Western Landowners Alliance

Soil Health & Nutrient Management Webinar
2026-02-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Zoom
Featured speaker: Donnie Englehardt
Donnie is an experienced agricultural consultant with a deep-rooted commitment to advancing soil health, plant vitality, livestock wellbeing, and water quality. With a diverse background spanning regenerative land management and sustainable farming systems, he brings an integrative perspective to every operation, large or small.
Hosted by Western Landowners Alliance, Rocky Mountain Front Ranchlands Group, and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.

Cowgirl Proven: Pasture First, Profit Follows
2026-02-19 08:00 - 17:00 | Redwing Ranch, Redwing Ranch, Gardner, CO, United States
Workshop Overview
Join Redwing Ranch for a boots-on-the-ground grazing management intensive designed for anyone working with livestock or land. You’ll leave with the tools and confidence to evaluate forage, plan graze periods, and understand what it takes to run a grazing enterprise that pencils—whether you own cattle, lease land, or custom graze.
Expect a mix of classroom learning, ranch math, pasture walks, and practical tools you can take home and use.
Participants will:

Calculate stocking rates and stock days per acre (SDA)

Use Web Soil Survey to estimate forage productivity

Build grazing plans and simple enterprise budgets

Explore lease and custom grazing strategies that actually pencil

Leave with a Redwing Resources toolkit to adapt to your context

Who This Is For

Ranchers, graziers, landowners, and aspiring stewards

Folks who want to run numbers and run herds

Anyone looking to improve grazing systems and land health

No prior experience required—just willingness to learn and engage.

What’s Included

All meals Friday dinner → Sunday lunch

2 nights shared lodging at Redwing Ranch (camping option available)

Workshop materials and printouts

Access to Redwing’s Resources collection

What to Bring

Notebook + pencil

Calculator (phone is fine)

Layers for variable weather

Closed-toed shoes for field walks

Curiosity and grit

Details

Dates: August 21–23, 2026

Location: Redwing Ranch, Gardner, CO

Capacity: Limited to 15 participants for an intimate, hands-on experience

Pricing: Tiered ticket options available

Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society Presents: The Coordination and Collaboration in Conservation Conference
2026-02-23 - 2026-02-27 | Missoula Holiday Inn Downtown, 200 South Pattee, Missoula, MT, 59802, United States
We all know that wildlife don’t follow jurisdictional boundaries. We’ve watched the effects of Climate Change impact the environment, regardless of whether the land is Tribal; State; Federally; or Privately owned. And while seeking food, a bear may be looking for a loaded serviceberry bush, but we know they won’t pass up on a household garbage can or an unsecured chicken coop.
In the wildlife and habitat conservation field, the issues we face are often complex and the scope lies beyond any single management boundary. We rely on effective coordination with one another, across jurisdictions and legal boundary lines, to make the greatest impact on wildlife and their habitats. By working together, we can pool resources, expertise, and funding to have a larger impact than any one entity could, alone. For example, regional research and monitoring efforts on Threatened and Endangered species like the North American Wolverine, or Canada Lynx. Data collected across a larger landscape, supplied by multiple State; Tribal; Federal; and Non-Profit agencies, can help researchers model more accurately and provide important insights into species recovery and conservation.
Coordinating habitat management between agencies can also improve landscape consistency. Coordinated burning schedules and water delivery, even weed spraying can increase the impact of any single effort. Wildlife agencies working with non-profit organizations have also helped to secure important habitats through conservation easements. This can help protect larger landscapes, by protecting important travel corridors and connecting already protected habitat complexes.
Another element of this collaboration that we can’t forget to highlight, are the wonderful people in the communities that we live in! They are the stakeholders that share the landscape with wildlife, who also enjoy a healthy ecosystem. They recreate, and are also the volunteers that help count birds and collect important data for programs like the Montana Bee Atlas! We know that our work doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and it takes careful coordination and collaboration to conserve wild spaces and their inhabitants.
In 2026, our Annual Conference of the Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society will seek to honor one another and celebrate the incredible partnerships we have that enable us to achieve the great work that we all do! Keep up the great work!

CalGLC Webinar Series
2026-02-27 13:00 - 14:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_coc2S4L6RZ2kPmz39RNilA#/registration
Building Partnerships in Stewardship Economies: Ranching, community-based organization, voluntary conservation, rangeland research, and policy-making all intersect in successful efforts for rural economic development and sustainability. Let’s talk about it!
Are you interested in strategies for working more effectively with peers and partners?
Hear from representatives from local, state, and west-wide efforts focused on the stewardship of working lands and working communities by working together.

