590: How Cattle Can Green The Desert With Alejandro Carrillo

590: How Cattle Can Green The Desert With Alejandro Carrillo

Author: Weston A. Price Foundation August 3, 2026 Duration: 56:19

What if cattle could help restore degraded land, increase biodiversity, improve water cycles, and even produce more nutrient-dense food?

This week, regenerative rancher Alejandro Carrillo joins us from the Chihuahuan Desert of northern Mexico to explain how holistic grazing transformed his family's ranch from bare, compacted ground into thriving grasslands teeming with life. Alejandro describes the surprisingly simple management changes that allowed nature to begin healing itself—and why he believes many of the world's degraded landscapes can recover as well.

Alejandro explains how healthy soil functions like a sponge, why weeds are often nature's first responders, and how carefully managed herds can improve water infiltration, increase plant diversity, and support wildlife ranging from migratory birds to predators. He also shares fascinating research suggesting that regenerative grazing may produce exceptionally nutrient-dense beef rich in beneficial compounds rarely measured in conventional food analyses.

Along the way, we discuss the importance of working with nature rather than fighting it, how regenerative ranching can help ranchers remain profitable while improving the land, and why Alejandro believes this approach offers hope not only for farmers and ranchers, but for anyone concerned about the future of our food, our health, and the environment.

WAPF Ad - Spanish-language resources from the Weston A. Price Foundation - Visit westonaprice.org and click on "WAPF en Español" and be sure to check out our Spanish-language podcast Tradiciones Sabias at https://www.westonaprice.org/tradiciones-sabias-podcast/#gsc.tab=0

Visit Alejandro Carrillo's website to learn more – https://www.desertgrasslands.com

Join the Nourishing Our Children closed Facebook group 

Check out our sponsors:
Nutrition Therapy Institute - "Podcast listeners get 50% off their first course - that’s $475 in savings." 

Goddess Vitality by Optimal Carnivore - “Use code WESTON10 for 10% off”


Hosted by the Weston A. Price Foundation, Wise Traditions explores a path to well-being rooted in the diets and lifestyles of ancestral cultures. This podcast operates from a simple premise: that the secrets to robust health aren't found in the latest trends or synthetic supplements, but in the time-tested traditions of our ancestors. Each episode delves into practical wisdom, from preparing nutrient-dense foods and understanding the role of animal fats to exploring holistic approaches to fitness and mental wellness. You'll hear from researchers, farmers, doctors, and practitioners who are applying these principles today, offering conversations that challenge conventional health narratives. The discussions are grounded in the work of Dr. Weston A. Price, whose famous observation that "Life in all its fullness is mother nature obeyed" serves as a guiding light. Tuning in provides a deep dive into how traditional foods, regenerative agriculture, and a respectful approach to nature's design can fundamentally reshape your health. It's for anyone feeling disconnected from natural ways of living and curious about how the wisdom of the past can inform a healthier, more vibrant present. The Wise Traditions podcast is a resource for those ready to look beyond the mainstream and consider how ancestral knowledge holds critical answers for modern life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Wise Traditions
Podcast Episodes
586: A Return To Traditional Herbalism With Kate Tietje [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:21
Kate Tietje believes plants carry wisdom—and in this episode, she explains why herbal remedies have remained trusted tools for healing across generations. Kate is the founder of Earthley Wellness, a longtime herbalist, h…
584: The Religion Of Vaccines With Aaron Siri [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:20
In this episode, Aaron Siri discusses why he believes vaccines have become more than a medical issue—they’ve become a kind of modern religion. Drawing from themes in his book, Vaccines, Amen: The Religion of Vaccines, Aa…
583: Ferments, Gut Health & Microbial Healing With Vanessa Hargrove [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:19
What if some of the most powerful medicines aren’t found in a prescription bottle – but in the microbes living inside traditional fermented foods? Vanessa Hargrove joins the podcast to explain how foods like kefir, kombu…
582: The Cost Of Silence With Jeffrey Tucker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:13
What really happened during the COVID era—and why are so many people still afraid to talk about it? Jeffrey Tucker became one of the leading voices questioning lockdowns, censorship, and vaccine mandates during the COVID…
579: The Ayurvedic Approach To Postpartum Healing With Christina Eck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:58
In many traditional cultures, the weeks following birth are understood as a critical window—one that shapes a mother’s long-term health, energy, and emotional well-being. But in the modern world, postpartum care is often…