Meat Up with California Ranchers

Today we’re diving into more than 145 years of ranching tradition with Mike Byrne and Matt Byrne, ranchers with the Robert A. Byrne Company. The Byrne family has stewarded land across California and Oregon for six generations, leading the way in regenerative ranching, rotational grazing, and wildlife-focused conservation. From the Modoc National Forest to private rangelands, Mike and Matt are proving that healthy cattle and healthy ecosystems can thrive together. This is Meat Up with California Ranchers.

Today we’re talking legacy, grit, and the power of family with Betsy Behlen and her daughter Brooke Helsel of the Dot Seven Ranch. The Behlen family’s ranching roots stretch back nearly a century, and today, Betsy and Brooke carry that heritage forward—balancing tradition with innovation through their direct-to-consumer beef business, Dot Seven Ranch Beef. Together, they share how hard work, faith, and family have shaped generations of ranchers—and what it means to keep that spirit alive for the next.

Today we’re talking dairy innovation, sustainability, and family tradition with Jack Hoekstra, third-generation dairyman and farmer at Hoekstra Dairy in Oakdale, California. From pioneering new cattle breeds to launching the Oakdale Calf Ranch and serving on boards like the California Beef Council and California Cattle Council, Jack’s helped shape the future of both dairy and beef in the Golden State. He’s seen the industry evolve firsthand — and he’s making sure the next generation is ready for what’s ahead.

Today we’re heading to the hills of San Diego County to meet Alli and Bryce Fender, co-owners and operators of Flying F Ranch. From starting their herd with just ten heifers to building a thriving direct-to-consumer beef business, this husband-and-wife team is redefining modern ranching — all with a bold motto that says it best: “We Give a Flying F About Beef.”

Today we’re talking all things dairy with Nicole Morris — a fourth-generation dairy farmer and Dairy Science professor at Modesto Junior College. Nicole and her family run their own dairy, raising cows while also raising two kids — and somehow, she still finds time to mentor the next generation of ag leaders and advocate for farmers online as The Milk Diva.   From life on the farm to life in the classroom, Nicole’s passion for cows, community, and California agriculture truly shines

We're joined by Steven Maxey, General Manager of The Meat Up, and his dad, Jimmy Maxey, founder of Fresno Meat and Beef Packers. The Maxey family has been shaping California’s beef industry for three generations — from ranching roots to innovative butcher shops and food partnerships that keep things fresh, local, and community-driven.

For episode 2, I’m joined by Rizpah Bellard — social entrepreneur, cowgirl, and president of Nova Farming. She grew up ranching, studied at Cornell, and now she’s reconnecting kids to where food really comes from—sometimes with a friend from the farm in tow.

I’m joined by Annette Kassis, Director of Consumer and Brand Marketing at the California Beef Council. She’s here to give us the big picture on how beef connects from pasture to plate.