Pioneering a New Food Model Around Grass-Fed Cows - Hickory Nut Gap Farms (Live Farm Tour Episode) | #95

Hickory Nut Gap is a century-old family farm in Western North Carolina, now run by Jamie and Amy, who shifted the operation toward grass-fed beef, pastured poultry, and regenerative grazing. Their model connects soil health, animal welfare, and community resilience - from rotational grazing that builds biodiversity to supplying local restaurants and retailers. This tour looks directly at how they raise animals, manage land, and keep farming viable in the Appalachian mountains.

Key Topics 

How Hickory Nut Gap transitioned from an old dairy to a regenerative livestock operationRotational grazing, biodiversity, and carbon-building in mountain pasturesThe economics of grass-fed beef versus grain-fed systemsHow the farm navigated the 2023 Cane Creek flood and community recoveryWhole-animal butchery, pet food production, and reconnecting consumers with real food

Why Listen To This Episode

A real-time look at how a regenerative livestock farm actually operatesClear explanation of rotational grazing, pasture rest, and soil-buildingPractical insight into animal welfare, handling, and daily farm managementFirsthand account of flood recovery and community resilienceStraightforward breakdown of grass-fed vs grain-fed economics and tasteCuts through marketing claims by showing the real work behind regenerative agriculture

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Timestamps

00:00:00 — History of Hickory Nut Gap and returning to the family farm

00:02:00 — Discovering direct-market pasture farming in the early 2000s

00:04:00 — Grass-fed movement and building a farmer-supported food system

00:06:00 — Taste, nutrition, and why fresh, local food matters

00:10:00 — Flood impacts and land recovery after the Cane Creek disaster

00:12:00 — Rotational grazing explained: density, rest, carbon, biodiversity

00:15:00 — Grass-fed vs grain-fed: economics, animal health, taste

00:17:00 — Talking with vegans and the ethics of reducing harm in ecosystems

00:19:00 — Regrowth after grazing and how mountain pastures respond

00:23:00 — Daily welfare checks: water, feed, injuries, antibiotics policy

00:26:00 — Whole-animal use, pet food demand, and underrated cuts