You hired well. You trained well. Everything seemed right.
Then they left.

If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.

Employee turnover is one of the biggest challenges in agriculture today, and every time someone leaves, it costs time, energy, and momentum.

In this episode of The Ranch Workforce Project, Haylie Shipp and Rachel Frost (Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University) are joined by Chris Redman, former Turner Ranches manager, to break down what actually keeps employees on a ranch.

It is not just the paycheck.

Today’s ranch employees are looking for purpose, connection, and a sense of belonging. The ranches that understand this are the ones building strong, lasting teams.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to define your ranch’s culture and why it is the foundation of retention
• Why onboarding is more than a first day process and how to do it right
• The overlooked role of spouses, families, and community in employee satisfaction
• Simple and practical ways to boost morale and engagement
• What “treat it like you own it” really means and when it does not work
• How to spot burnout before an employee quits
• Why your best employees may be disengaging and how to address it
• The power of stay interviews and the one question you should always ask
• Bridging generational gaps in expectations around work and life
• How to create a culture where feedback, growth, and teamwork are the norm

Bottom line:
Great ranches do not just hire good people. They keep them. That starts with intentional culture, clear communication, and creating a place where people feel like they belong.

If you are tired of constant turnover, this episode will give you practical tools to start building a team that stays.

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 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.