A Deep Dive into the Carbon Markets

Succession Stories Events Rescheduled for March 13, 14

UPDATE: The following depicts updated information for an event that was previously planned for February but has been moved to March. If you purchased tickets and/or sent in an RSVP for the February event, those have been tracked and will be honored. If you’d previously paid but are now unable to attend, we’re happy to issue a refund. Simply call the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance office at (406) 654-1405 or email [email protected]
It’s emotional. It’s financial. It’s pivotal. And it often gets put on the back burner. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that family-owned farms and ranches account for 97% of the 2.1 million total in the U.S. Yet only 30% of these survive into the second generation. Only 12% are still operating by the third.
What’s more, some 69% of the family farms surveyed expected ownership to continue into the next generation, but only 23% had a plan. Where is the disconnect? Reluctance to get into hard conversations, uncertainty about what professionals to bring into the mix, worries about fairness, and old-fashioned procrastination are among the list of possibilities.
To help our region’s farm and ranch families break through the noise of estate planning, Perennial Roots, a program of Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and Winnett ACES, and cohost Petroleum County Conservation District will soon be showcasing the firsthand stories of three Montana ranch families. Each will discuss the motivations, trials, and victories in establishing their estate plan:
Mannix Family – Helmville, Montana
A diversified and multigenerational operation, the Mannix family is continuing the 140-year tradition of the Mannix Brothers Ranch. There are plenty of cooks in this 50,000-acre kitchen. Decisions go back to the ranch’s board of directors, which includes brothers of the fourth generation, David, Randy, and Brent, their wives Peggy, Mo, and Stacey, and three representatives of the fifth generation, Neil, Bryan, and Logan.
Lee Family – Judith Gap, Montana
Bob Lee and late wife Kathy started their diversified cattle and grain operation in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains in 1969. The duo raised three successful children, one of which has now brought his family home to the operation. The ranch has been recognized for its approach to managing its natural resources and is well-known for the tours it offers to groups from across the state, nation, and globe.
Hammond Family – Malta, Montana
Howie Hammond is a first-generation producer on property that he and his wife, JoAnn, bought in 1979. The pair enjoys having their three daughters and their families living in Phillips County. Daughter Andrea and husband, Wyatt Lien, have committed to help run the operation. All-in-all, they run a cow/calf operation on roughly 37,000 acres with a portion seeded to small grains. Howie’s commitment to succession planning was inspired by conversations with Nebraska producers in jeopardy of losing their land in the late 80s. The Hammond’s ever-evolving succession plan became a top priority after a medical diagnosis for Howie in late 2014.
The two in-person events will feature presentations from each of the ranches along with evening meals and plenty of time for discussion. Both are stand-alone gatherings. While attendees are more than welcome to attend both, the content will be very similar in each location.
The focus on Monday, March 13 is Malta with the program running from 5-8:30 p.m. at the Tin Cup. Winnett’s Petroleum County Community Center will play host on Tuesday, March 14. Also running from 5-8:30, childcare will be offered.
More information and tickets for each night are available at RanchStewards.org/events. You can also preregister by calling the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Office at (406) 654-1405 or Haylie Shipp at (406) 853-0483.
Perennial Roots, a program of Ranchers Stewardship Alliance and Winnett ACES, aims to make succession planning resources more available to the agricultural producers we serve, ultimately helping to keep working lands operational and local ranches contributing to their communities economically, socially, and ecologically.
Photo courtesy of the DNRC Rangeland Resource Program.
New Waterline Ensures Cattle Stay on the Land and Land Stays Intact

What You Really Need to Know About Carbon Markets

In the ranching community, it’s no surprise that the same range cows are grazing is also sequestering carbon. What may come as a surprise to some is that the unseen act of carbon sequestration on today’s ranches could be a potential source of revenue. As carbon markets surface in more and more recent industrywide conversations, some ranchers are cautiously venturing into the space. However, a greater number of ranchers are likely consumed by a list of questions when they hear of the new concept.
“How much is a carbon credit worth?”
“Does entering a carbon market contract impact my ranch management decisions?”
“How is carbon stored and how are payments calculated?”
“Could this be a worthwhile revenue stream for my ranch?”
Good Grazing Makes Cent$ and the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance have teamed up to answer some of these questions during their event “What You Really Need to Know About the Carbon Market.” The two panel discussion will take place at the 76th Annual Society for Range Management Meeting in Boise, Idaho on February 15, 2023, and will be live streamed via Facebook and YouTube as well.
The first panel will consist of several ranchers currently partaking in carbon markets or focusing on carbon sequestering strategies, as well as experts in soil science, research, law and land valuation. This panel will discuss many of the common questions ranchers may have about carbon markets, namely their application on the ground and important considerations prior to entering a contract. The second panel will host carbon market aggregator representatives who will explain their programs and field questions from the audience, both in person and online.
By first exploring carbon markets from ecological, economical, legal, and logistical angles, participants can weigh the pros and cons of this new opportunity. Learning from the experiences of other ranchers who participate in the carbon market will help those interested better understand both the potential implications and possible opportunities before making a well-informed decision for their operation.
Carbon market aggregators will then be on hand to further explain how contracts work, what is expected of the rancher, and how carbon credits may add to the bottom dollar. As the carbon market is a relatively new concept in the ranching industry there are many different contract designs, so a variety of aggregators on the second panel will ensure multiple options are explored and questions can be thoroughly answered.
Both panels will feature short introductions, but the focus of the presentations is to answer ranchers’ questions about carbon markets, so the format will be interactive for both in-person attendees and online viewers. This aligns with the overall goal of Good Grazing Makes Cent$, a program of the Society for Range Management, which aims to provide practical, applicable, and economically feasible range management solutions to improve productivity of the land and the bottom dollar of the ranch. The event is cohosted by the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach.
To learn more about the event, participate online, or register to attend in person, visit goodgrazing.org/carbonmarkets.
RSA Board Member’s Conservation Featured by MSU

A publication of Montana State University, the MSU Collegian recently featured Tyrel Obrecht, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance board member, and his father Sam. A two-for-one effort, both Obrechts are MSU Alumni.
The story highlights the innovative management strategies the duo is implementing on their Turner, Montana ranch and how those conservation methods can help aid carbon sequestration.
Among those practices, the Obrechts have latched onto rotational grazing, increased soil and wildlife monitoring, and signed on with a carbon offset company with the potential to add 10-20% to the ranch’s bottom line.
Curious as to what they’re up to? CLICK HERE to read the full story on pages 38-39.
Photo by Hannah Bicknell for MSU Collegian.
Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Unveils Rural Resilience Lineup

Valuable Validation: Rangeland Analysis Platform Offers Ranchers Decision Support

Three Small Tanks with a Large Impact

RSA Launches Inaugural Membership Drive

RSA Receives National Recognition
