From Milk to Meat: Rethinking the Full Lifecycle of the Dairy Cow

At Lineage, we believe food is never just food. It’s the result of decisions made long before anything reaches your plate, about soil, animals, land stewardship, and whether a system extracts or regenerates.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Kiss the Ground. Their educational work—especially their mini-documentary series and their latest video on Retired Dairy Cows—doesn’t just explain regenerative agriculture in theory; it shows it in practice, through real farmers, real land, and real tradeoffs. The series reflects the heart of Lineage’s mission: honoring the full lifecycle of the animal, restoring soil health, supporting farmer livelihoods, and producing deeply flavorful, nutrient-dense food rooted in true regeneration.

We had the opportunity to interview Patrick Brown, Kiss the Ground’s Head of Farmer Relations + Board Member, a 4th-generation farmer, and USDA advisor to explore what regenerative farming really means, why retired dairy cows matter, and how ethical, climate-resilient food systems are rebuilt from the ground up.

If you’ve ever wondered what “regenerative” looks like beyond the label, or why it matters for your health, the land, and the future of food, this conversation is a powerful place to start.

1. In your own words, as a 4th-generation farmer, what does regenerative farming mean?

Regenerative farming is a traditional agricultural approach that focuses on soil biodiversity, creating carbon capture to overcome climatic weather events, utilizing crops that foster nutritional value naturally, and minimizing soil disturbance.

2. Why should every person who eats food care about regenerative farming?

What we intake in our bodies, specifically crops from regenerative soil, helps to contribute to the longevity of life. When a person is conscious of what they consume, they understand that highly processed food is not the answer. Regenerative farming ensures that the food you’re eating is real, clean, and grown in ways that support both your well-being and the land it comes from.

3. What's one thing most people misunderstand about how their food is grown or raised?

Every species of plant has a unique purpose, and we are so consumed in everyday life that we often don't take the time to educate ourselves about the purpose and nutritional value of the food we eat. Many people are miseducated and therefore misunderstand the purpose of their food.

4. Especially given your work with the USDA, what are you most hopeful about for the future?

At this time in the 21st century, the USDA is willing to identify baselines for a regenerative scope for agriculture and inclusion. I think that, regardless of the administration, there is an understanding that recognized farming practices are no longer just conventional or USDA-certified organic. Regenerative agriculture must have a distinct separation, so that farmers like myself can benefit from direct markets to the consumer. I’m also hopeful that the USDA will include a regenerative scope in the next Farm Bill, which is long overdue. I am very optimistic we will see that as we move forward.

5. We loved the latest mini-documentary from Kiss the Ground about retired dairy cows. In your words, why are retired dairy cows an important part of regenerative agriculture?

The retired dairy cow is important because that cow now has a multi-purpose life. That cow can now live a longer life span and provide rotational grazing on the farm, which helps fertilize and build up the soil. Not only does the cow help the environment, it also helps the farmer diversify their portfolio by providing a regenerative beef-labeled product with nutritional value for the consumer.

6. How does beef from retired dairy cows compare nutritionally and flavor-wise to younger, conventionally raised beef, or even other regeneratively raised beef?

The difference is that the retired dairy cow is naturally grazing instead of consuming grain feed that is just meant to fatten up the cow for a more marbled beef product. A cow that naturally grazes and consumes nothing but natural grasses and leguminous cover is going to produce a more naturally-flavored beef product for the consumer.

7. Why did dual-purpose cattle fall out of favor, and why is it returning now?

I think capitalism and the economy played a big role in why dual-purpose cattle fell out of favor. Over time, the price per cow and market pressures shifted, making dual-purpose animals less attractive. But now, with today’s inflationary costs, it has become harder for farmers to find profit, so they’re returning to dual-purpose operations. Farmers have to come up with different ways to stay financially stable, and utilizing a dual-purpose cow operation helps them overcome challenges that they may face financially.

8. How does rotational grazing of dairy cows — even before they retire — benefit soil health?

When you’re rotational grazing, the cows’ hooves help aerate the soil, and their dung provides natural fertility, which creates more microbiology in the soil and attracts other wildlife. The more rotational grazing a cattle farmer does, the better the soil becomes. It’s a multifaceted, natural, traditional grazing concept and an indigenous practice that has existed since the beginning of time. Today, we call it regenerative, but it has always been a natural, traditional way to build healthy soil.

