“Our mission is to raise healthy animals, to get a healthy product by having healthy soil.” —Mandy Schmidt
Healthy soil leads to healthy animals, which in turn lead to nutrient-dense, sustainable food. This cyclical relationship holds the key to a more resilient food system.
Mandy Schmidt is a 5th generation rancher at Marin Coast Ranch, where she and her family have been raising grass-fed livestock for over 30 years. Committed to regenerative agriculture, Mandy prioritizes land stewardship and species-appropriate diets to produce the highest quality meat.
In this episode, Mandy shares the secrets to her family's sustainable ranching practices, from the importance of soil health to the benefits of grass-fed beef and lamb. Tune in as Justine and Mandy talk about the definition of grass-fed vs. grass-finished livestock, the role of soil health in animal and human nutrition, generational knowledge and continuous learning in family farming, transparency and consumer education in sustainable agriculture, and more.
Meet Mandy:
Mandy Schmidt is a 5th generation rancher at Marin Coast Ranch in West Marin, California. Mandy and her family have been raising grass-fed beef cattle, sheep, and goats on their family ranch for over 30 years. Committed to sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices, Mandy prioritizes soil health and species-appropriate diets for her livestock. As a mother of two, Mandy is passionate about providing nutrient-dense, transparent food options for her community. Mandy leads ranch tours and educational events to connect consumers with the origins of their food. Through her work, Mandy aims to inspire others to make more informed choices about the food they consume and its impact on personal and planetary health.
Connect with NextGen Purpose:
Episode Highlights:
01:27 Traditional Livestock Care Methods
03:29 Grass0Fed vs Grass-Finished
07:08 Evolving Conversations About Food
10:34 The Role of Soil Health and Food Quality
14:58 Buying Power and Direct Relationships
18:35 Questions for Informed Choices
22:45 Generational Challenges and Continous Learning
27:10 Transparency and Consumer Education