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.

This episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast features the audio-only version of a Rural Resilience webinar, created for listeners who prefer to learn on the go. The full video presentation is available for those who would like to see visuals and demonstrations.

In this episode, ranchers share real-world examples of how technology is changing land and livestock management while supporting long-term stewardship.

Rancher Ryan Lankford explains how GPS ear tags help him monitor cattle across large landscapes and make better management decisions whether he is on the ranch or away.

Custom grazer Steve Kenyon discusses how fall frost seeding with drones can make forage establishment easier, faster, and more efficient within extended grazing systems.

This recording includes a 60-minute presentation followed by a 30-minute live question and answer discussion.

Speakers
Ryan Lankford grew up in a farm family on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and returned home after serving in the U.S. Army and earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering to continue his family’s agricultural legacy.

Steve Kenyon owns Greener Pastures Ranching Ltd. in Alberta, Canada and has more than 20 years of experience teaching sustainable grazing management.

Watch the full video version of this episode at https://youtu.be/D3w7pqhGqCI

Upcoming live webinars in the Rural Resilience series
Ranch Health: Cattle Vaccination Best Practices on February 5, 2026
Ranch Water: Low-Tech, High-Impact Restoration on February 19, 2026
Ranch Insights: Sheep Industry Takeaways for Beef on March 5, 2026

Cost: Free
Pre-registration required
Register at ranchstewards.org/events

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.

The Ranch Workforce Project is a limited series podcast collaboration between the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and Montana State University’s Dan Scott Ranch Management Program. While the series is rooted in ranching, the conversations are relevant across all of agriculture, including farming, orchards, specialty crop operations, and diversified agricultural businesses facing workforce challenges.

In this preview episode, host Haylie Shipp is joined by Rachel Frost to introduce the purpose of the series and the shared labor issues affecting agricultural operations nationwide. From recruiting and training new employees to managing expectations, workplace culture, and long term career pathways, this series takes a practical look at how agriculture can better prepare, support, and retain its workforce.

Drawing on experience working directly with both producers and students, this episode sets the stage for honest conversations about what is working, what is not, and where opportunities exist to strengthen the agricultural labor pipeline, regardless of operation size or production type.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why workforce challenges are affecting every sector of agriculture
• The disconnect between interested young people and agricultural employment opportunities
• Managing expectations for both employers and employees
• The role of mentorship, communication, and workplace culture in employee retention
• What listeners can expect from the Ranch Workforce Project series

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.