March 28 at noon PST
Centering Community Voices – Using Situation, Problem Solution Framework

Functionality and dysfunctionality of collaboration
Problems and wicked problems
Feasibility, utility & risk
Situation, problem, solution
Where does innovation and adaptation happen?
Why do we engage or not engage?
Talking through examples like: Public Lands, Water, Wildlife, and Economic Development

April 25
Ranchers in the Driver’s Seat: Addressing risk, strengthening community, and improving quality of life together

Inviting new perspectives and skill sets into your community—and when some just show up
Managing the tensions – being grounded in the community while navigating funding, agency rules/culture, etc.
Leaning into the cycles of conflict and resolution, and knowing when not to partner/collaborate and who to invite
Multi-generational opportunities and challenges
The power of convening/coordinating capacity as generative/emergent

May 30
From ranch to co-lobor-atory, from research to co-production- better science through community partnerships
June 27
Grounded policy – discovering solutions within ranching communities

Bringing Water Back to the Land
2026-03-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Featuring guest speakers Autumn Holzgen of the Montana Conservation Corps and Shelby Weigand of the National Wildlife Federation. Autumn & Shelby will talk about riparian systems – what’s healthy, what’s degrading, and how to recognize both. Then they will move into restoration methods with a focus on low-tech process-based restoration. Finally, they’ll share resources available for landowners that are interested in restoring and improving their riparian systems.

Save the Farm, Save the Future Screening
2026-03-14 13:00 - 15:00 | The Guild Cinema, 3405 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, United States
Please join the Thornburg Foundation for a special Albuquerque screening of Save the Farm, Save the Future, followed by a community panel discussion.
This powerful documentary explores how farmers and ranchers are navigating the intersection of agriculture and renewable energy — and what innovative approaches like agrivoltaics could mean for the future of land, water, and rural communities.
Event Details
The Guild Cinema – Albuquerque
Saturday, March 14, 2026
1:00–3:00 PM (doors open at 12:30 PM)
Free to attend (registration requested)
Following the film, a panel of local and regional speakers will reflect on the film and discuss what these ideas mean for New Mexico.
Space is limited — reserve your free ticket today.

Passing the Reins: A Succession Planning Workshop
2026-03-16 08:00 | Sleep Inn & Suites, 1006 S Haynes Ave, Miles City, MT, 59301-5726, United States
With more ranchers reaching retirement age, the need for thoughtful succession planning is becoming increasingly important. Simultaneously, the next generation of agrarians is seeking opportunities to become future land stewards. Passing the Reins: A Succession Planning Workshop is designed to spark meaningful conversations, share examples of successful transitions, and build a supportive community for both new agrarians and seasoned farmers and ranchers.
The workshop will dive into the legal side of succession as well as the lesser-discussed interpersonal dynamics that can make the process so challenging.
• A panel discussion of farmers and ranchers who have creatively and successfully navigated succession will offer their perspectives
• Break-out sessions for both experienced and beginning agrarians will give participants an opportunity to learn from their peers.
• Those who attend the workshop will leave with a toolkit for knowing what questions to ask as they start their succession planning journey.
Coffee, light snacks, and lunch will be provided. Fee for the workshop is on a sliding scale, $0-100. Additional donations are also appreciated.
Lodging: Attendees can reserve hotel rooms for March 15-16 at the Sleep Inn & Suites Miles City until February 16, 2026. Call (406) 232-3000 to reserve a room in the “Succession Planning Group” block at a discounted rate of $139/night. Limited rooms are available. (See financial support info below for assistance with lodging costs.)
Questions about the workshop? Contact Mattie Griswold at mattie@quiviracoalition.org.
Additional Financial Support: If you are a Montana resident and are interested in receiving financial support for registration and/or lodging, funding is available from Rural Employment Opportunities of Montana. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply here. Questions? Contact Ashley Milsop, Client Service Coordinator at 406-437-2382 or ashley@reomontana.org.

EQIP Bridge Loan Webinar
2026-03-17 07:30 - 08:30 | Zoom
Farmers, ranchers, and conservation partners: join Food System 6 on March 17 for a webinar on the 0% EQIP Bridge Loan Program.
Many farmers want to implement conservation practices through USDA’s EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program), but there’s a major barrier: producers typically have to pay upfront for the work and wait months for reimbursement.
The EQIP Bridge Loan Program helps solve that problem.
Food System 6 provides 0% bridge loans so producers can cover upfront project costs and then repay the loan once their EQIP reimbursement arrives.
In this webinar we’ll cover:
• How the program works• Who is eligible• How applications are evaluated• What documents you’ll need• Live Q&A
Who should attend: Farmers, ranchers, landowners, and organizations supporting producers in eligible states who are implementing EQIP-funded conservation projects.
Tuesday, March 17Morning session: 7:30 AM MTEvening session: 6:30 PM MT
Register here:https://lnkd.in/g5RAU7-3
The program is run by Food System 6 and sponsored by the SHOT Fund.

