Pioneering a New Food Model Around Grass-Fed Cows - Hickory Nut Gap Farms (Live Farm Tour Episode) | #95

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.

Key Topics 

1. How Hickory Nut Gap transitioned from an old dairy to a regenerative livestock operation
2. Rotational grazing, biodiversity, and carbon-building in mountain pastures
3. The economics of grass-fed beef versus grain-fed systems
4. How the farm navigated the 2023 Cane Creek flood and community recovery
5. Whole-animal butchery, pet food production, and reconnecting consumers with real food

Why Listen To This Episode

• A real-time look at how a regenerative livestock farm actually operates
• Clear explanation of rotational grazing, pasture rest, and soil-building
• Practical insight into animal welfare, handling, and daily farm management
• Firsthand account of flood recovery and community resilience
• Straightforward breakdown of grass-fed vs grain-fed economics and taste
• Cuts through marketing claims by showing the real work behind regenerative agriculture

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Timestamps

00:00:00 — History of Hickory Nut Gap and returning to the family farm

00:02:00 — Discovering direct-market pasture farming in the early 2000s

00:04:00 — Grass-fed movement and building a farmer-supported food system

00:06:00 — Taste, nutrition, and why fresh, local food matters

00:10:00 — Flood impacts and land recovery after the Cane Creek disaster

00:12:00 — Rotational grazing explained: density, rest, carbon, biodiversity

00:15:00 — Grass-fed vs grain-fed: economics, animal health, taste

00:17:00 — Talking with vegans and the ethics of reducing harm in ecosystems

00:19:00 — Regrowth after grazing and how mountain pastures respond

00:23:00 — Daily welfare checks: water, feed, injuries, antibiotics policy

00:26:00 — Whole-animal use, pet food demand, and underrated cuts

What is The Regenaissance Podcast?

Hosted by @Regenaisanceman with the mission of reconnecting us back to where our food is grown & exposing everything that is wrong with our broken food system. We are more disconnected from our food than we ever have been. I sit down with ranchers and farmers to give them a voice and hear their stories, helping paint a picture of what it really looks like to support humanity with food. I also will be talking to others involved in the agriculture space as there is a lot that goes into it all. My hope is that from hearing this podcast you will begin to question what you eat and where from.