143: How Carrot-Fed Beef is Revolutionizing Ranching and Your Health ft Justin Pettit

In this episode, Ste sits down with Justin Pettit, third-generation rancher and co-founder of Santa Carota Beef, the only ranch in America finishing their cattle on a diet of fresh, upcycled carrots.

Justin shares how his family turned a drought and food waste problem into a revolutionary approach to ranching, producing some of the most nutrient-rich, flavorful, and sustainable beef in the country. From feeding up to a million pounds of carrots a day to serving the Wynn Las Vegas and Wolfgang Puck’s restaurants, his story is one of grit, faith, and doing things differently.

They unpack: The origin story of carrot-fed beef and how it all began on a California ranch What makes carrot-finished beef taste and feel different from grain-fed The real economics and politics of the American beef industry Why small ranchers are vital to the future of regenerative farming Lessons on family, purpose, and finding meaning in hard work

This is a conversation for anyone who cares about real food, ethical ranching, and knowing the story behind what’s on your plate.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro 01:20 – The Wild Idea Behind Carrot-Fed Beef 03:00 – From Drought to Innovation 06:30 – Breaking into the Beef Industry 10:30 – The Nutritional Science of Carrot-Finished Beef 14:30 – Flavor, Texture, and Nutrient Differences 18:00 – The State of Ranching in America 24:00 – Regenerative Agriculture & Food Sovereignty 30:00 – Homesteading, Family, and Legacy 42:00 – Health, Faith, and Finding Purpose 51:00 – Lessons from the Land

Radical Health Radio is produced by Heart & Soil, founded by Dr. Paul Saladino, MD. Our mission is to help you reclaim your birthright to radical health through the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.