326. Reinventing Beef: Justin Pettit on Santa Carota’s Carrot-Finished Cattle
Release Date: 03/25/2025
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What does it look like to transform land, community, and food systems—all at once? This week on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Zeb Horrell, Chief Regenerative Officer at Mangaroa Farms in Whitemans Valley, New Zealand. Zeb is a third-generation farmer turned regenerative land steward, working to reimagine what farming can be through bioregional resilience, collaborative land models, and deep ecological awareness. At Mangaroa Farms—a community food hub and living laboratory—they’re transitioning former dairy and pine operations into regenerative agriculture and native...
info_outlineThe Thriving Farmer Podcast
What role does security play in building a thriving homestead? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Tim Eng, a West Point graduate, Army veteran, and real estate expert who now helps families transition into resilient, self-sufficient homesteads. After years in one of the most competitive real estate markets in the U.S., Tim and his family made the leap to homesteading in Tennessee. With a background in military engineering and a passion for regenerative living, Tim now teaches homesteaders how to build security into their land, homes, and communities—from the ground...
info_outlineThe Thriving Farmer Podcast
How can homesteaders empower the next generation through practical, real-world learning? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Kody Hanner, a homesteader, author, and educator based in North Idaho. As the founder of The Homestead Education, Kody helps families integrate homesteading and self-sufficiency into their homeschooling journey. What began as a personal health journey turned into a life-changing homestead and a mission to equip children with the tools they need to thrive outside the traditional classroom. Tune in to hear how Kody’s family healed, homesteaded, and...
info_outlineThe Thriving Farmer Podcast
How can global trade empower farmers and create a more just food system? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Paul Rice, Founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA. After spending more than a decade working with coffee farmers in Nicaragua, Paul returned to the U.S. to launch the Fair Trade Certified™ label—transforming the way we think about sourcing coffee, cocoa, produce, apparel, and more. Since 1998, Paul has partnered with over 1,400 companies, from Whole Foods to Patagonia, helping channel billions of dollars into the hands of farmers and workers worldwide. In this...
info_outlineThe Thriving Farmer Podcast
What does it take to build a thriving farm business while raising a family and stewarding the land for the next generation? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Kyle Becker, owner of Becker Farms in Moorland, Indiana. Since 2007, Kyle and his wife, Emily, have grown their farm from a small freezer beef operation into a diversified livestock farm offering beef, pork, chicken, turkey, eggs, and local milk. In addition to running the farm, Kyle works as a food animal veterinarian, serving dairy and beef farms across Indiana and Ohio. With a deep focus on soil health,...
info_outlineThe Thriving Farmer Podcast
What does it look like to farm beyond organic on a small scale with big impact? On this episode, Michael is joined by Taylor Bemis, co-owner of Tumbleweed Farm in Oregon’s Hood River Valley. Since 2012, Taylor and his wife, cookbook author Andrea Bemis, have been growing vibrant, pesticide-free produce on just over two acres. Together, they run a 160-member CSA and sell at the Hood River Farmers Market. With a strong focus on educating their community about the nutritional power of fresh, local food, Taylor and Andrea go beyond organic standards—often labeling their vegetables with the...
info_outlineThe Thriving Farmer Podcast
What happens when two first-generation farmers decide to team up instead of compete? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Jody Prosser and Mady Hastings, co-owners of Urban Roots Collective in Simpsonville, South Carolina. These first-generation female farmers each started out with their own small farms and no prior ag experience—but when they met, they quickly realized they could grow more and serve more together. Now operating as a team, they’re cultivating vegetables, flowers, and animals on regenerative principles and selling through a unique farmstand model...
info_outlineThe Thriving Farmer Podcast
How can agritourism deepen community connections and support a diversified farm? In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we’re joined by Maren Beard, co-owner of Luna Valley Farm in Decorah, Iowa. Maren and her husband, Tom, run a certified organic regenerative farm, raising 100% grass-fed cattle and sheep while also serving up delicious wood-fired pizzas to their community. Tune in to hear how Luna Valley is creating connection through food and what it really takes to run a thriving pizza farm! Episode Highlights: Origin Story: How did Maren and Tom get started with Luna Valley...
info_outlineThe Thriving Farmer Podcast
How can urban farming transform communities and increase access to fresh, local food? In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we’re joined by Devon Wilson, founder and farmer of Sunlight Gardens, a two-acre organic urban farm in Battle Creek, Michigan. Devon started Sunlight Gardens to increase access to fresh, local food and inspire the next generation of farmers through their fresh corner store, community events, and Farm Squad youth program. Devon’s passion for food justice stems from personal experience—witnessing multiple family members struggle with diet-related illnesses....
info_outlineThe Thriving Farmer Podcast
How does carrot-finished beef set a new standard for flavor and sustainability? In this episode, we’re joined by Justin Pettit, third-generation rancher and co-founder of Santa Carota Beef—the only grass-fed, carrot-finished beef on the market. By finishing cattle on a 95% carrot-based diet, Justin has crafted a nutrient-rich, flavorful beef that’s earned praise from top chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Gordon Ramsay. Tune in to hear how Justin is redefining high-quality beef with a focus on sustainability, nutrition, and exceptional taste! Episode Highlights: Ranching Roots: How did...
info_outlineHow does carrot-finished beef set a new standard for flavor and sustainability?
In this episode, we’re joined by Justin Pettit, third-generation rancher and co-founder of Santa Carota Beef—the only grass-fed, carrot-finished beef on the market. By finishing cattle on a 95% carrot-based diet, Justin has crafted a nutrient-rich, flavorful beef that’s earned praise from top chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Gordon Ramsay.
Tune in to hear how Justin is redefining high-quality beef with a focus on sustainability, nutrition, and exceptional taste!
Episode Highlights:
- Ranching Roots: How did Santa Carota Beef get started? [1:45]
- Nutrient Profile: What makes carrot-finished beef different? [7:33]
- Life Cycle: What is the journey of Santa Carota’s cattle? [9:56]
- Availability: How can customers get their hands on this unique beef? [15:05]
- Future Plans: What’s next for Santa Carota Beef? [18:14]
- Team and Operations: How big is the Santa Carota team? [23:15]
- Farm Life: What’s Justin’s favorite part of ranching? [29:02]
Don't miss this episode on how a family ranching tradition evolved into a game-changing approach to beef production!
About the Guest:
Justin Pettit is a third-generation cattle rancher and the visionary co-founder of Santa Carota Beef. Raised in a ranching family, Justin has always been passionate about sustainable livestock management and producing the highest-quality beef possible. His innovative carrot-finished beef has earned national recognition in The New York Times and Food & Wine, setting a new standard for flavor, nutrition, and environmental responsibility.
Justin lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife and three children, balancing family life with his mission to bring healthier, more sustainable beef to consumers across the country.
📲 Connect with Santa Carota Beef:
🌎 Website: Santa Carota
📷 Instagram: Follow @santacarotabeef
👍 Facebook: Like Santa Carota Beef
The Thriving Farmer Podcast would like to thank our sponsor, GRIPP.
Got lots of people, places and things to track? Gripp is the easiest way for farmers to track anything important to their operation. With flexible QR code tracking, keeping digital records is a snap with Ag’s easiest operator-first mobile app centralizing alerts, reminders, electronic forms and team conversations. With simple month-to-month pricing and no long-term commitments, Gripp can transform and streamline your operation, so you can focus on what’s most important—growing.
For a limited time get 15% of any monthly or yearly subscription at www.gripp.ag/pricing with the code THRIVEIN25