Meat Up with California Ranchers en This brand-new series will have you meet the people, families, and communities behind California’s beef industry. In each episode, we’ll sit down with cattle ranchers and beef producers from across the state to hear their stories — how they care for their cattle, the land, and the traditions that make California ranching so unique. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/e1e9a4ee-b5e4-11f0-b45b-97bc0fc077bd/image/177a161ceccfaf6e349f97bc474a0e7e.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress Meat Up with California Ranchers episodic Hearst StoryStudio This brand-new series will have you meet the people, families, and communities behind California’s beef industry. In each episode, we’ll sit down with cattle ranchers and beef producers from across the state to hear their stories — how they care for their cattle, the land, and the traditions that make California ranching so unique. This brand-new series will have you meet the people, families, and communities behind California’s beef industry.

In each episode, we’ll sit down with cattle ranchers and beef producers from across the state to hear their stories — how they care for their cattle, the land, and the traditions that make California ranching so unique.

]]> Hearst StoryStudio monti.rossetti@hearststorystudio.com 8. Matt and Mike Byrne Today we’re diving into more than 145 years of ranching tradition with Mike Byrne and Matt Byrne, ranchers with the Robert A. Byrne Company. The Byrne family has stewarded land across California and Oregon for six generations, leading the way in regenerative ranching, rotational grazing, and wildlife-focused conservation. From the Modoc National Forest to private rangelands, Mike and Matt are proving that healthy cattle and healthy ecosystems can thrive together. This is Meat Up with California Ranchers. Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:08:00 -0000 full Hearst StoryStudio Today we’re diving into more than 145 years of ranching tradition with Mike Byrne and Matt Byrne, ranchers with the Robert A. Byrne Company. The Byrne family has stewarded land across California and Oregon for six generations, leading the way in regenerative ranching, rotational grazing, and wildlife-focused conservation. From the Modoc National Forest to private rangelands, Mike and Matt are proving that healthy cattle and healthy ecosystems can thrive together. This is Meat Up with California Ranchers. Today we’re diving into more than 145 years of ranching tradition with Mike Byrne and Matt Byrne, ranchers with the Robert A. Byrne Company.

The Byrne family has stewarded land across California and Oregon for six generations, leading the way in regenerative ranching, rotational grazing, and wildlife-focused conservation. From the Modoc National Forest to private rangelands, Mike and Matt are proving that healthy cattle and healthy ecosystems can thrive together.

This is Meat Up with California Ranchers.

]]> 728 no 7. Brooke and Betsy Today we’re talking legacy, grit, and the power of family with Betsy Behlen and her daughter Brooke Helsel of the Dot Seven Ranch. The Behlen family’s ranching roots stretch back nearly a century, and today, Betsy and Brooke carry that heritage forward—balancing tradition with innovation through their direct-to-consumer beef business, Dot Seven Ranch Beef. Together, they share how hard work, faith, and family have shaped generations of ranchers—and what it means to keep that spirit alive for the next. Fri, 05 Dec 2025 18:35:00 -0000 full Hearst StoryStudio Today we’re talking legacy, grit, and the power of family with Betsy Behlen and her daughter Brooke Helsel of the Dot Seven Ranch. The Behlen family’s ranching roots stretch back nearly a century, and today, Betsy and Brooke carry that heritage forward—balancing tradition with innovation through their direct-to-consumer beef business, Dot Seven Ranch Beef. Together, they share how hard work, faith, and family have shaped generations of ranchers—and what it means to keep that spirit alive for the next. Today we’re talking legacy, grit, and the power of family with Betsy Behlen and her daughter Brooke Helsel of the Dot Seven Ranch.

The Behlen family’s ranching roots stretch back nearly a century, and today, Betsy and Brooke carry that heritage forward—balancing tradition with innovation through their direct-to-consumer beef business, Dot Seven Ranch Beef.

Together, they share how hard work, faith, and family have shaped generations of ranchers—and what it means to keep that spirit alive for the next.

]]> 1555 no 6. Jack Hoekstra Today we’re talking dairy innovation, sustainability, and family tradition with Jack Hoekstra, third-generation dairyman and farmer at Hoekstra Dairy in Oakdale, California. From pioneering new cattle breeds to launching the Oakdale Calf Ranch and serving on boards like the California Beef Council and California Cattle Council, Jack’s helped shape the future of both dairy and beef in the Golden State. He’s seen the industry evolve firsthand — and he’s making sure the next generation is ready for what’s ahead. Tue, 25 Nov 2025 06:09:00 -0000 full Hearst StoryStudio Today we’re talking dairy innovation, sustainability, and family tradition with Jack Hoekstra, third-generation dairyman and farmer at Hoekstra Dairy in Oakdale, California. From pioneering new cattle breeds to launching the Oakdale Calf Ranch and serving on boards like the California Beef Council and California Cattle Council, Jack’s helped shape the future of both dairy and beef in the Golden State. He’s seen the industry evolve firsthand — and he’s making sure the next generation is ready for what’s ahead. Today we’re talking dairy innovation, sustainability, and family tradition with Jack Hoekstra, third-generation dairyman and farmer at Hoekstra Dairy in Oakdale, California.

