Inside a 1,200-Acre Regenerative Operation (Live Farm Tour) - Rucker Farm | #103

In this episode, we tour through Rucker Farm with Garrett Heydt to see how a large, leased regenerative operation actually works; covering hay, turkeys, water systems, minerals, and grazing decisions that shape animal health and land outcomes over time.

Key Topics 

• Rotational grazing on large, leased properties
• Pasture-based turkey production and management
• Water infrastructure, exclusion fencing, and environmental impact
• Hay economics vs standing winter forage
• Regeneration as a long-term land ethic

Why You Should Listen

• Clear explanation of rotational grazing at scale (30+ paddocks, leased land)
• Practical breakdown of hay vs standing forage economics
• Rare detail on pasture-raised turkey management and behavior
• Insight into water systems, mineral strategy, and soil-and-water funding
• A grounded philosophy of regeneration over sustainability

Connect with Rucker Farm

Website
Instagram

Follow the tour on YouTube

Timestamps

 00:00 Hay production and second cutting
 02:00 Pasture-raised turkeys and grazing behavior
 05:00 Predators, electric netting, and night radio strategy
 06:30 Raising turkeys: brooders, socialization, survivability
 07:45 Turkey processing timelines and sizing
 12:00 Mobile brooders and farming on leased land
 16:30 Cattle water systems and exclusion fencing
 23:00 Minerals, salt, and late-pregnancy cow health
 29:30 Hay costs vs grazing saved forage
 37:30 Regeneration vs sustainability and rebuilding soil
 48:00 Leaving the city and choosing farm life

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.