What makes a great ranch employee, and how do you actually find and hire them?

Cracking the Code to the Ideal Ranch Employee

Finding and hiring the right people can be one of the most frustrating, and most rewarding, parts of ranch management.

In this episode of the Ranch Workforce Project, host Haylie Shipp of the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and co-host Rachel Frost of the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University are joined by Dr. Trey Patterson, CEO of Padlock Ranch.

Together they discuss what it takes to recruit, interview, and hire great employees in today’s ranch workforce.

Dr. Patterson shares how Padlock Ranch approaches hiring, from writing clear job descriptions to conducting structured interviews that reveal more than what appears on a resume. Frost adds perspective from working with students preparing to enter the industry and explains why attitude, humility, and a willingness to learn often matter as much as technical skills.

The conversation also tackles an important question for ranch managers today. Are we creating the kinds of jobs people actually want, or are we simply frustrated that fewer people want the jobs we have always offered?

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Why ranch labor challenges are not only about the work, but also about changing workforce expectations
• The importance of attitude, humility, and motivation when evaluating candidates
• How structured interviews can help reveal character and problem solving ability
• Why honesty about remote locations and job realities helps prevent hiring mismatches
• How intentional recruiting can help ranches build a stronger applicant pool

Resources and Links

Dan Scott Ranch Management Program
https://animalrange.montana.edu/danscott/

Padlock Ranch
https://padlockranch.com/

Dr. Trey Patterson on the Ranching Returns Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/176-dr-trey-patterson-padlock-ranch/id1555361402?i=1000658419243

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 can a drone actually do on a working ranch, and is it worth the cost?

In this episode, Haylie Shipp sits down with rancher Kari Koss, The Nature Conservancy’s Jason Hanlon, and Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Mapping Specialist Maida Knapton to talk about the real world uses of drones in agriculture. From checking water and locating cattle to mapping prairie dog towns and monitoring vegetation, this conversation focuses on practical applications for producers in large, remote landscapes like northern Montana.

The group shares honest experiences about learning curves, price points, wind limitations, regulations, and how drones can shift from being seen as a toy to becoming a valuable management tool. Whether you are looking to save time, reduce miles on equipment, or gain a new perspective on your operation, this episode offers a practical look at how drones are being used on working ranches today.

Topics Covered in This Episode
• Using drones to check water, cattle, and remote pastures
• Drone costs
• Wind, battery life, and real world limitations
• FAA rules, airspace, and line of sight requirements
• Drone use in conservation and mapping
• Autonomous flight paths
• Opportunity cost and time savings on a ranch

Real Ranch Applications Discussed
• Checking water sources in hard to access areas
• Locating cattle before a gather
• Counting hay bales from above
• Monitoring infrastructure and flood irrigation
• Year to year photo monitoring of rangeland
• Mapping prairie dog towns and vegetation health

Key Considerations for Producers
• Most consumer drones have built in safety features and are easier to fly than many expect
• Wind and battery are often the biggest limiting factors on the Northern Plains
• Entry level drones can cost a few hundred dollars while advanced mapping drones can cost several thousand
• Current FAA regulations require pilots to keep drones within visual line of sight and under 400 feet
• Airspace restrictions may apply near airports, military activity, or certain federal lands

Resources Mentioned
• FAA Before You Fly app for checking airspace restrictions: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/b4ufly
• Blue UAS Cleared List and transition information: https://www.diu.mil/latest/dius-blue-uas-list-to-transition-to-dcma
• Ranchers Stewardship Alliance YouTube channel webinar on drone seeding with Steve Kenyon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3w7pqhGqCI

This episode is especially helpful for producers, land managers, and conservation partners who are exploring practical technology that can save time, reduce labor, and provide better insight into large grazing ope

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.

Labor continues to be one of the biggest pressure points in agriculture. But when you are not hiring a full-time, long-term employee, the real question becomes: What kind of help do you actually need?

In this episode of the Ranch Workforce Project, host Haylie Shipp and co-host Rachel Frost sit down with Taylre Sitz Zempel of Sitz Angus Ranch and Dan Leahy of the Foundation for Ranch Management to break down the practical differences between seasonal labor, internships, and apprenticeships.

This conversation goes beyond definitions. It dives into expectations, responsibility, logistics, mindset, and the long-term impact these roles can have on the ranch workforce pipeline.

What We Cover

Seasonal Labor
A largely transactional relationship. A defined timeframe, clear expectations, and productivity that directly impacts profitability. Often requires minimal training and the ability to step in and contribute quickly.

Internships
A shorter-term learning opportunity. Ranches may invest more time in training and mentorship while students gain exposure, experience, and foundational skills. Internships can play a significant role in shaping the next generation entering agriculture.

Apprenticeships
A longer-term, structured commitment with higher expectations on both sides. Focused not only on completing tasks but on developing thought processes, decision-making ability, and mastery. Apprenticeships often serve as a bridge into long-term careers and leadership roles.

Key Themes from the Conversation

• Words matter. Titles like intern and apprentice carry real expectations.
• Ranchers must be honest about how much time and training they can realistically provide.
• Soft skills such as communication, humility, reflection, and attitude are just as important as technical skills.
• Logistics matter. Housing, transportation, and basic living arrangements can make or break a placement.
• The workforce pipeline in agriculture is not empty. There are young people eager to enter the industry, but clarity and alignment are critical.
• Internships and apprenticeships do more than fill labor gaps. They help build the future of agriculture beyond a single ranch gate.

You will also hear powerful stories of growth, failure, perseverance, and the long-term impact of mentorship.

Learn More

Dan Scott Ranch Management Program
https://animalrange.montana.edu/danscott/

Sitz Angus Ranch
https://www.sitzangus.com/

If you are considering bringing on seasonal labor, an intern, or an apprentice, this episode offers practical guidance and encouragement to help you decide which structure best fits your operation and your long-term goals.

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.