Every working ranch tells two stories, the one behind us, and the one we are still trying to write.

This episode marks the beginning of a 10 episode limited series collaboration between Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program. Together, the series focuses on one of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture today, labor.

In Episode 1, host Haylie Shipp is joined by co host Rachel Frost and guest Marty Ropp to explore why the traditional agricultural labor pipeline is no longer enough. The conversation centers on why the industry must look beyond familiar avenues, reach people we are not currently engaging, and rethink long held assumptions about who belongs in agriculture.

Marty Ropp brings decades of experience from the beef genetics industry and shares insights from launching New Acres, a nonprofit focused on connecting people with life changing careers in agriculture. Rachel Frost provides perspective from the collegiate level through her leadership of the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program, which blends academic instruction with hands on, on the ground ranch internships.

Together, they discuss:

• Why the agricultural labor shortage requires new ways of thinking
• The importance of looking outside traditional recruitment channels
• Challenges that arise when bringing new people into rural and agricultural spaces
• How ranchers, educators, and industry leaders must adapt their approach to training and mentorship
• Why changing how we think about labor is essential to the future of working lands and rural communities

This episode sets the foundation for a series of honest conversations about labor, leadership, and the future of agriculture.

About the Series

The Ranch Workforce Project is a 10 episode limited series created in collaboration between Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University. Each episode focuses on labor in agriculture, exploring practical challenges and real world solutions from multiple perspectives including ranchers, students, educators, and industry leaders.

Featured Organizations

Dan Scott Ranch Management Program (Montana State University)
https://www.montana.edu/ranchmanagement/
New Acres
https://www.newacresproject.org/

Support the show

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.