What happens when ranchers, conservation partners, and local communities all pull in the same direction?

In this episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, we pull back the curtain on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance’s Conservation Committee.

Host Haylie Shipp is joined by Martin Townsend, Conservation Director for the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, and Leo Barthelmess, rancher and RSA Board Member currently serving as Co-Treasurer, for a conversation about how this committee came together, why it matters, and how it has become one of RSA’s most impactful efforts.

What started as a small, relationship-driven idea has grown into a powerful model for delivering conservation projects that keep ranches productive, improve wildlife habitat, and strengthen rural communities. Through collaboration with more than 30 partners, including conservation organizations, agencies, and academic institutions, the Conservation Committee has helped bring millions of dollars into north central Montana and put those funds to work on the ground.

From the committee’s early days to the way projects are identified, mapped, matched with funding, and implemented, this episode offers a firsthand look at the people and partnerships behind the work. Martin shares how the process functions today, while Leo reflects on the rancher perspective and RSA’s growth over the past decade.

In this episode:

• How the Conservation Committee got its start
• Why ranchers wanted a seat at the table
• The role of partners in expanding opportunity
• How conservation projects move from idea to implementation
• The growth of RSA’s impact across working lands
• Why mutually beneficial solutions are key to long-term success

This is more than a conversation about funding. It is about building a model where ranching, conservation, and community all move forward together.

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.

Hiring the right person is only the beginning. The way a new employee is introduced to a ranch operation can shape their success, confidence, and long-term future in agriculture.

In this episode, Haylie Shipp and Rachel Frost are joined by Aaron Paulson of Switchback Ranch to discuss why intentional onboarding is one of the most important and often overlooked parts of managing people in agriculture.

Drawing from years of experience supervising interns, apprentices, seasonal workers, and full-time employees, Aaron shares practical strategies for setting new hires up for success. From structured first-day orientation and clear expectations to hands-on training and communication, he explains why investing time up front pays dividends throughout the season.

The conversation also explores how strong onboarding can build confidence, reduce frustration, and help employees understand their role within the broader goals of a ranch operation.

In this episode

• Why first impressions matter for new ranch employees
• What effective onboarding actually looks like in practice
• How clear expectations and structure prevent early mistakes
• The "see it, do it, teach it" approach to training
• Helping new employees build confidence and independence
• Creating clear reporting structures and communication pathways
• Supporting employee growth through education and mentorship
• Why seasonal employees can become part of a long-term workforce pipeline
• Using exit conversations to improve future hiring and management

Strong onboarding is not just about orientation. It is about building capable employees, strengthening ranch culture, and investing in the future of agriculture.

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.

What makes a great ranch employee, and how do you actually find and hire them?

Cracking the Code to the Ideal Ranch Employee

Finding and hiring the right people can be one of the most frustrating, and most rewarding, parts of ranch management.

In this episode of the Ranch Workforce Project, host Haylie Shipp of the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and co-host Rachel Frost of the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University are joined by Dr. Trey Patterson, CEO of Padlock Ranch.

Together they discuss what it takes to recruit, interview, and hire great employees in today’s ranch workforce.

Dr. Patterson shares how Padlock Ranch approaches hiring, from writing clear job descriptions to conducting structured interviews that reveal more than what appears on a resume. Frost adds perspective from working with students preparing to enter the industry and explains why attitude, humility, and a willingness to learn often matter as much as technical skills.

The conversation also tackles an important question for ranch managers today. Are we creating the kinds of jobs people actually want, or are we simply frustrated that fewer people want the jobs we have always offered?

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Why ranch labor challenges are not only about the work, but also about changing workforce expectations
• The importance of attitude, humility, and motivation when evaluating candidates
• How structured interviews can help reveal character and problem solving ability
• Why honesty about remote locations and job realities helps prevent hiring mismatches
• How intentional recruiting can help ranches build a stronger applicant pool

Resources and Links

Dan Scott Ranch Management Program
https://animalrange.montana.edu/danscott/

Padlock Ranch
https://padlockranch.com/

Dr. Trey Patterson on the Ranching Returns Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/176-dr-trey-patterson-padlock-ranch/id1555361402?i=1000658419243

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.