15
Jared Sorensen, a passionate rancher and steward, shares his captivating journey through the world of ranching, revealing the unique challenges and triumphs of managing Secret Pass Livestock in northeastern Nevada. Growi…
152. Virtual Fencing from Halter with Theo Beaumont [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:33
Theo Beaumont, from the forefront of agricultural innovation, joins us to share his journey and insights into the world of virtual fencing technology. From growing up to navigating a potential career in banking, Theo fou…