Stewarding our Water Future Conference
2026-03-26 - 2026-03-27 | Burlington Community Center, 340 S 14th Street, Burlington, CO, 80807, United States
Ogallala Commons invites you to register for our upcoming regional education event, a “Stewarding Our Water Future” Conference on March 26-27, 2026, at the Burlington Community Center in Burlington, CO!
Thursday, March 26th features a full day of conference presentations and exhibitions from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, followed by a couple of Field Tours on Friday morning, March 27th (finishing with lunch then adjournment at 1pm Mountain Time.
The conference is presented by Ogallala Commons, with generous grant funding from the Gates Family Foundation.
Purpose of the Conference:
With irrigation prospects and domestic well levels dwindling, along with greatly reduced surface water in our rivers and tributaries, it’s easy to get discouraged about future water resources in the eastern Plains of Colorado.
For more than a century, human communities made a living by extracting large amounts of water from local landscapes. But going forward, our well-being and survival will depend on how well we keep water circulating in the landscapes, finding ways to rehydrate our soils, our streambeds and grasslands.
The purpose of this conference is: 1) to shift the public conversation about water depletion toward a more hopeful narrative built on a wide range of innovative solutions, and 2) to expand the stakeholder coalition focused on improving the water realities we leave for future generations.
In addition to more than seven sessions featuring 11 speakers on March 26th, the second day will offer three Field Tours on Friday morning, March 27th, conducted in the Burlington area (make sure you choose a tour when registering). There is also an option for attending only one day of the conference or only the Field Tours.

PRESERVED: The Story of Ted Turner's Vermejo
2026-03-30 19:30 - 21:30 | The Guild Cinema, 3405 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, United States
GUEST SPEAKERS INCLUDE DEB HAALAND, BEN CLARK, LANCE BERNAL, ABQ TROUT UNLIMITED REP. HARRIS KLEIN, and WESTERN LANDOWNERS ALLIANCE’S ANABELLA MILLER!
In an era of wildfires, drought, and species decline, Vermejo is proof that ecosystem restoration is possible. And it’s a blueprint for where it can happen next. PRESERVED is more than a film—it’s a call to action. From farmers and ranchers to hikers and hunters, we all have a role to play. For nearly 175 years, the Southwestern United States has seen civilizations rise and fall, leaving behind landscapes stripped by time and industry. Northern New Mexico’s 560,000-acre Vermejo is one such place—a land rich with history, from dinosaurs and early Indigenous communities to homesteaders, a conservation-minded grain baron, and Hollywood’s glitterati seeking outdoor recreation. But modern times took their toll, leaving it overgrazed and scarred by mining. In 1996, Ted Turner bought the land as part of his work to restore and protect lands across the United States. A dedicated team began to work to heal the land, transforming it into a thriving sanctuary. Today, Vermejo stands as a testament to what’s possible: biodiversity restored, landscapes reborn, and a model for global conservation.

The Economics and Natural Resource Benefits of Virtual Fencing in the Western US
2026-04-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
In this webinar produced by the United States Department of Agriculture’s research lab at the Jornada Experimental Range, researchers will share insights from producer-focused surveys, adoption studies, and economic modeling of VF systems in the Southwest and Southern Plains. Speakers will discuss how ranch size, herd size, and producer preferences—such as precision grazing, herd tracking, and fencing alternatives—shape adoption decisions. The presentation will highlight the costs and benefits of VF relative to traditional fencing, emphasizing practical break-even thresholds and producer tradeoffs. Speakers will also explore how VF can serve as a natural resource management tool in ecologically sensitive areas. Drawing on cattle–elk conflict simulation and AI decision-support systems, researchers will demonstrate how VF can be paired with satellite imagery, drone flights, and AI grazing models to improve conservation outcomes.

