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We’re living in uncertain times, and farmers and ranchers feel it more than most. Markets are volatile, costs are rising, and the old playbook doesn’t seem to work the way it once did.

In this episode of the Profitable Steward Podcast, Jared Sorensen is joined by farmer, educator, and student of history William DeMille for a thoughtful conversation about where we are in the cycle of history and what that means for agriculture today.

Rather than focusing on fear or hype, this discussion centers on hope, agency, and practical action. Drawing on historical patterns, regenerative principles, and real-world experience, Jared and William explore why local food systems, direct-to-consumer relationships, and community-centered farming matter more than ever.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

The “Fourth Turning” and why crisis periods create opportunity
Why traditional systems are failing farmers and ranchers
How relationships, not volume, drive long-term success
The growing demand for regenerative and locally produced food
Why direct-to-consumer marketing is a viable path for real profitability
How mindset, faith, and stewardship shape resilient businesses
This episode is an encouragement to stop waiting for stability to return and start building something meaningful, profitable, and sustainable right where you are.

If you’re looking for clarity, courage, and practical direction in a changing world, this conversation will meet you there.

Check out our friend Amy Hay and her company that helps direct marketers sell beef (or any product) directly at a profit.
http://Www.sellbeefdirect.com/empowering-farmers

Send a text

We’re living in uncertain times, and farmers and ranchers feel it more than most. Markets are volatile, costs are rising, and the old playbook doesn’t seem to work the way it once did.

In this episode of the Profitable Steward Podcast, Jared Sorensen is joined by farmer, educator, and student of history William DeMille for a thoughtful conversation about where we are in the cycle of history and what that means for agriculture today.

Rather than focusing on fear or hype, this discussion centers on hope, agency, and practical action. Drawing on historical patterns, regenerative principles, and real-world experience, Jared and William explore why local food systems, direct-to-consumer relationships, and community-centered farming matter more than ever.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The “Fourth Turning” and why crisis periods create opportunity
• Why traditional systems are failing farmers and ranchers
• How relationships, not volume, drive long-term success
• The growing demand for regenerative and locally produced food
• Why direct-to-consumer marketing is a viable path for real profitability
• How mindset, faith, and stewardship shape resilient businesses

This episode is an encouragement to stop waiting for stability to return and start building something meaningful, profitable, and sustainable right where you are.

If you’re looking for clarity, courage, and practical direction in a changing world, this conversation will meet you there.

Send us a text

In this episode of the Profitable Steward, Jared Sorensen is joined by fourth-generation farmer Mike Robinson, who shares his real-world experience transitioning conventional grain ground into healthier, more resilient soil systems. 

This conversation covers: 

• How Mike recognized early warning signs in conventional systems
• What changed first when soil health improved
• Using cover crops, reduced tillage, and biological inputs
• Practical field testing like Brix, compaction, and infiltration
• Working with NRCS programs to offset transition costs
• Reducing fertilizer and water inputs without sacrificing yield
• Navigating skepticism from neighbors and family
• The economics of regenerative farming in today’s market

This episode is especially valuable for farmers and ranchers who are curious about regenerative agriculture but hesitant to risk profitability. It offers encouragement, practical insights, and a clear reminder that meaningful change starts with small, tested steps.
 
Keywords: regenerative agriculture, soil health, cover crops, reduced tillage, Brix testing, NRCS programs, water infiltration, profitable farming, regenerative farming transition, Ag Steward
 

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Estate planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but avoiding it can be costly.

In this episode of the Profitable Steward, Jared Sorensen sits down with estate planning attorney Brandon Dean Rains for a practical, plain-language conversation about how farm and ranch families can protect their land, their family relationships, and their legacy.

Together, they cover:

• When and why to form LLCs for farms and ranches
• How asset protection really works in agriculture
• The difference between a will and a trust
• How to think about guardianship for young children
• Succession planning when kids are still young
• Life insurance as a tool for keeping the ranch intact
• Common estate planning mistakes and how to avoid them
• Why communication matters more than documents

This episode is especially valuable for farmers and ranchers entering 2026 who want to stop postponing hard conversations and start building a plan that serves future generations.

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In Part Two of this special 2026 series, Jared Sorensen reads the full public-domain classic As a Man Thinketh by James Allen, a short book packed with timeless principles on thought, character, purpose, and personal stewardship.

This episode is for farmers, ranchers, and legacy-minded leaders who want to strengthen what’s happening beneath the surface, because your thoughts shape your emotions, your decisions, and your results. James Allen’s message is simple and powerful: you become what you consistently think about, and the inner world of the mind eventually forms the outer world of circumstances.

If you want more clarity, discipline, and steadiness in 2026, this reading will help you reset your foundation and rebuild from the root.

