DiscoverRuminationsHeifer International, Heifer USA, & Holistic Management
Heifer International, Heifer USA, & Holistic Management

Heifer International, Heifer USA, & Holistic Management

Update: 2025-07-30
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#13 – Donna Kilpatrick is the Director of Regeneration at Heifer Ranch, the 1,200-acre U.S. agricultural training center of Heifer International based in Perryville, Arkansas where she directs regenerative land management, supports farmer-led supply chains, and pilots on-farm innovation to improve ecosystem outcomes. In addition to overseeing livestock operations at Heifer Ranch, Donna has helped establish the ranch as a Savory Hub and now collaborates with Heifer’s international programs to deliver monitoring and training support in diverse contexts, from Central America to East Africa.


 


In this episode, we explore:


– how Heifer USA fits into the broader mission of Heifer International


– Donna’s early days at Warren Wilson College and the tractor moment that changed her life


– training farmers from Arkansas to Honduras in Holistic Management


– what she learned attending two advanced-level Savory courses


– how she manages an all-female ranch team and what that’s meant for culture and impact


– R&D efforts happening at Heifer Ranch


– how beavers, bobwhite quail, and gamagrass signal ecological recovery


– and what Donna’s “lifequake” taught her about patterns, healing, and personal regeneration


 


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ALL EPISODES:

👉 https://savory.global/podcast


JOIN THE COMMUNITY + GET MEMBERS-ONLY PERKS:

👉 https://savory.global/member


GET INVOLVED WITH SAVORY INSTITUTE:

👉 https://savory.global/find-your-path


 


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00:00 Intro


01:54 Welcome Donna


04:34 Heifer International's Mission and Work


08:04 Grassroots Farmer's Co-op


16:34 Donna's Journey in Agriculture


28:16 Advanced Holistic Management Courses


39:40 Heifer Ranch Operations and Innovations


45:40 Innovative Technology


46:01 Cost and Labor Efficiency


47:41 Exploring Virtual Fencing


49:45 Staff Training and Management


53:43 Female Leadership in Agriculture


01:01:47 International Regenerative Agriculture Efforts


01:18:25 Personal Growth and Future Plans


01:25:04 Closing thoughts


 


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MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:


– https://grassrootscoop.com/


– https://www.heifer.org/


– https://heiferusa.org/


– https://savory.global/eov/


– https://savory.global/calendar-event/holistic-management-comprehensive/


– https://savory.global/calendar-event/hands-on-holistic-management-course-at-the-hickory-nut-gap-hub/


– https://nrhythm.co/


– https://www.hickorynutgap.com/


– https://pasturebird.com/


– https://www.gallagher.com.au/


– https://www.ukkorobotics.com/


– https://www.hoffmaninstitute.org/the-process/


– https://zachbushmd.com/


– https://www.acresusa.com/


– https://hoards.com/


– https://www.chelseagreen.com/writer/allan-nation/


 


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This episode is brought to you by Savory’s Regenerating Members, a global community restoring over 100 million acres through Holistic Management. For less than $1 per day, you can help regenerate 400+ acres every year:

👉 https://savory.global/member


 


Want to sponsor an episode? 👉 https://savory.global/podcast


 


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HAVE A GUEST SUGGESTION?

We’d love to hear your thoughts:

👉 https://www.tfaforms.com/5169997


 


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Music written & performed by https://www.youtube.com/@travismcnamara9313

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Heifer International, Heifer USA, & Holistic Management

Heifer International, Heifer USA, & Holistic Management

Savory Institute