Where the Wild Things Graze: A Night of Films Celebrating the Rangelands That Sustain Our World
2026-04-02 18:00 - 20:00 | The Crystal Theatre, 427 Main Street, Carbondale, CO, 81623, United States
(Want to see the latest WLA film Three Creeks in theaters? Here’s your chance! Learn more about the new movie here.)
Look out your window in the Roaring Fork Valley and much of what you see is rangeland. On April 2, 6-8 pm you are invited to learn about the remarkable story of these landscapes and the people who have called them home for generations.
Rangelands cover nearly half of the Earth’s unfrozen surface, supporting incredible biodiversity, storing carbon, producing food, and sustaining the lives of hundreds of millions of people, from Colorado ranchers to nomadic herders on the Mongolian steppe. Despite their vastness, these ecosystems are among the most overlooked on Earth; that’s beginning to change. At the urging of over 102 nations, the United Nations
has designated 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, and two local rangeland specialists are bringing that global call back home to Carbondale.
Films From Around the Globe
The April 2nd event will feature a curated selection of short films from around the world- screened to support the UN’s International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Each film provides a view into landscapes and ways of life that few of us ever see, broadening our understanding of the people and land that feed the world.
Special Presentations by Two Remarkable Voices
Dr. Maria Fernández-Giménez | Retired Professor of Rangeland Ecology & Management, Colorado State University
Dr. Fernández-Giménez has spent more than three decades studying pastoral communities in the American West, Spain, and Mongolia — where she was among the first Western scientists to conduct field research after the country’s transition from Communism. Her contributions have been recognized at the highest levels: in 2016, Mongolia awarded her the Order of the Polar Star — the country’s highest civilian
honor for foreign nationals, previously bestowed upon Hillary Clinton and John McCain. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications, she offers rare depth to the story of the world’s pastoralists.
Meriwether Hardie | Explorer, Storyteller & Author
Some people study the land. Meriwether Hardie lives it. After growing up on a family farm in Vermont, she spent a year as an environmental journalism fellow with Bill McKibben — then bought a horse for $200 in Argentina and rode from Patagonia to Bolivia on horseback, voice recorder in hand, to report on indigenous communities caught between tradition and modernity. In 2025, she traded that trail for the dirt roads of the rural American West. She is now writing a book on the future of Western working lands, drawn from conversations at the end of those driveways — with ranchers, Indigenous families, and conservationists navigating change.
Locally Rooted, Globally Connected
The event is organized by Sami Dinar, a local rangeland management specialist, and Retta Bruegger of CSU Extension — both deeply involved in the rangelands and agricultural communities of the Roaring Fork Valley.
Col“The Roaring Fork Valley is known for its world-class skiing, recreation, and stunning landscapes — but many people don’t realize that agriculture is also part of this community, literally woven into the land we love. We wanted to bring visibility to the issues that impact ranchers here and pastoralists globally, and to build appreciation for rangelands and the people who depend on them.” — Sami Dinar, Event Organizer
Admission is free. Seating is limited.
Pre-register to guarantee your spot — and enjoy a complimentary popcorn and drink on us.
https://970tix.com/events/rangelandfilms
Wednesday, April 2, 2026 • 6 – 8 PM
The Crystal Theatre • 427 Main St. • Carbondale, Colorado

Spring Adaptive Grazing Workshop with the Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership
2026-04-07 - 2026-04-08 | University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT, United States
Please SAVE THE DATE for the Spring Adaptive Grazing Workshop facilitated by the Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership.
The workshop will be held on April 7 & 8, 2026 in Dillon, MT (field trip near Sheridan, MT).
April 7 will be a line-up of great presenters including Dave Scott, Glenn Elzinga, Chuck Petersen, Agee Smith and (tentatively) Megan Nasto. Presentations will include Holistic Grazing (sheep), holistic winter grazing (cattle), winter grazing in sagebrush steppe (cattle and sheep), local direct marketing, national direct marketing, and measuring and analyzing soil health. The venue for the presentations on April 7 will be the University of Montana-Western Swysgood Technology Center’s Great Room. Lunch will be provided.
April 8 will include a field trip to the 5L Ranch near Sheridan, MT and presenters will include 5L Ranch owner Larry Mehlhoff and Soil Health Specialist Donnie Engelhardt.