Best experienced after Part One.

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 In this powerful kickoff episode for 2026, Jared Sorensen, founder of Ag Steward, shares a deeply personal and practical message inspired by the classic book As a Man Thinketh. Recorded for farmers, ranchers, and legacy builders, this episode explores how unmanaged thoughts quietly shape emotions, decisions, and long-term outcomes. 

Jared breaks down three foundational principles that have influenced how he leads, stewards land, builds businesses, and raises his family. You’ll learn practical tools to recognize negative thought patterns, replace them with truth, and create space for clarity, focus, and inspired action. 

Inside this episode, you’ll discover: 

• Why most people stay stuck even when they work hard
• How thoughts drive emotions, actions, and results
• Practical tools to capture and redirect negative thinking
• Why focus, not willpower, creates lasting change
• How stewardship begins below the surface, at the root level

This episode also introduces The Steward Builder, a practical and affordable membership designed to help farmers and ranchers stop drifting and start building with intention, clarity, and peace.
 
If you’re entering 2026 with uncertainty, pressure, or big decisions ahead, this episode will help you reset your foundation and move forward with confidence.
 

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 This episode explores: 

• Why quiet goodness often leaves the deepest impact
• The spiritual discipline of giving without being seen
• The humility required to receive help and grace
• How Christ’s gift sets the pattern for a transformed life

Whether you’re listening during the Christmas season or any time of year, this message is a reminder that true love does not announce itself. It simply shows up.
 
🎁 Bonus: Jared is also giving away a free digital copy of his book Searching for Home, Finding Grace. 

Link: https://www.agsteward.cc/searching-for-home-finding-grace-ebook
 
Merry Christmas, and may you be blessed as you strive to do good and leave no tracks.
 

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Discover how to design profitable, resilient agricultural landscapes using the principles of restoration agriculture. In this episode, Jared Sorensen hosts renowned agroforestry expert Mark Shepard for a deep, practical conversation about transforming degraded land, capturing water, integrating livestock, and building perennial ecosystems that thrive under stress. 

Whether you're a rancher in the high desert, a farmer in the Midwest, or a land steward anywhere in between, Mark breaks down how to: 

• Shape land to harvest and store water naturally
• Use perennial systems to build soil and long-term resilience
• Integrate crops, trees, and livestock into one profitable system
• Reduce inputs while increasing total ecosystem yield
• Apply restoration agriculture at backyard scale or large-acreage scale

Mark also shares insights from real projects across the U.S., and explains how restoration agriculture supports long-term profit, stewardship, and ecosystem regeneration.
 

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In this episode of the Profitable Steward Podcast, Jared sits down with AJ Richards, founder of FromTheFarm.org, to talk about the future of ranching, food security, and building a resilient, profitable direct-to-consumer model.

AJ shares his journey from ranching roots to creating a nationwide platform connecting consumers directly with farmers and ranchers—cutting out middlemen and helping producers keep more of the retail dollar.

They also dive into:
 • The current state of the livestock industry
 • The fragility of our modern food system
 • Why herd numbers are at record lows
 • AJ’s recent meetings in Washington D.C. advocating for producers
 • The importance of public land grazing
• How consumers and ranchers can work together to change the system

If you’re a rancher looking for a better market, a consumer who wants real food from real people, or someone who cares about the future of American agriculture—this conversation is for you.

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In this episode of the Profitable Steward Podcast, Jared Sorensen sits down with rancher and marketing coach Amy Hay (Sell Beef Direct) to unpack a proven, step-by-step system for selling meat direct to consumer—without guesswork. You’ll learn how to build a simple sales platform, attract the right customers, and turn stewardship into sustainable profit.

What you’ll learn:

• The 5-piece platform that converts: social → website → landing page → email → store
• How to identify and target real buyers (not freebie seekers)
• Why landing pages beat websites for conversions (and what to put on them)
• Email that sells: subject lines, cadence, and tracking what works
• Pre-selling quarters/halves, deposits that reduce no-shows, and simple bundles
• Shipping vs. local drop points, and using subscriptions for steady cash flow

Guest:
Amy Hay — Rancher & Founder, Sell Beef Direct
https://www.sellbeefdirect.com/

Helpful for:
Cow-calf, stocker, mixed livestock, small to mid-scale producers, and anyone ready to launch or scale DTC meat sales.
Sign up to get personalized help to sell any farm-raised product.
https://www.sellbeefdirect.com/agsteward

Don’t miss the Profitable Regeneration Summit (FREE): https://legacy.agsteward.co/register-october

Two days of practical, profit-first strategies for regenerative farms and ranches—featuring Dr. David Kohl and