From pioneering new cattle breeds to launching the Oakdale Calf Ranch and serving on boards like the California Beef Council and California Cattle Council, Jack’s helped shape the future of both dairy and beef in the Golden State.

He’s seen the industry evolve firsthand — and he’s making sure the next generation is ready for what’s ahead.

]]> 729 no 5. Alli and Bryce Fender Today we’re heading to the hills of San Diego County to meet Alli and Bryce Fender, co-owners and operators of Flying F Ranch. From starting their herd with just ten heifers to building a thriving direct-to-consumer beef business, this husband-and-wife team is redefining modern ranching — all with a bold motto that says it best: “We Give a Flying F About Beef.” Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:38:00 -0000 full Hearst StoryStudio Today we’re heading to the hills of San Diego County to meet Alli and Bryce Fender, co-owners and operators of Flying F Ranch. From starting their herd with just ten heifers to building a thriving direct-to-consumer beef business, this husband-and-wife team is redefining modern ranching — all with a bold motto that says it best: “We Give a Flying F About Beef.” Today we’re heading to the hills of San Diego County to meet Alli and Bryce Fender, co-owners and operators of Flying F Ranch.

From starting their herd with just ten heifers to building a thriving direct-to-consumer beef business, this husband-and-wife team is redefining modern ranching — all with a bold motto that says it best: “We Give a Flying F About Beef.”

]]> 908 no 4. Nicole Morris Today we’re talking all things dairy with Nicole Morris — a fourth-generation dairy farmer and Dairy Science professor at Modesto Junior College. Nicole and her family run their own dairy, raising cows while also raising two kids — and somehow, she still finds time to mentor the next generation of ag leaders and advocate for farmers online as The Milk Diva.   From life on the farm to life in the classroom, Nicole’s passion for cows, community, and California agriculture truly shines Thu, 13 Nov 2025 21:36:00 -0000 full Hearst StoryStudio Today we’re talking all things dairy with Nicole Morris — a fourth-generation dairy farmer and Dairy Science professor at Modesto Junior College. Nicole and her family run their own dairy, raising cows while also raising two kids — and somehow, she still finds time to mentor the next generation of ag leaders and advocate for farmers online as The Milk Diva.   From life on the farm to life in the classroom, Nicole’s passion for cows, community, and California agriculture truly shines Today we’re talking all things dairy with Nicole Morris — a fourth-generation dairy farmer and Dairy Science professor at Modesto Junior College.


Nicole and her family run their own dairy, raising cows while also raising two kids — and somehow, she still finds time to mentor the next generation of ag leaders and advocate for farmers online as The Milk Diva.

 

From life on the farm to life in the classroom, Nicole’s passion for cows, community, and California agriculture truly shines

]]> 1319 3. Steven and Jimmy Maxey We're joined by Steven Maxey, General Manager of The Meat Up, and his dad, Jimmy Maxey, founder of Fresno Meat and Beef Packers. The Maxey family has been shaping California’s beef industry for three generations — from ranching roots to innovative butcher shops and food partnerships that keep things fresh, local, and community-driven. Wed, 12 Nov 2025 20:27:00 -0000 full Hearst StoryStudio We're joined by Steven Maxey, General Manager of The Meat Up, and his dad, Jimmy Maxey, founder of Fresno Meat and Beef Packers. The Maxey family has been shaping California’s beef industry for three generations — from ranching roots to innovative butcher shops and food partnerships that keep things fresh, local, and community-driven. We're joined by Steven Maxey, General Manager of The Meat Up, and his dad, Jimmy Maxey, founder of Fresno Meat and Beef Packers.

The Maxey family has been shaping California’s beef industry for three generations — from ranching roots to innovative butcher shops and food partnerships that keep things fresh, local, and community-driven.

]]> 602 no 2. Rizpah Bellard For episode 2, I’m joined by Rizpah Bellard — social entrepreneur, cowgirl, and president of Nova Farming. She grew up ranching, studied at Cornell, and now she’s reconnecting kids to where food really comes from—sometimes with a friend from the farm in tow. Fri, 31 Oct 2025 21:45:00 -0000 full Hearst StoryStudio For episode 2, I’m joined by Rizpah Bellard — social entrepreneur, cowgirl, and president of Nova Farming. She grew up ranching, studied at Cornell, and now she’s reconnecting kids to where food really comes from—sometimes with a friend from the farm in tow. For episode 2, I’m joined by Rizpah Bellard — social entrepreneur, cowgirl, and president of Nova Farming. She grew up ranching, studied at Cornell, and now she’s reconnecting kids to where food really comes from—sometimes with a friend from the farm in tow.

]]> 1189 no 1. Annette Kassis I’m joined by Annette Kassis, Director of Consumer and Brand Marketing at the California Beef Council. She’s here to give us the big picture on how beef connects from pasture to plate. Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:06:00 -0000 full Hearst StoryStudio I’m joined by Annette Kassis, Director of Consumer and Brand Marketing at the California Beef Council. She’s here to give us the big picture on how beef connects from pasture to plate. I’m joined by Annette Kassis, Director of Consumer and Brand Marketing at the California Beef Council. She’s here to give us the big picture on how beef connects from pasture to plate.

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