Land & Legacy Vol. II

Welcome back to Land & Legacy. This feature we chat with Natalie Kovarik and learn what her first generation family ranch is doing in the ag industry.

Heidi Yeager

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Kovarik Ranch & Discover Ag

Welcome to another inspiring segment of our "Land & Legacy" series, where we delve into the lives of those shaping the future of American agriculture. This month, we're thrilled to introduce you to the Kovarik family, a testament to the spirit of first-generation ranchers. Together with her husband, this family isn't just running a ranch; they're building an empire from scratch through determination, innovation, and a deep love for the industry. But their impact doesn't stop at the fence line. With their podcast "Discover Ag," Natalie and her co host and fellow rancher, Tara, are revolutionizing how we talk about and understand agriculture, merging the charm of pop culture with the realities of farming life.

Can you share the story of how your ranching journey began? Challenges of being a first generation farm etc.

Like many, I found my home in the western world in my own way, on my own time. Originally raised as a proud rancher's daughter on a cattle ranch in Southwest Montana, I grew up immersed in the ranching industry but never planned to remain in it. That's Agriculture for you though - it has a way of staying with you without you even knowing it. After graduating college I was living in a “big city” in Montana working as a clinical pharmacist. While I lived near our family ranch and spent a lot (a lot) of my free time on the ranch, I still didn’t see how ranching and agriculture would fit into my future. Then I met my husband. He was at our family ranch looking at cattle to buy and I suppose the rest is history. He is what brought be back to living on a ranch, working on a ranch and raising my children on a ranch.

What does a typical day on the ranch look like for you?

There is no typical day for most farmers and ranchers ha. We are at the whim of the animals, the people and the machinery that we work with everyday. Some days the plan goes accordingly and other days, all hell breaks loose. I often talked about how this is one of my favorite things about being in agriculture though. The fact that there is no major schedule for us. It's exciting that each day holds something different – but at the same time when you pan out there is a deeply rooted rhythm to our profession too. We calve at the same time. Summer is alway spent on horseback at pasture etc. It's like I know what to expect every year, but just not what to expect each day.

What’s one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a rancher, and how did you overcome it?

The flood of 2019 was really challenging for our ranch and family - as was the drought of 2017. As you can tell Mother Nature often has the upper hand and it can be extremely difficult to deal with emotionally and physically. I think what got us through the different weather events was community and also, honestly, just pure determination to get up and do what we could each day to persevere.

The ranching lifestyle is often romanticized. What’s something you wish people understood about the realities of being a cattle rancher?

As rewarding as ranching can be, it’s not always an easy path to walk. The days are long, the elements are harsh and the financial risks are great. Oftentimes ranches are generational. A lot of blood, sweat and tears are put into making a farm or ranch run and the stress of having something to give to the next generation can be an overwhelming feeling for many in the industry. I also think the daily commitment to something outside of yourself and your family is very challenging at times. It’s even hard to put into words for those outside the industry to fully comprehend how devoted to our land and animals we have to be to succeed. But beyond all that … I think the biggest hardship or reality that we face as ranchers and farmers is what I just mentioned above - the lack of control we have when it comes to a majority of our jobs. Whether it is prices, weather, policy etc. a lot of the things that affect our farms and ranchers are out of our control. Which is a hard thing to handle for a lot of business owners.

Tell us about Discover Ag, how it has evolved and the goals you have for this podcast.

Discover Ag is my podcast and it is where agriculture and pop culture collide. Every Thursday we cover the top 3 trending topics in food, but with a female, millennial, pop culture sort of twist. It evolved out of my podcast co hosts and I’s mutual desire to disrupt the way people see food and farming. Too often agriculture is associated with the image of an older gentleman in overalls talking about corn and cows. That is NOT us. We wanted to take a new approach to conversations around food and make food/farming entertaining, inviting and trendy. We wanted to make ag cool again ha.

What are your long term goals for your operations?

My husband loves (LOVES) cattle. He is one of those lucky people that have just always known what they were meant to do with their lives from the moment they could walk. It’s always been cattle to him. He is very passionate about genetics and so the longer term goals for our operation center around growing our registered herd. He says anytime he can combine people and cattle, he's happy :)

What is your favorite part about your lifestyle?

The best part of ranch life is being connected to the land, the animals, and the seasons. There’s something special about watching the sunrise over the pastures or seeing a calf take its first steps. One of my favorite things is being able to hop on a horse and go riding through the hills at a moments notice! It’s a lifestyle that’s demanding but incredibly fulfilling, and it offers the perfect environment for raising a family.

We love that our kids get to grow up surrounded by wide-open spaces, learning the value of hard work, and developing a deep appreciation for nature and animals. They get to experience all the ups and downs of life on the ranch, from caring for newborn calves to riding horses across the pastures. There’s no better place to teach them important life lessons, build resilience, and make memories they’ll cherish forever.

Conclusion

Their story is one of resilience, where the love for the land and livestock has led to a thriving operation despite the trials posed by Mother Nature and market uncertainties. Their dedication to the agricultural industry goes beyond managing cattle; it extends into the realm of education and entertainment with "Discover Ag." This podcast has revolutionized how the public perceives agriculture, blending the worlds of pop culture, current events, and an engaging, entertaining take on the ag industry. By doing so, the Kovariks are not only preserving their legacy but are also actively shaping a new narrative for farming, one that invites and inspires a broader audience to appreciate and understand the complexities and joys of ranch life. Their commitment to making agriculture "cool again" showcases that with passion and innovation, the future of farming can be as vibrant and influential as the land they cultivate.