Mike Callicrate

Rancher and farmer, Ranch Foods Direct

Mike Callicrate is a farmer-rancher, business entrepreneur and family farm advocate. Considered the “go-to expert” on the negative consequences of industrial meat production, he served as an advisor for the films Food Inc. and FRESH and for several best-selling books including Fast Food Nation and The Omnivore’s Dilemma. A native of Evergreen, Colorado, he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Colorado State University in 1975. After college, he started farming and ranching. In 2000, he formed Ranch Foods Direct, a branded beef company. His fabrication plant and retail stores in Colorado Springs process and market high quality meats, along with many other local, artisan food products. He is currently transitioning his farm to a multi-species regenerative agricultural model using natural methods to improve the health of the land and livestock. He also operates an on-farm slaughter facility to reduce stress on the animals.