***
Agenda

April 7 – UM Western – Swysgood Technology Center Great Room
April 8 – Field Trip Ruby Valley – Gilman IH Cattle Co and 5L Ranch
Schedule:
April 7 – Tuesday -Workshop 8:00 – 4:30
8:00 – 8:30 Coffee, pastries and networking
8:30–9:00 Welcome – Introductions
9:00–10:00 Megan Nasto: Soil Health on Western Rangelands: What to Measure, How to Measure It, & What it Means for Grazing Management
10:00–10:45 Dave Scott: Your Direct Sell Advantage: Nutrient Dense Meat Plus Ecological Service
10:45–11:00 Break
11:00–12:15 Chuck Petersen: Innovative approaches to fall/winter uplands grazing.
12:15–1:30 Lunch
1:30–2:30 Agee Smith: Winter Grazing Experience in the Cold Desert
2:30–3:30 Glenn Elzinga: Sagebrush Ocean: Wasteland or Breadbasket?
3:30–3:45 Break
3:45–4:30 Panel Q&A; sharing by participants; Wrap up!
April 8 – Wednesday – Field Trip Ruby Valley 9:00 – 1:00
8:30 – 9:00 Meet at Twin Bridges Rest Area to carpool – Coffee provided
9:30 – 10:30 Gilman IH Cattle Co. – led by Charlie Gillman
11:00 – 12:00 5L Ranch – led by Donnie Engelhardt
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch and wrap up
***
Biographies of Speakers
Dave Scott
Dave has been practicing multi-paddock adaptive grazing with dairy cows and sheep on irrigated pasture near Whitehall, MT since 1982. He also worked as a grazing specialist with National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) for eight years. Dave and his wife Jenny direct-marketed lamb under the Montana Highland Lamb label for fifteen years into the Bozeman, Helena and Missoula markets. Their efforts culminated in selling 300 lambs annually to Montana State University’s Miller Dining Hall, restaurants, grocery stores and private individuals.
Chuck Petersen
Chuck Petersen is a retired NRCS conservationist who resides with his wife Jennifer in Spring Creek, NV. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Range Management from Humboldt State University (1991) and a masters degree in Range Science from Utah State University (2012). Chuck’s work with Fred Provenza (Utah State University) and Agee Smith (Cottonwood Ranch, Elko County, NV) involving cattle feeding behaviors represents his contribution to the ongoing discussion regarding livestock use of alternative forages that result in a variety of ecological and economic benefits.
Agee Smith
Agee is a partner in a family-owned ranch which sits in the O’Neil Basin on the east side of the Jarbidge mountains in northeast Nevada. He is a 4th generation rancher and has been part of the management team since 1977. The ranch is a cow/calf operation that holds permits on both BLM and USFS managed lands. The ranch has a Hunting and Guest Ranch business also. Agee has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. Additional education includes Ranching for Profit – Dave Pratt; Holistic Management – Tommy Martin and Steve Rich; Low Stress Stockmanship – Budd Williams; Lost River Grazing Academy – Jim Garrish; Integrity Soils – Nicole Masters. Agee is also a Marine Corps Veteran.
Glenn Elzinga
Glenn Elzinga, with his wife Caryl, 7 daughters and several solid ranch hands ranch full time in Idaho’s Pahsimeroi Valley. There, they raise black cattle on 49,000 acres. They are first generation, starting 32 years ago with no inherited equity on 60 irrigated acres and 7 cows. Now they run a 7-figure direct marketing beef, lamb and pork business that sells all that their ranch produces. They have started transitioning their profitable ranch to the next generation, capitalizing on the living soils and vibrant ecosystems that now exist as a result of their hands-on grazing management.
Megan K. Nasto, Ph.D. – Soil Biogeochemist & Agroecologist, HNH Ecology
Food has a way of bringing people together. It’s a shared human need, it’s how we gather, it carries culture and identity, it’s a simple way to care for one another, it provides us with a sense of place, and it sparks conversation and camaraderie. And it – ultimately – all comes from the ground beneath our feet. The living, teeming, thriving world of soil. Soil – without which we would have nothing and be nothing. This is precisely why I work within the fields of soil biogeochemistry and agroecology.
I believe a healthy and respectful understanding of the properties and processes of soil, and how we alter them through various land management practices, is of absolute necessity to care for the land that cares for us. I’ve been working towards building and communicating this understanding for over 15 years with a portfolio of producer-centered, applied research within croplands, pasturelands, and rangelands at the landscape-scale. I focus on turning real-world research into practical, decision-ready insights that actually help land managers. I absolutely love collaborating, building trust, and doing applied science that supports both working lands and the people who depend on them. So let’s break bread and work together!
Donnie Engelhardt
Donnie Engelhardt is an experienced agricultural consultant with a deep-rooted commitment to advancing soil health, plant vitality, livestock well-being, and water quality. With a diverse background spanning in regenerative land management, and sustainable farming systems, he brings an integrative perspective to every operation, large or small. Driven by the belief that nutrient-dense food is the foundation of health—for both animals and humans. Donnie works to connect the dots across the entire agricultural ecosystem. From improving soil biology and crop resilience to enhancing forage quality and animal performance, his approach is grounded by field experience and centered on long-term ecological and economic viability.
Whether consulting with producers, land stewards, or food system stakeholders, Donnie is dedicated to helping clients build healthier, more productive systems that deliver real nutrition from the ground up.
Charlie Gilman – Gilman IH Cattle
Gilman IH Cattle is a family-run ranch located in Alder, Montana, which has operated across multiple generations. Initially, the ranch was a modern-traditional cow/calf operation. In 2007, the ranch shifted its calving season from February to May. This change was made to reduce operational inputs and improve efficiency. The ranch purchases yearling cattle to fill mountain leases, leaving the cow herd to rotationally graze on irrigated land in the valley. During the winter, the cows graze on dormant grass. Gilman IH Cattle is committed to improving land health. The ranch employs effective management practices and utilizes livestock as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance its profitability and the quality of its pastures and rangeland.
Larry Mehlhoff – 5L Ranch
Larry Mehlhoff is an eighth-generation farmer and rancher whose roots run deep in American agriculture. Raised on his family’s farm in North Dakota, Larry learned early that diversification and hard work are the backbone of a successful operation. From chickens to pigs to cattle, along with crop farming and the daily responsibilities of ranch life, he gained hands on experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to agriculture.
In 1979, Larry’s family moved to Livingston, Montana, continuing their agricultural journey in the West. After several years in Livingston, they spent time ranching in eastern Montana before Larry ultimately settled in Sheridan in 1991 with a vision and clear goals for the future. What began as a dream has grown into 5L Ranch, a diversified operation in southwest Montana focused on raising cattle, growing crops, and stewarding the land for future generations.
Larry believes ranching is not defined by set working hours. Sunup to sundown does not dictate the workday. Getting the job done and finishing the work is what matters. Through many trials and tribulations, his philosophy has remained steady with one guiding principle, no quit.
Throughout his career, Larry has served on numerous agricultural boards spanning both cattle and crop sectors, sharing hard learned lessons and practical insight with producers across the country. His experience reflects decades of adaptation, learning, and commitment to improving both land and livestock management.
Today, the next generation is deeply involved in the ranch, with grandchildren already coming along and learning the values of agriculture. At 5L Ranch, stewardship is more than a philosophy. By integrating regenerative practices, thoughtful planning, and intentional management, Larry works to ensure the land remains productive and resilient for years to come. Every tool and every decision is part of a long-term vision to grow crops, raise cattle, and sustain the ranch for future generations.

