Our DisruptED Food Supply with Cole Mannix at the Old Salt Co-op

 

The global food supply chain is under intense scrutiny, with giant agribusinesses dominating the landscape and creating vulnerabilities in how we grow and distribute food. With concerns over sustainability, ecological impact, and the health implications of our food systems, the need for innovative and regenerative agricultural practices has never been more critical.

What does it take to create a sustainable, regenerative food system that nourishes people and heals the land?

Welcome to DisruptED, hosted by Ron J. Stefanski. In this episode, Ron sits down with Cole Mannix, President and Founder of Old Salt Co-op, to discuss the transformative potential of regenerative agriculture and the cooperative model. They explore how this approach can revitalize the food supply chain, ensure fair returns for producers, and foster a healthier relationship with the land.

Key Discussion Points:

  • Integrating livestock into ecosystems to enhance soil health, increase biodiversity, and create a sustainable food supply
  • Old Salt Co-op’s unique model ensures that more of the food dollar goes back to the producer, supporting better stewardship of the land
  • Through restaurants, festivals, and agritourism, Old Salt Co-op is building a community that understands and supports sustainable agriculture

Cole Mannix grew up on a family ranch in Helmville Valley, Montana. After studying biology, philosophy, and theology, Cole returned to his roots with a new vision for agriculture. He founded Old Salt Co-op to create a vertically integrated meat company that promotes regenerative agriculture and supports local ranchers. Cole’s innovative approach has gained recognition for its potential to transform the food supply chain sustainably.

Article by MarketScale

Recent Episodes

Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at a staggering pace, with nonprofit leaders now facing the same challenges and opportunities as their corporate counterparts. According to a Harvard Business Review study of 100 companies deploying generative AI, four strategic archetypes are emerging—ranging from bold innovators to disciplined integrators. For nonprofits, the stakes are even higher: harnessing…

Ryen Russillo’s decision to launch his own production company—while tapping Barstool for investment, distribution, and commercialization—lands squarely in the middle of a larger shift: audiences are following personalities more than platforms, and the business is finally catching up. For years, Russillo has been a fixture at the top of the sports podcast charts, first…

Career development no longer follows the predictable “ladder” of past decades. A 2024 Gallup analysis revealed that younger workers are increasingly disengaged from traditional career paths and instead seek purpose, flexibility, and balance in how they define success. Careers today move sideways, backward, and forward—more like a lattice than a ladder—requiring resilience, adaptability, and…