Cowboy Up / Basecamp For Veterans

.

Welcome to Another Episode Cowboy Up / Basecamp for Veterans! On this episode we invite Matt Reasor to the alongside the return of Deborah Plum!

Welcome to Another Episode Cowboy Up / Basecamp for Veterans! On this episode we invite Bryce Albright to the show

As we hit the "make-or-break" water sharing agreements of 2026, the headlines are filled with anxiety and finger-pointing. This week, Steven and Russell sit down with local farmer Arnold Burrell to separate reality from the rumors regarding the Colorado River cuts.The 2026 Reckoning: Why the current cuts to the Central Arizona Project weren't a surprise to those on the land.The "Wasteful Farmer" Myth: Debunking the idea that desert agriculture is "sipping the well dry."The Alfalfa Connection: Why those green fields are the essential backbone of your local dairy and food supply.Modern Innovation: How Arizona farmers have boosted water efficiency by 72% since the 80s using laser-leveling and lined ditches.From deeper Colorado River cuts to the future of the American West, we’re looking at how Arizona is "sipping smarter" to keep the desert thriving.In this episode, we tackle:

.

High Desert Heritage: Guarding the Legacy of Elder Ranch Deep in the high desert of Burns, Oregon, lies the Elder Ranch—a place where the "Cowboy Way" meets the modern challenges of 2026. This week, Ranch Manager Bridger Talbot joins us to discuss the delicate balance of managing a family legacy across 180,000 acres of wild terrain. From navigating the proximity of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to the reality of predator pressure and wolf coexistence,Bridger shares what it takes to produce "High Desert" beef in one of the most rugged environments in the West.

The $10 Pound: Is Beef Becoming a Luxury? With cattle numbers at a 75-year low, the American dinner plate is changing. In this episode, first-generation rancher Erin Michalski of Eagle Rock Ranch joins us to break down the "Direct-to-Table" revolution. We discuss why beef has hit $10/lb, the truth behind grain-finishing in a high-cost market, and why "visiting the ranch" is the new standard for the 2026 consumer. If you’re tired of grocery store sticker shock, Erin shares how to find value—including the one "undervalued" cut you should be asking for right now.

Missiles, Mustangs, and Mentorship What do nuclear missiles and therapeutic riding have in common? Reliability. Join us as Jeff Copfer—a veteran who admits he’s better at "eye-to-eye" horse communication than riding—shares how TROT serves as a sanctuary for veterans and first responders. We also talk with Program Director Dora Brown, the expert behind TROT’s herd welfare and adaptive riding. Whether it’s the Wednesday morning coffee social or ground-based counseling, learn how this team uses the power of the horse to foster post-traumatic growth.