Hiring the right person is only the beginning. The way a new employee is introduced to a ranch operation can shape their success, confidence, and long-term future in agriculture.

In this episode, Haylie Shipp and Rachel Frost are joined by Aaron Paulson of Switchback Ranch to discuss why intentional onboarding is one of the most important and often overlooked parts of managing people in agriculture.

Drawing from years of experience supervising interns, apprentices, seasonal workers, and full-time employees, Aaron shares practical strategies for setting new hires up for success. From structured first-day orientation and clear expectations to hands-on training and communication, he explains why investing time up front pays dividends throughout the season.

The conversation also explores how strong onboarding can build confidence, reduce frustration, and help employees understand their role within the broader goals of a ranch operation.

In this episode

• Why first impressions matter for new ranch employees
• What effective onboarding actually looks like in practice
• How clear expectations and structure prevent early mistakes
• The "see it, do it, teach it" approach to training
• Helping new employees build confidence and independence
• Creating clear reporting structures and communication pathways
• Supporting employee growth through education and mentorship
• Why seasonal employees can become part of a long-term workforce pipeline
• Using exit conversations to improve future hiring and management

Strong onboarding is not just about orientation. It is about building capable employees, strengthening ranch culture, and investing in the future of agriculture.

Support the show

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.

What makes a great ranch employee, and how do you actually find and hire them?

Cracking the Code to the Ideal Ranch Employee

Finding and hiring the right people can be one of the most frustrating, and most rewarding, parts of ranch management.

In this episode of the Ranch Workforce Project, host Haylie Shipp of the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and co-host Rachel Frost of the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University are joined by Dr. Trey Patterson, CEO of Padlock Ranch.

Together they discuss what it takes to recruit, interview, and hire great employees in today’s ranch workforce.

Dr. Patterson shares how Padlock Ranch approaches hiring, from writing clear job descriptions to conducting structured interviews that reveal more than what appears on a resume. Frost adds perspective from working with students preparing to enter the industry and explains why attitude, humility, and a willingness to learn often matter as much as technical skills.

The conversation also tackles an important question for ranch managers today. Are we creating the kinds of jobs people actually want, or are we simply frustrated that fewer people want the jobs we have always offered?

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Why ranch labor challenges are not only about the work, but also about changing workforce expectations
• The importance of attitude, humility, and motivation when evaluating candidates
• How structured interviews can help reveal character and problem solving ability
• Why honesty about remote locations and job realities helps prevent hiring mismatches
• How intentional recruiting can help ranches build a stronger applicant pool

Resources and Links

Dan Scott Ranch Management Program
https://animalrange.montana.edu/danscott/

Padlock Ranch
https://padlockranch.com/

Dr. Trey Patterson on the Ranching Returns Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/176-dr-trey-patterson-padlock-ranch/id1555361402?i=1000658419243

Support the show

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.

What can a drone actually do on a working ranch, and is it worth the cost?

In this episode, Haylie Shipp sits down with rancher Kari Koss, The Nature Conservancy’s Jason Hanlon, and Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Mapping Specialist Maida Knapton to talk about the real world uses of drones in agriculture. From checking water and locating cattle to mapping prairie dog towns and monitoring vegetation, this conversation focuses on practical applications for producers in large, remote landscapes like northern Montana.

The group shares honest experiences about learning curves, price points, wind limitations, regulations, and how drones can shift from being seen as a toy to becoming a valuable management tool. Whether you are looking to save time, reduce miles on equipment, or gain a new perspective on your operation, this episode offers a practical look at how drones are being used on working ranches today.

Topics Covered in This Episode
• Using drones to check water, cattle, and remote pastures
• Drone costs
• Wind, battery life, and real world limitations
• FAA rules, airspace, and line of sight requirements
• Drone use in conservation and mapping
• Autonomous flight paths
• Opportunity cost and time savings on a ranch

Real Ranch Applications Discussed
• Checking water sources in hard to access areas
• Locating cattle before a gather
• Counting hay bales from above
• Monitoring infrastructure and flood irrigation
• Year to year photo monitoring of rangeland
• Mapping prairie dog towns and vegetation health

Key Considerations for Producers
• Most consumer drones have built in safety features and are easier to fly than many expect
• Wind and battery are often the biggest limiting factors on the Northern Plains
• Entry level drones can cost a few hundred dollars while advanced mapping drones can cost several thousand
• Current FAA regulations require pilots to keep drones within visual line of sight and under 400 feet
• Airspace restrictions may apply near airports, military activity, or certain federal lands

Resources Mentioned
• FAA Before You Fly app for checking airspace restrictions: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/b4ufly
• Blue UAS Cleared List and transition information: https://www.diu.mil/latest/dius-blue-uas-list-to-transition-to-dcma
• Ranchers Stewardship Alliance YouTube channel webinar on drone seeding with Steve Kenyon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3w7pqhGqCI

This episode is especially helpful for producers, land managers, and conservation partners who are exploring practical technology that can save time, reduce labor, and provide better insight into large grazing ope

Support the show

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.