Tuned in to the Land
Episodes
60 episodes
Episode 5.9: A Ranch Lost, A Life’s Work Found
For many ranching families, the land is more than a place to work—it’s part of their identity, history, and family story. When that relationship with the land changes, the impact can last for generations.In this episode, host and CEO of ...
Episode 5.8: Passing the Ranch On
Succession is one of the greatest challenges facing the ranching industry today. With an estimated 70% of U.S. farms and ranches expected to change hands over the next 20 years, thoughtful planning will be essential to ensuring these operations...
Episode 5.7: A Rancher's Voice in a Digital World
Agriculture has never been more visible. As social media gives consumers unprecedented access to life on the farm and ranch, producers have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to share their stories with authenticity and transparency.In ...
Episode 5.6: Inside Ranch America
In this episode, host and CEO Michael Delbar sits down with River Klass, first-generation rancher, restaurateur, and host of the Outdoor Channel’s Ranch America. Together, they explore the realities of ranch life and the critical role ...
Episode 5.5: Reconnecting California to its Roots
California has a long and deeply rooted agricultural history, yet today the state is often defined by technology, urban growth, and innovation hubs like Silicon Valley. As communities become increasingly urbanized, the connection between people...
Episode 5.4: Van Vleck Ranch - Balancing Tradition and Innovation
Last week, we celebrated Earth Day—but for ranchers, that responsibility doesn’t only come once a year. Stewardship is part of the job, every day. Caring for working lands means tending soil, water, and wildlife habitat while sustaining the agr...
Episode 5.3: Women on the Range - Karen Sweet’s Story
March is always a meaningful time. It is a chance to celebrate International Women’s Day and National Ag Day, all while recognizing the people who shape our agricultural landscapes. This year carries even greater significance as it also marks t...
Episode 5.2: Grazing on Public Lands
Grazing has long played a vital role in sustaining the landscapes of the American West. Thoughtfully managed, livestock grazing supports healthy rangelands by reducing invasive species, managing fuel loads that can contribute to catastrophic wi...
Episode 5.1: Ranching, Leadership, & Legacy
In this first episode of Season Five of Tuned in to the Land, host Michael Delbar sits down with rancher Katie Delbar, a former USDA Farm Service Agency County Executive Director and current member of the California State Board of Forestry and ...
Episode 4.11: Milestones & Momentum - A Conversation with Our New Board Chair
In the final episode of Season 4 of Tuned in to the Land, CEO and host, Michael Delbar, sits down with newly elected Rangeland Trust Chair, Clayton Koopmann. A sixth-generation rancher from Sunol, California, Clayton brings deep family...
Episode 4.10: Where the Land Heals - Veterans, Faith, and the Mighty Oaks Mission
Out here on California’s rangelands, we talk a lot about stewardship—the responsibility to care for the land so it can continue to sustain generations to come. But sometimes, the land gives something back to us in return: peace, perspective, an...
Episode 4.9: Rooted in Change - Strengthening Ranching Through Partnership
At the Rangeland Trust, we’re rooted in conserving California’s working lands through voluntary conservation easements—but just as vital is our commitment to supporting the ranchers who care for these lands every day. Yet today’s producers face...
Episode 4.8: Preserving the Stories of California's Ranching Families
At the Rangeland Trust, conserving California’s working landscapes means more than protecting open space—it also means preserving the stories of the people who steward them. Ranching families carry generations of knowledge, resilience, and trad...
Episode 4.7: Reflecting on the Realities of Ranching in Modern-Day California
At the Rangeland Trust, we are honored to work alongside people whose livelihoods are deeply tied to the health of the land. Ranchers know that caring for the land is more than a responsibility—it’s a way of life built on stewardship, grit, and...
Episode 4.6: The Cowboy Side of California
In celebration of the National Day of the Cowboy, we’re taking you to the “cowboy side of California” — the small town of Parkfield — where the Varian family has spent generations stewarding the land, building community, and sharing the ...
Episode 4.5: Ag Advocacy in the Digital Age
In this episode of Tuned in to the Land, host and CEO, Michael Delbar, sits down with Natalie Kovarik — a fourth-generation cattle rancher, ag advocate, and co-host of the Discover Ag podcast. Together, they explore the critical role c...
Episode 4.4: Getting Prepared for Wildfire Season
Year after year, wildfires in California grow more intense, more unpredictable, and more devastating. We’ve watched fire seasons stretch longer, push first responders beyond capacity, and leave entire communities reeling. Water has run out mid-...
Episode 4.3: The Greenhouse Gas Guru
Every day is Earth Day on ranches. Through grazing, stewardship, and conservation, the work happening on these landscapes quietly supports healthier ecosystems, thriving wildlife, and even a more stable climate.That’s why, in honor of Ea...
Episode 4.2: Celebrating California Agriculture
In celebration of California Agriculture Day, this Wednesday, March 19th, we sat down with California Secretary of Agriculture, Karen Ross for this special episode of Tuned In to the Land.Throughout the conversation, Secretary R...
Episode 4.1: Crafting Western Tradition
Throughout history, the American West has been shaped not only by the ranchers and cowboys who work the land but also by the skilled artisans who create the tools and treasures that define the lifestyle. In this episode, host & CEO, Michael...
Episode 3.12: 2024 Conservationist of the Year
Each year, the Rangeland Trust honors a landowner partner as the Conservationist of the Year, recognizing their commitment to voluntary conservation and dedication to preserving California's working landscapes. This year’s recipient is Ernest B...
BONUS: Healthy Soils - Foundation for Resilience
In this episode, host & CEO, Michael Delbar, digs deeper—quite literally—into how the Stones have put soil health at the forefront of their management practices. Together, they explore a variety of innovative programs they’re involved in, a...
Episode 3.11: Champions for Conservation
Yolo Land and Cattle Co. is a multi-generational ranch, owned and operated by the Stone family. Nestled in the hills of Yolo County, their ranch is a familiar sight for travelers along I-505 and I-5. For five generations, the Stones have worked...
Episode 3.10: The Farm-to-Fork Movement
Sacramento, California, home to the State Capitol, also holds the title of "Farm-to-Fork Capital of the World". Surrounded by fertile farm and ranch land, the city has become a hub for fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and sustainable food pra...
