e146. Building a Partnership and Regenerative Ranch with McKinley Smoot and Mitch Dumke

e146. Building a Partnership and Regenerative Ranch with McKinley Smoot and Mitch Dumke

Author: Grazing Grass November 27, 2024 Duration: 1:02:46

Join us for an engaging exploration of regenerative grazing with McKinley Smoot and Mitch Dumpke of Three Springs Landing Cattle. Mitch, transitioning from a tech background to regenerative agriculture, shares his insights alongside McKinley, who brings a lifetime of ranching experience and holistic management. Discover the dynamics of their collaborative venture, including the challenges and learning experiences faced in starting their grass-finishing cattle and pastured chicken operation in Utah. Despite some technical issues with Mitch's audio, McKinley provides invaluable perspectives on their practices, complemented by updates on our own farm and exciting upcoming changes to the podcast.

Listen in as Mitch recounts his journey from veganism to embracing a more holistic approach to meat consumption. This transformation is fueled by an understanding of nutritional value and ethical meat production practices. We explore the significance of connecting with food sources, contrasting fast food with sustainably raised livestock, and discuss the impact of agro-tourism in fostering deeper consumer-farmer relationships. The partnership of Mitch, James, and McKinley brings together diverse perspectives—environmental, nutritional, and more—showcasing their shared dedication to sustainable agriculture.


The future of sustainable agriculture takes center stage as we navigate the challenges of profitability in farming, particularly amid rising land values and development pressures. Discover the creative solutions employed by McKinley and Mitch, from using Joel Salatin's methods to innovative electric fencing, all underscoring the potential for sustainable practices to thrive. The conversation sheds light on their perseverance in building a sustainable business model, emphasizing the importance of community support, adaptability, and a commitment to transparency. As they strive to maintain financial viability and ecological balance, the narrative highlights the collaborative efforts in holistic ranch management and the continuous journey of learning and improvement.


Links Mentioned in the Episode
3 Springs Land & Livestock


Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute
Redmond
Kencove Farm Fence


Grazing Grass Links
New Listener Resource Guide

Provide feedback for the podcast
Website
Insiders
Resources (Coming Soon)
Community (on Facebook) 



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
199. Soil-First Grazing and Earned Efficiency with Rachel Bouressa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:30
Rachel Bouressa of Bouressa Family Farm joins us from central Wisconsin, where she’s a fifth-generation farmer and second-generation grazier managing 120 acres with a soil-first mindset. After returning home following a…
198. Adding Wildlife Income Streams to Your Ranch with Doug Jobes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:10
Today’s episode features Doug Jobes, Regenerative Ranching Advisor at the Noble Research Institute, whose background spans rural Georgia agriculture, the 75th Ranger Regiment, wildlife science, and rangeland ecology. Dou…
197. Silvopasture in the Real World with Austin Unruh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:51
Austin Unruh returns for another deep, practical conversation on silvopasture — this time focusing on “the dip,” livestock pressure, pruning, shade strategy, pigs and poultry in tree systems, and what to do in Year Zero…
195. South Poll Field Day Special: Real Ranchers, Real Results [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01:58
In this special in-person episode recorded at the South Poll Field Day, Cal sits down with some of the biggest names connected to the South Poll breed and regenerative grazing movement — Teddy Gentry, Greg Judy, Ralph &…
193. Building Intentional Farms from Neglected Land with Stan Oller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:03
Stan and his wife began farming in 2021 after adopting four children and realizing they wanted to raise them with meaningful work and stewardship. Starting with neglected, junk-filled land, they’ve built a regenerative,…
192. Fitness Meets Farming in the Ottawa Valley with Adam Phomin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:16
In this episode, Cal talks with Adam Phomin from Hoof and Beak Farm in eastern Ontario, Canada. Adam shares his journey from fitness coach and gym owner to regenerative farmer, raising sheep, cattle, chickens, and llamas…