Grazing Strategies for Drought
2026-04-09 12:00 - 13:30 | CO
Join Rocky Mountain Front Ranchlands Group and Western Landowners Alliance for our upcoming webinar, “Grazing Strategies for Drought.” Hear from Rick Caquelin, a retired NRCS range scientist, and Mark DeBoo, a forward-thinking livestock producer using rotational grazing and virtual fencing, as they share proven, real-world strategies for managing drought. This is a great opportunity to learn practical tools, improve resilience, and gain insights you can apply directly to your operation.

Responding to Drought Impacts in 2026: Workshop for Livestock Producers
2026-04-13 11:00 - 15:00 | The River Rock Cafe, 460 Main, Walden, CO, 80430, United States
Join Colorado State University Extension for a FREE, hands-on workshop that will help you prepare and plan ahead to make drought impacts less severe on your operation.
✔ Learn from experts and leaders
✔ Gain strategies to manage your herd and resources

✔ Talk with other livestock producers
Topics include:
📋 Create a strategic drought plan
🦗 Anticipating insect impacts in drought
🏛️ Learn about tax implications of reducing your herd size

📍 Location: The River Rock Cafe
📅 Monday, April 13th, 2026
🕒 Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm
🍽️ Lunch provided
👥 One registration per person

Ranch Managers Guild: Grazing Systems in Practice
2026-04-14 12:00 - 13:00 | CO
This call will feature manager-led case studies on how grazing strategies are being applied and adapted to improve range health, forage utilization, and drought resilience. Managers will share the specific techniques they use and how their systems have evolved over time based on weather, monitoring, and operational goals.
Discussion will include rest and recovery, timing and intensity, drought response, and lessons learned from what’s worked (and what hasn’t).
Participation is reserved for active members of the Ranch Managers Guild. Not signed up yet? You can sign up here today.

April Buckin’ Babes: Chainsaws, Confidence & Community
2026-04-17 16:00 - 2026-04-19 16:00 | Redwing Ranch, Redwing Ranch, Gardner, CO, United States
Part of the Redwing Core Curriculum, Buckin’ Babes is a welcoming, all-inclusive weekend for women and gender-expansive participants eager to develop land-based skills. Over the course of the workshop, you’ll progress from saw basics to practical field work that connects technical skill with stewardship and fire resilience.
Day 1 focuses on safety, equipment setup, and foundational cutting techniques. Day 2 builds toward real-world application—pile burning, brush clearing, felling, and shaded-fuel-break projects on the ranch.
Participants will:

Understand chainsaw function, operation, and safety protocols

Practice cutting, limbing, and log-handling techniques

Learn sharpening, bar-oil, fuel-mix, and general maintenance routines

Gain an introduction to tree felling and on-site hazard assessment

Apply fuel-management principles: pile burning, defensible-space layout, and shaded-fuel-break design

Build lasting confidence through hands-on practice in real outdoor conditions

Who This Is For
This workshop is open to women and gender-marginalized individuals of all experience levels—no prior chainsaw background required. Come curious and ready to learn in a supportive, collaborative community.
Details
April 17–19
Redwing Ranch Gardner, CO
Tuition: Tiered pricing available
Check-in: Friday 4:30 PM | Wrap-up: Sunday 4 PM
What’s Included

Instruction from an all-women+ instructor team

Use of chainsaws, PPE, and tools

All meals Friday dinner → Sunday lunch

Two nights of lodging (or camping option)

Workshop materials and field resources

Cut with confidence. Care for the land. Join the crew.

When in Drought: Smart Irrigation and Soil Management
2026-04-21 08:00 - 14:00 | The Ranch Events Complex, 5280 Arena Cir, Loveland, CO, 80538, United States
Producers and small acreage landowners!
Learn practical strategies for managing drought through efficient irrigation management and soil health, helping conserve water, retain moisture, and maintain strong vegetable, crop, and forage production in dry conditions.
Agenda
Morning Panel Presentations: 8am-12pm
The Ranch Events Complex: 5280 Arena Cir, Loveland
This session will be provided in-person with coffee and breakfast provided ($15) or virtually via Zoom ($10).

8:00-8:30am: Breakfast and Check in
8:35-9:05am: Drought Planning
9:05-9:35am: Working with your local ditch company
9:35-10:15am: Best Soil Management Practices
10:15-10:25am: Break
10:25-11:20am: Irrigation Types, Timing and Scheduling
11:20am-12pm: Soil Moisture Probes

Afternoon Drip Irrigation Demonstration: 12-2pm
$10 | Flores Del Sol: 8101 S Timberline Rd, Fort Collins
After a lunch on the farm, observe multiple irrigation types at Flores Del Sol and see an
on-farm demonstration of how to set up a soil drip tape for maximum water efficiency.

