Wild Type Ranch, Northern Edition Part 1: Starting with Why

We're Moving! To Wisconsin! We've been incubating the evolution of Wild Type Ranch for the past 18 months and are finally ready to share our plans and progress. Over the next weeks, we'll be posting more details, so stay tuned!

Moving an entire ranch from Texas to Wisconsin is a VERY BIG endeavor. Simon Sinek famously recommends "Start with Why". As a business coach and consultant, I agree. Here's some of the Why's behind our move.

Supporting regenerative ag

I'm passionate about regenerative agriculture. It is my dream, before I die, to see 80% of the food consumed in the US be produced using regenerative practices. (I'm taking really good care of myself, 'cause I may need to live to be 150!). I believe the best thing I personally can do to promote the regenerative food system is to directly help new farmers get started. The Wisconsin farm will be operated by a couple next generation farmers, in addition to myself. (My business partner reminds me that in Wisconsin, it is a "farm", but we're still keeping the "ranch" in our name).

Positioning for a future world

I admit it; I worry about the future of our planet and our species. We are exceeding/have exceeded numerous planetary boundaries. I believe our food system needs a serious overhaul. Add in economy, energy, geopolitical issues and there's almost too much to bear. I cope by focusing on my sphere of influence. "Do what you can, with what you've got, where you are" is one of Teddy Roosevelt's most famous quotes. I am doing what I can to increase the likelihood that our human species will still be around in 1000 years.

Doing our part and Walking our talk

The motto of Wild Type Ranch's new incarnation is "Healthy soils, nutritious food, balanced living and engaged community". The founding principle of the original Wild Type Ranch, "Respect for all life", still resonates in all we do. We utilize regenerative practices. We are putting the farm into a permanent ag easement and structuring the business to become a legacy farm, designed to be operating 100 years from now. We are working toward a circular economy, and staying mindful of our personal consumption. We look forward to becoming a valued and integral part of our local community, from implementing a Milpa patch to share with local food philanthropies, to on-farm events, and of course ,to trusted relationships with our customers.

A Capstone to my life

Due to age and other life circumstances, Ralph and I downsized our own regenerative operation in Texas over the past years (we're still selling some darn good beef,  through March!). After taking stock of my talents and lifetime experiences, providing the scaffold for a multi-operator regenerative pastured protein business seemed a pretty good occupation for this last (or next) phase of my professional life. I'm using my decade of coaching early stage ag/ag-tech businesses to give us a sound foundation, my investing and marketing experience to build our business model and even 15 years in the corporate board room is coming in handy.

Here's what I consider most essential for a healthy and fulfilling elderhood:

• Purposeful endeavor

• Active lifestyle

• Healthy food

• Being close to family and friends

• Nature and time outdoors

• Contemplative/meditative practice

For me, this means moving close to my wonderful family of origin, working with two next-generation members of the family, and a values-aligned business partner, raising nutritious food in harmony with nature and taking the time to feed my spiritual development.

A main reason for starting this blog was to chronicle our process; share what we're learning, our successes, failures, joys and philosophy. Sign up to receive notification of our updates. Follow along and please leave your own thoughts!