In this episode of Return to Nature, Melissa interviews Cole Mannix, the president and co-founder of Old Salt Co-op. As fifth generation of the Mannix family, his love for people, ranching, and land stewardship is deep rooted in Montana. Though his schooling and professional life have taken him many places beyond the ranch, his heart remains devoted to the cause of bringing people together around a love for life and all of its beautiful diversity. He founded the Old Salt Festival, a food & music celebration of Montana land stewardship hosted on the Mannix Family Ranch in Helmville, MT, bringing together wood-fired cooking, Americana musicians, Montana ranchers, and Western makers to celebrate in high Montana style.Cole Shares:The deep history the Mannix Family shares with their Ranch in Helmville, MontanaHow his time away from the ranch got him interested in the distribution side of the operationHow the Salt of the Earth Rancher’s Cooperative was started and why it evolvedThe problem with food labels The issues with policy change when it comes to agricultureHow the Old Salt Co-op came to be The necessity of making an entirely new system versus just trying to change production of meatThe importance of broadening our idea of success and wealth Why and how producers should have ownership in distribution avenuesThe fallacy of failure when it comes to regenerative ranching and truly healing the soilHaving an organic mindset even when you have to rely on conventional methods How familiarity with the process can build trust for a productHow labels and certifications can be true but not meaningfulYou can connect with Cole through Old Salt:Website: www.oldsaltco-op.comInstagram: @oldsaltcoopInstagram: @oldsaltfestivalIntro/Outro music by Ken Belcher

Ver todos los episodios