{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Regenaissance Podcast","title":"Pioneering a New Food Model Around Grass-Fed Cows - Hickory Nut Gap Farms (Live Farm Tour) | #95 ","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1712,"description":"Hickory Nut Gap is a century-old family farm in Western North Carolina, now run by Jamie and Amy, who shifted the operation toward grass-fed beef, pastured poultry, and regenerative grazing. Their model connects soil health, animal welfare, and community resilience - from rotational grazing that builds biodiversity to supplying local restaurants and retailers. This tour looks directly at how they raise animals, manage land, and keep farming viable in the Appalachian mountains.\nKey Topics \nHow Hickory Nut Gap transitioned from an old dairy to a regenerative livestock operation\nRotational grazing, biodiversity, and carbon-building in mountain pastures\nThe economics of grass-fed beef versus grain-fed systems\nHow the farm navigated the 2023 Cane Creek flood and community recovery\nWhole-animal butchery, pet food production, and reconnecting consumers with real food\nWhy Listen To This Episode\nA real-time look at how a regenerative livestock farm actually operates\nClear explanation of rotational grazing, pasture rest, and soil-building\nPractical insight into animal welfare, handling, and daily farm management\nFirsthand account of flood recovery and community resilience\nStraightforward breakdown of grass-fed vs grain-fed economics and taste\nCuts through marketing claims by showing the real work behind regenerative agriculture\nWebsite\nInstagram\n\nTimestamps\n00:00:00 — History of Hickory Nut Gap and returning to the family farm\n00:02:00 — Discovering direct-market pasture farming in the early 2000s\n00:04:00 — Grass-fed movement and building a farmer-supported food system\n00:06:00 — Taste, nutrition, and why fresh, local food matters\n00:10:00 — Flood impacts and land recovery after the Cane Creek disaster\n00:12:00 — Rotational grazing explained: density, rest, carbon, biodiversity\n00:15:00 — Grass-fed vs grain-fed: economics, animal health, taste\n00:17:00 — Talking with vegans and the ethics of reducing harm in ecosystems\n00:19:00 — Regrowth after grazing and how mountain...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/al8BwjjnR2m8I-3vEq0Iyx2E0FqQ9QB0aLPF4D6flnY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81YzE3/NmFmYjZiNmRkZDdm/Y2MwYzk5ZjI5ZjRj/YzgwZi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}