Cole Mannix, President & Founder of Old Salt Co-Op

If you ever get the chance, go to the Old Salt Festival in Montana. It’s a celebration of people coming together to support land stewardship in Montana. This year I was fortunate to be one of the speakers along with others in the regenerative space, plus regional authors, poets, and musicians. 

Now that I’ve returned and things have settled a bit, I have Cole Mannix, president and founder of Old Salt Co-op, on the show to talk about his experience with ranching and growing his business.

Cole grew up in a ranching family but spent a brief time in Boston pursuing a master's in theology before returning to his ranching roots in Montana. When he returned, he started working for a startup beef cooperative and then became the Associate Director at Western Landowners Alliance. Ultimately, in 2020 he left to begin forming Old Salt Co-op.

Cole’s vision for Old Salt is to be “more than a meat company.” It is a regional meat economy with vertically integrated enterprises. The goal is not to produce meat for a national market or to grow big enough to be sold to a larger company. Functioning as a co-op allows for the direct involvement of producers and employees while fostering lasting relationships with customers. 

Cole and I chat about what it was like growing up in Montana, why we need to create more inefficiencies in the food system, and the future goals for Old Salt Co-op.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube: Episode 259: Cole Mannix

Episode Credits:

Thank you to all who’ve made this show possible. Our hosts are Diana Rodgers and James Connolly. Our producer is Emily Soape. And, of course, we are grateful for our sponsors, Global Food Justice Alliance members, and listeners.

GFJA members get early access to ad-free podcasts, free downloads, and you’ll be helping get healthy protein like meat, fish, and eggs to food-insecure kids. Go to sustainabledish.com/join to support my work.

A big thanks to the sponsor of today’s show, LMNT.  LMNT is an electrolyte drink mix that has everything you need and nothing you don’t -  no artificial ingredients, food coloring, gluten, fillers, or sugar! 

LMNT comes in lots of great flavors, and when you go to sustainabledish.com/LMNT, you’ll get a free sample pack with your purchase. Plus, they have a convenient subscription program that makes it easy for you to keep your favorite flavors fully supplied. Head over to sustainabledish.com/LMNT to give it a try.