Like many ranch families in the region, ours has been on this land for generations. For this reason, our approach to sustainable agriculture is focused on stewardship. In our case, sustainability goes beyond our refusal to use hormones and antibiotics, and beyond feeding our cattle a diet consisting mainly of our own natural forages. We seek to preserve our land and pass it on to the next generation, and to preserve it as viable habitat where wildlife and our livestock can coexist.

For example, we do not poison or try to eradicate our sagebrush. Instead, we seek to promote and preserve a mosaic of sagebrush and grasses to support our local sage grouse population. Similarly, by providing raptor perches in specific locations, we have enlisted the aid of our diverse assortment of local hawks to keep our prairie dog population in check. To control noxious weed infestations, we do not spray chemicals; instead, we turn out the goats. They thrive on the weeds, and leave the grass for the cows.

We are fortunate that we have ample land to move our cattle from pasture to pasture so that their grazing does not impact too heavily upon any one area. Even in winter, when we need to feed the cattle every day, we never feed them in quite the same place. This practice encourages our cattle to distribute fertilizer evenly around our hay meadows. For more about how the rhythm of the passing years affects our operation, please read our seasons page.