9. What does the story of retired dairy cows reveal about the future of ethical and sustainable meat?

The story of retired dairy cows (which you can watch for free here) shows that ethical, sustainable meat comes from animals that have been given a truly multi-purpose life. Ethically, using the cow for more than one purpose is more conscious and respectful of the animal’s quality of life, and ultimately benefits the consumer as well.

As far as sustainability, sustainable meat comes from cows that live a longer life and are fed naturally on grazed pasture land, not GMO grain in a feedlot or processed barn. A cow that lives on the land, feeds from the land, and fertilizes the land is naturally more sustainable. And when consumers understand that, they feel more comfortable and confident purchasing that meat.

10. How does this film challenge the conventional narrative around agriculture?

By showing the public that you can be successful in dairy farming through regenerative practices, instead of relying on the one-sided conventional approach. Conventional systems often speed up the process of producing meat through feedlots and feeding cattle GMO processed grain. Just because it’s faster-paced doesn’t mean it’s better for the consumer. The film also highlights that consumers have options. They can continue to buy conventional beef, or they can choose regenerative, naturally grazed cattle. In that way, the film opens people’s eyes to the differences between conventionally-raised cattle and regeneratively-raised cattle, and why those distinctions matter.

11.What’s a straightforward action anyone can take to support regenerative farmers?

Advocate for your local Co-op market to identify regenerative farms and bring those products to the shelf. Another simple way to support regenerative farmers is by promoting and sharing regenerative goods (like those by Lineage!) or by donating to organizations that support them, like Kiss the Ground, where every $100 donated helps support the transition of 10 acres of land to regenerative.

12. If someone wanted to try beef from a retired dairy cow, where would you direct them?

I would direct them to Kiss the Ground’s purchasing guides and Farmer Map, where we list regenerative farms in each state. People can purchase directly from those farms, get to know the farmers, and even subscribe to their offerings. Many of these farms offer CSA membership plans that deliver fresh regenerative beef or produce every week.

13. Where can people learn more, or better yet - get involved?!

The best way to get involved is to start by identifying and understanding the farms around you. Or deepen your knowledge, take courses to understand what regenerative means. There’s a lot of literature and information online, plus Kiss the Ground offers online, on-demand courses for anyone interested in getting started in the movement.  From there, advocate with your local Farm Service Agency to support regenerative farms at the national level. That helps create more workshops and encourages land-grant institutions to get involved in training farmers on how to transition to regenerative agriculture.

Q: Is there anything we didn’t ask that you’d like people to understand about this movement?

Donating to organizations like Kiss the Ground really makes a difference. Every $100 donated to Kiss the Ground helps inspire and catalyze the transition of 10 acres of land to regenerative agriculture. Last year, Kiss the Ground awarded $500,000 to small- to mid-sized farmers to support their transition, and next year we aim to donate another $500,000 to keep this movement growing. I think it’s very important for people to understand the impact their support can have.

Patrick Brown is an accomplished American, hailing from Henderson, NC. Raised on his family farm, he’s the 4th-generation heir with deep roots in cultivating tobacco, soybeans, and wheat, guided by his late father, Rev. Dr. Arthur A. He served as an Agriculture Advisor for the USDA and government agencies in Afghanistan while managing Brown Family Farms. Passionate about regenerative agriculture, Patrick pioneers holistic practices on his ancestral land in the Hecks Grove community of Warren County. His mission at Brown Family Farms is to offer carbon-neutral products like industrial hemp, herbs, and organic vegetables, providing medicinal solutions and sustainable alternatives. An influential speaker, Patrick addresses conferences nationwide and founded the Rev. Dr. A. A. Brown Foundation to mentor future farmers. With 16 years of federal service, including Defense Intelligence Agency roles, Patrick is now Nature for Justice’s first Director of the Growing America Farmer Prosperity, leading the USDA-funded Climate-Smart Project. Patrick is also a Board Director at Kiss the Ground and is involved in educational initiatives, such as the Kiss the Ground mini-documentary series. Patrick’s leadership, humility, and commitment to sustainable agriculture make him a true visionary, dedicated to transforming farming for a brighter future.

If you have questions about this piece, please email us at hello@lineageprovisions.com.