#113 - Sustaining Farmland with Sarah Fulton-Smith and Jacob Gilley
Release Date: 08/23/2024
Crockett Carothers of the Wealthy Cowboy Podcast
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil sits down with Crockett Carothers of the Wealthy Cowboy Podcast after they gather cattle, discussing what’s changed since his prior appearance two years earlier: a new baby on the way, the launch and growth of his podcast to about 111 episodes, new sponsors, meetups, and expanded opportunities. Crockett says the best part is meeting high-value people, growing his knowledge and network, and connecting others. He explains how he books guests through outreach, networking, and social media, and why documenting stories matters, including for older guests. They cover building active income...
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Josh Beavers on Breaking Into Cowboying & Learning the Unspoken Rules
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil and co-host Kyle Johnson welcome Josh Beavers, who explains his family name history (his dad was adopted after his biological father was murdered, leading to the Beavers surname) and discusses growing up near Dallas while spending weekends ranching in Kemp, Texas. Josh describes craving cowboy life, attending Tarleton, and learning by observing and absorbing “unspoken rules” about horsemanship, day work expectations, and maturity. He explains how his businessman father influenced his networking skills, helping him sell horses by relating to non-cowboy buyers. Josh outlines his career...
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Isaac Diaz on Career Longevity, Faith & Finding His Next Chapter
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Isaac Diaz discusses his long career, describing success as simply not quitting and noting he’s missed the NFR more years than he’s made it despite competing for 21 years and often attending 85+ rodeos annually. He shares growing up in South Florida outside a rodeo family, guided by mentor Mike Fletcher, and relying more on work and perseverance than money. Diaz explains shifting priorities toward family and a “next thing,” recently earning a Texas real estate license through Hayden Outdoors while continuing to enjoy rodeo, horses, and a home program. The group talks about confidence,...
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Tucker Hatch: Dogs, Wild Country & Building a Life
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil and co-host Kyle Johnson interview Tucker Hatch, a young cowboy and friend of Kyle’s, about his background, mindset, and experience in big country. Tucker recounts first meeting Kyle in Nevada and discusses overcoming nerves by being proud of who he is and willing to approach strangers. The conversation focuses heavily on working cow dogs—Border Collies and Kelpies—contrasting practical ranch dogs with trial dogs, and explaining how dogs extend a crew’s effectiveness when gathering and trailing cattle. Tucker describes leading a crew at age 22 on the 450,000-acre, unfenced Arapaho...
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Travis Dickinson on Cow Horse Training, Gratitude & Sobriety
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil, with co-host Kyle Johnson, welcome trainer Travis Dickinson, who starts each day in the gym and has 12–15 horses in training, mainly reined cow horses. Travis explains the three events—herd work, reining pattern, and fence work—and he and Kyle recount how they met when Kyle sought help learning reined cow horse after moving to California. Travis describes his background from construction and a strict, successful father to pursuing horse training, defines a “bridle horse” progression, and shares key training lessons about focus, circles, and knowing when to push or quit. The...
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Reed Sykes on Learning Horsemanship, Patience, and the Pressure of Training in Public
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil welcomes Reed Sykes with co-host Kyle Johnson to The Cowboy Perspective for a conversation about horsemanship and animal training, focusing on building confidence rather than stripping it away. Reed shares his background growing up in Midland with a ranch near San Angelo, graduating from Sam Houston State after attending several universities, working in the oil field, then leaving in 2015 to train horses and dogs for the public despite initially feeling unprepared. He avoids labels like “cowboy” or “buckaroo,” emphasizing daily improvement and teaching horses to “try,”...
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Introducing the Kyle Johnson Series
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil debuts a new series of episodes co-hosted with Kyle Johnson, recorded in person around a table to highlight friends and horsemen and to help listeners connect with guests. They discuss filming Tucker Hatch putting the first ride on a colt named Wild Thang and share how to contact Tucker (Facebook/Instagram/TikTok under Tucker Hatch) and Travis Dickinson/TC Performance Horses in Red Bluff (Facebook; TikTok under Travis Dickinson), who specializes in cow horses, lessons, clinics, and plans to post more videos. They mention other guests—Isaac Diaz, Josh Beavers, and Reed Sykes/Devout...
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Darin Deaton: Businessman, Physical Therapist, Christian, Cowboy
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil interviews Darin Deaton, a physical therapist, entrepreneur, and rancher. Darin shares his shift from pre-med toward PT after observing an independent practice owner’s lifestyle, his education at Texas Woman’s University, and juggling full-time work with graduate school. He describes learning business through an early partnership, then launching his own clinic using SBA financing and a $60,000 investor check that enabled a 1998 seven-figure exit. Darin later built and sold a seven-location Fort Worth PT group (sold in 2024) and runs DPT Therapy. They discuss Deaton Ranch Beef,...
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Kevin Mock: Father, Businessman, Christian
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil reunites with entrepreneur Kevin Mock to discuss his career changes, return to podcasting in 2026, and life experiences influenced by the 'Cowboy Perspective'. Kevin dives into his multifaceted roles as a businessman and father, sharing insights from his various endeavors in the livestock industry, including Mock Livestock and Livestock Marketing Group. The conversation touches on the intersections of faith, success, and the challenges of balancing personal ambitions with Christian values. Kevin recounts his passion for high-end show animals, balancing family life, and the importance of...
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Jason Davis: Businessman, Mentor, Rancher and Dad
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil welcomes Jason Davis to discuss the 'Cowboy Perspective' and various life insights. They explore the importance of experience and learning from mistakes, foundational lessons from grandparents, and the value of real-world application over theoretical knowledge. Jason shares his personal journey from corporate life to ranching, emphasizing the significance of true wealth and life experiences. They also touch on the impact of significant personal events like the loss of a spouse, raising children, and teaching valuable life lessons. The conversation dives into concepts such as the...
info_outlineIn this live-recorded episode from the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, Neil Dudley hosts Sarah Fulton-Smith, Texas Director for American Farmland Trust, and Jacob Gilley, a Senior Technical Livestock and Grazing Specialist. Together, they delve into the pressing issue of protecting American farmland, the challenges and solutions in sustainable and regenerative grazing, and the critical role of engaging the next generation in agriculture. The conversation also touches upon the impact of urban sprawl, financial assistance for farmers, and the importance of grassroots connections in the community. Both Sarah and Jacob share personal stories and perspectives shaped by their deep ties to the land and commitment to agricultural sustainability.
Links
Visit us online at www.thecowboyperspective.com
American Farmland Trust https://farmland.org/
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:40 Meet Sarah Fulton-Smith
02:15 Meet Jacob and His Farming Journey
04:30 Challenges and Opportunities in Farmland Protection
08:12 American Farmland Trust Initiatives
11:40 Regenerative Grazing Explained
17:24 Sustaining Agriculture and Legacy
22:20 Farmers' Deep Connection to the Land
23:54 Challenges of Implementing Agricultural Policies
25:34 Training Horses and Grass Farming
26:07 Cowboy Perspective on Life and Hard Work
27:15 First Generation Producer's Journey
30:02 Serving Others and Raising Kids with Grit
32:26 Veteran Perspective in Agriculture
37:42 Understanding Land Trusts and Easements
40:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts