Episode 35- We're Ranchers First, Women Second: The Redwing Ranch Story

What happens when a wildlife ecologist decides to stop leasing out her ranch and start managing it herself, and the team she builds happens to be made up entirely of women? In this episode, I sit down with Christie Wyckoff, owner of Red Wing Ranch in Colorado, Fiona Lopez, ranch manager, and Erin Sheridan, programs manager, to talk about their journey into regenerative ranching, building a profitable operation, and creating opportunities for women in agriculture. What makes their story particularly interesting is that they never set out to build an all-women ranch. They simply hired the best people for the job. And while they're proud to be women in agriculture, as Christie puts it, they're ranchers first. We explore how Holistic Management and Ranching for Profit have influenced their approach to managing land, livestock, people, and finances. From making difficult decisions during drought to understanding the profitability of individual enterprises, the Red Wing team shares what it takes to build a resilient ranching business while working with nature rather than against it. But there's another side to their work. Through hands-on workshops in grazing management, stockmanship, and chainsaw skills, they're creating opportunities for women to develop practical skills, build confidence, and connect with others who understand the challenges of working in agriculture. What surprised them most wasn't just what the women learned, but the vulnerability, friendships, and sense of community that emerged. We also talk about the importance of knowing your numbers, empowering your team to make informed decisions, and creating a culture where mistakes become opportunities to learn rather than reasons to question your abilities. Because regenerative ranching isn't just about improving the land. It's about building an operation where the livestock, the business, and the people managing it can all thrive. Learn more about Red Wing Ranch and their educational programs: https://www.redwingranch.us/ Connect with Christine Martin: Website: https://thrivinglandsteward.com Email: info@thrivinglandsteward.com Substack: https://thrivinglandsteward.substack.com