Home Podcasts Ruminations
Ruminations

Ruminations

Savory Institute 15 Episodes Sep 29, 2025

Exploring the complex, beautiful, and contextual work of regenerating landscapes – one conversation at a time.

Episodes

Bison Ranching with No Money, No Land, and No Animals
Bison Ranching with No Money, No Land, and No Animals Sep 29, 2025 5822 #14 – Sarah Murphy is a first-generation bison rancher and founder of Murphy Legacy Bison, a 900-acre cow–calf operation and meat brand outside of Durango in the SW corner of Colorado. Before her ranching days, she led marketing at Whole Foods Market and later at the Savory Institute where her dreams of managing bison emerged. Her leap into ranching was enabled in part by the mentorship of Mimi Hi
Heifer International, Heifer USA, & Holistic Management
Heifer International, Heifer USA, & Holistic Management Jul 30, 2025 5356 #13 – Donna Kilpatrick is the Director of Regeneration at Heifer Ranch, the 1,200-acre U.S. agricultural training center of Heifer International based in Perryville, Arkansas where she directs regenerative land management, supports farmer-led supply chains, and pilots on-farm innovation to improve ecosystem outcomes. In addition to overseeing livestock operations at Heifer Ranch, Donna has helped
This Regenerative Vineyard is Redefining Terroir
This Regenerative Vineyard is Redefining Terroir Jul 16, 2025 5353 #12 – Michael Frey is the co-founder of DIRT Wine and second-generation steward of Mariah Vineyards, producer of the world's first Land to Market Verified wines. Located on a remote ridge 2,400 feet above sea level in Mendocino County, California, Michael and his wife Nicole have transformed her family’s vineyard into a thriving model of regenerative viticulture—farming without irrigation or synth
Regenerative Economics w/ Hunter Lovins
Regenerative Economics w/ Hunter Lovins Jul 2, 2025 3889 #11 – Hunter Lovins is a regenerative-economy trailblazer, co-author of the bestselling books Natural Capitalism and A Finer Future, and a force behind initiatives that help farmers, CEOs, and even entire nations build “economies in service of life.” In this episode, we revisit the big ideas of Natural Capitalism 25 years on, unpack Hunter’s blueprint for a just, regenerative economy, and hear why
Growing the World's Best Wool
Growing the World's Best Wool Jun 18, 2025 5621 In this episode, we sit down with Jen Hunter and Andy Wear of Fernhill Farm and Fernhill Fiber, recognized as the 2022 Sheep Farmers of the Year by Farmers Weekly. With decades of shepherding under their belts, they share insights on how they've transformed their hilltop farm into a thriving cultural and ecological hub, cross-breeding 6 types of sheep to produce premium wool, on-farm events with 2
Ecological Monitoring & Nomadic Living Across Europe
Ecological Monitoring & Nomadic Living Across Europe Jun 4, 2025 6193 In this episode of Ruminations, we explore what it means to be in relationship with place—even while living a nomadic lifestyle. Our guest is Leon Bucher: Holistic Management educator, EOV Verifier, and one of five members of Savory’s Global Quality Assurance team for Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV). Together, we unpack how EOV works—not just the mechanics, but the deeper meaning. Leon share
The Dirt on Soil Health Policy & Legislation
The Dirt on Soil Health Policy & Legislation May 21, 2025 5571 In this episode of Ruminations, we dig into the legislative soil beneath America’s regenerative agriculture movement with Aria McLauchlan, co-founder and executive director of LandCore. Aria brings a rare insider’s view of how soil health is making its way into federal and state policy—often against the odds.   We explore how LandCore is reshaping the policy landscape by working alongside USDA, le
Regenerating Patagonia's Grasslands
Regenerating Patagonia's Grasslands May 14, 2025 5014 In this episode we're joined by Pablo Borelli, co-founder of Ovis 21, the Savory Hub in Argentina. With a background in agronomy and extensive experience in Holistic Management, Pablo shares insights on how Ovis 21 has impacted over 26 million hectares and trained over 5,000 people in Holistic Management over the last decade. The conversation explores Pablo’s journey, the underlying principles and
The Nutritional Merits of Animal Sourced Foods
The Nutritional Merits of Animal Sourced Foods May 6, 2025 5575 In this episode of Ruminations, we sit down with registered dietician and author Diana Rodgers to discuss her recent peer-reviewed paper on the nutritional benefits of animal-sourced foods. We delve into the challenges and biases she faced in getting her research published and break down common misconceptions about meat consumption. The conversation covers detailed nutritional information, the imp
Opening the Gate For a New Generation of Cowgirls
Opening the Gate For a New Generation of Cowgirls Apr 30, 2025 6814 Beth Robinette is a fourth-generation cattle rancher, educator, and co-founder of New Cowgirl Camp (https://www.newcowgirlcamp.com/) who joins the podcast to talk about what it really means to build a more inclusive, resilient future for agriculture.   From her roots on the Lazy R Ranch in Washington’s channeled scablands to her work leading education at UVE (a Savory Hub covering the I
Running a Grassfed and Regenerative Dairy Farm
Running a Grassfed and Regenerative Dairy Farm Apr 22, 2025 7999 In this episode of Ruminations, we’re joined by Paul and Phyllis Van Amburgh of Dharma Lea—a 100% grass-fed, holistically managed dairy in upstate New York. They share their unlikely journey from first-time conventional dairy farmers to nationally recognized leaders in regenerative agriculture. What changed everything? Holistic Management. We get into the weeds of what that transition really looke
Running a Regenerative Business with Tre Cates
Running a Regenerative Business with Tre Cates Apr 14, 2025 6384 Regenerative Business and Living Systems Design with Tre Cates In this episode of Ruminations, host Bobby Gill delves into regenerative business practices with Tre Cates, founder of nRhythm. They explore the concepts of living systems design, organizational health, and the distinction between managing complexity versus control. Cates shares his experiences from working with the Savory Institute, t

Recommended