12:00-1:00pm: Transit Time and Lunch
1:00-2:00pm: Drip Tape Irrigation

Register by April 14!

Agriculture Drought Management Workshop Strategies & Discussion about Managing Drought in Southwestern Colorado
2026-04-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Lewis Arriola Community Center, 21176 Rd S, Cortez, CO, 81321, United States
Join Colorado State University Extension, High Desert Conservation District, and the LOR Foundation for dinner, discussion on drought management and insights on water in southwest Colorado!
Irrigation and Cropping Strategies During Drought
Todd Ballard Agronomist, CSU Extension Tri-River Area
Regional Water Updates
Gerald Koppenhafer, Montezuma County Commissioner
Drought Management Discussion
Emily Lockard, CSU Extension Montezuma County

Range Rider Training: Grand Junction, CO
2026-04-27 08:00 - 17:00 | Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO, 81501, United States
We’ve designed this course format for individuals looking to enhance their skills and understanding of range riding and reducing wolf interactions. Livestock producers from Colorado, Montana, Oregon,
New Mexico, and Arizona will provide expertise and lessons learned. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect:
Topics

What is Range Riding? Best Practices
Rider perspectives from a Montana ranch
Communication and trust
Wolf biology and behavior
Rider tools and technology

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge!
View the full agenda here. Light snacks and water will be available. Several lunch venues are within walking distance.
Visit Wolf Info and Resources for more information.

NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program: Making It Work for Your Operation
2026-04-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Western Landowners Alliance is hosting an upcoming webinar on the USDA NRCS Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program and what it means for producers across the West. The webinar will provide an overview of NRCS’s new regenerative pilot effort, which is designed to support producers in adopting conservation practices that improve soil health, water quality, and overall working lands resilience. The program builds on existing NRCS tools and programs, such as conservation planning and financial assistance, to better support whole-farm, systems-based approaches to management.
Participants will hear directly from NRCS leadership, including Eric McTaggart, National Regenerative Pilot Coordinator, who brings extensive experience in conservation planning and program delivery, as well as Jackie Byam, Wyoming State Conservationist, and Andi Neugebauer-Bailey, Wyoming State Resource Conservationist. Together, they will share insights into how the pilot is being implemented, how it fits within existing NRCS programs, and what producers can expect when engaging with the effort.
The webinar will also feature producers with firsthand experience implementing conservation practices, offering practical, on-the-ground perspectives about what works, what challenges to expect, and how these practices can benefit agricultural operations in western landscapes.

Ranch Managers Guild: Wildfire Preparedness on Working Lands
2026-05-12 12:00 - 13:00 | CO
This call will feature manager-led case studies on how ranches are preparing for and responding to wildfire risk. Managers will share practical approaches to reducing fuel loads, building resilience into their operations, and planning for fire before it happens.
Examples may include targeted grazing to manage fine fuels, coordination with neighbors and agencies, and on-the-ground preparedness strategies for protecting infrastructure, livestock, and rangeland.
Participation is reserved for active members of the Ranch Managers Guild. Not signed up yet? You can sign up here today.

Western Range and Pasture Management
2026-05-13 - 2026-05-14 | Champions Club in the West Stadium Center, 1000 North 800 East, Logan, UT, United States
This exciting event is your opportunity to learn about western range and pasture management on your ranch. Join us at the Champions Club in the West Stadium Center for two days filled with insightful sessions and networking opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event will provide you with valuable knowledge and resources to take your enterprise to the next level. Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with industry experts and fellow enthusiasts!
Pre-Conference Workshop + $10 (includes lunch)

Principles of Managing Grazing
Stocking Rate Considerations and Harvest Efficiency
Using New Technology to Monitor and Manage Grazing on Rangelands

How to Use Range Analysis Platform (hands on demonstration)
Please bring your laptop or tablet for workshop

Conference Topics:

The Art of Grazing Management, Kicking the Hay Habit
Using Seeding to Improve Range Production
Nutritional Needs of Cattle: The Science of Grazing Rest, The Economics of Stocking Rate
Virtual Fence Options, Overview, and Use
Managing Your Grazing Permit: Being a Good Permittee
Poisonous Plants: What should I worry about and management strategies
Range Improvement Programs through NRCS

Western Ranch Management Academy
About the Academy
Utah State University Extension has joined with Intermountain Farmers Association (IFA) to establish an ongoing ranch management seminar series focused on the Intermountain West. The series will provide high-quality educational opportunities for ranchers and allied industry professionals.
WRMA seminars will each cover topics critical to the long-term success of ranching in the Intermountain West. Experts on specific topics will present material designed to provide the attendees with a working knowledge of the subject in an interactive setting. Ranchers will have the opportunity to network with subject-matter experts and other producers looking to improve their operations.
Ranchers and allied industry professionals will benefit from this deep dive into all facets of successful ranch management. To accommodate an intimate learning environment, class sizes will be limited.
For additional information go to:
https://qanr.usu.edu/wrma/

