Thomas, the nicely coiffed young man behind the meat counter smiled amicably as he asked, "What can I help you with?" His near-spotless white apron portrayed clean, as did the well organized and shiny surfaces of the newly minted meat department behind him. I could trust him, I found myself …
On Earning Trust
"It's locked," said Tim as he shook the big padlock that joined the scrap of rugged log chain around the gatepost. A confusing, yet high functioning conglomeration of barbed and woven wire vaunted up the steep and rocky hill from the steel gate. On the downhill side, the same tangle of rusty wires …
On being a Chef – for Cows
Aboard my buckskin mare, I broke the crest of the high ridge and surveyed the scene below from the promontory. The herd of 250 head were scattered like pepper across the broad plateau below, under the capable hands of Melanie and Linnaea. I jumped off, tied my mare's mecate and lead rope end to a …
When Economy of Scale becomes Loss
July heat levitated in visible waves from the black pavement and buffeted us through our wide open pickup windows. Caryl and I were in the outback now, up in the broad headwaters of the Lemhi, clipping along at 60 MPH, skimming across the wide open sagebrush ocean of high desert Idaho. Caspar's 6 …
Intern at Alderspring Ranch
We are looking for a few people with grit, character, and a passion for learning to intern at Alderspring Ranch, a certified organic producer of 100% grass fed Angus beef in the Rocky Mountains of Central Idaho. Internships are supported by the Central Idaho Rangelands Network. Applications will …
On Trusting the Horse…and Them Us
As I came across the deep swale and dry wash that we call Lawson Creek in the moonlight, I let the lines go lightly slack on the two tons of draft horse in front of me. I shouldn't have. My timing was off, and it was my second mistake of the night. It was at that point that things began to unravel …