Field Day: Water, Conservation, and Drought Resiliency at Mountain Island Ranch
2026-05-13 09:00 - 15:00 | Mountain Island Ranch, Glade Park, CO, 81523, United States
This Field Tour is now full. Please check our online calendar for future field tours. Thank you!
Mountain Island Ranch is nestled in the red rock canyons and soaring mesas of the Dolores Triangle. It is one of the most inspiring examples of conservation on private land in western Colorado. However, despite decades of careful land management and large-scale restoration, the ranch faces an existential water crisis due to the ongoing mega-drought and aridification in the Colorado River basin.
Join WLA at Mountain Island Ranch to discuss the work Mary Conover and Kenyon Fields have done to improve the hydrologic function of the land by slowing water through nature-based projects that utilize natural processes. We will discuss the benefits of these projects, as well as their limitations, especially when the precipitation does not appear. In the worst year of drought in living memory, these projects are up against their limitations to be effective, and landowners, water managers, and policy makers are struggling to find solutions to these intractable problems. We will focus on how landowners such as Conover and Fields deal with these problems, what policy supports are needed for them to weather these historically difficult years, and what landowners across the Colorado River Basin are going to have to do to prepare for unforeseeable consequences of drought.

Grassland CRP Informational Webinar
2026-05-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Lease your land for habitat with Grassland CRP, enrollment open through May 29th.
The USDA has opened enrollment for the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (Grassland CRP), offering landowners an opportunity to receive annual payments for maintaining and improving working grasslands. Unlike traditional CRP, Grassland CRP functions more like a habitat lease. Producers can graze and hay while maintaining grassland habitat for wildlife. The program can help generate supplemental income while supporting both agricultural productivity and conservation, particularly for rangeland operations.
We’re hosting a webinar to walk through theprogram and how to apply, rental rates, and perspectives from agency staff and landowners who have experience in the program.

Impacts of Wildfire Smoke on Livestock & Grazing After Wildfire
2026-05-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Amy Skibiel, Ph.D., University of Idaho and Barton Stam, University of Wyoming Extension
Wildfire is part of Wyoming’s landscape and being prepared is part of our future. This multi-week webinar series explores a wide range of wildfire topics, offering practical knowledge, expert perspectives, and actionable steps to help communities better understand risk and stay resilient.

Confluence 2026
2026-05-19 - 2026-05-21 | Colorado State University, 950 W Plum St, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80521, United States
Confluence is the Western Collaborative Conservation Network’s (WCCN) biennial gathering that provides an unique space for learning and professional community-building within the collaborative conservation field.
For the complex, landscape-scale challenges that we face today, collaboration is essential for successful land stewardship, and the professional network and skills to do that work successfully are fostered over a lifetime.
To support those doing collaborative conservation through practice, research, and learning, the WCCN hosts Confluence, a multi-day gathering once every two years. Confluence is expressly focused on providing a place for collaborative conservation professionals, students, and emerging leaders to connect with one another and learn together about the best-practices, processes, and outcomes of collaborative conservation.
The 2026 theme:
The Future of Collaboration: The Power of Working Across Divides

Virtual Fence Workshop: Hosted by NRCS and Crook County Soil & Water Conservation District
2026-05-21 08:00 - 17:00 | Clover Building, 502 SE Lynn Blvd, Prineville, CO, 97754, United States
Join NRCS and Oregon’s Crook County Soil & Water Conservation District on Thursday, June 4 from 1-4 pm at the Clover Building (502 SE Lynn Blvd, Prineville, OR) to discover the future of ranching: virtual fence.
Hear from Gilliam County ranchers, agency partners (NRCS, BLM, Forest Service), and virtual fence technology providers.

Reduce the Ire from Wildfire: Best Practices to Reduce Risk to You and Your Home
2026-05-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Robb Sgroi, Land Resources Specialist, Teton County Conservation District
Wildfire is part of Wyoming’s landscape and being prepared is part of our future. This multi-week webinar series explores a wide range of wildfire topics, offering practical knowledge, expert perspectives, and actionable steps to help communities better understand risk and stay resilient.

Ranchers Face Another Dry Year: Live, Virtual Panel to Tackle High‑Stakes Drought Decisions
2026-05-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Good Grazing Make Cent$ is hosting a free virtual panel, “When in Drought (2.0) – Making Tough Decisions Count,” on May 27 at 7 p.m. (MST). The live discussion will stream on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, and will be driven largely by questions from ranchers tuning in.
The panel will focus on the real‑world drought decisions that directly affect ranch profitability and long‑term viability: how to protect rangeland health and grazing capacity under pressure, how unprecedented cattle markets should influence drought strategies, and how to keep a ranch operating when dry years stack up.
