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Training the Next Generation on Real-World Ranches
Ranch Boot Camp blends practical training with deep connection to people, place, and purpose. WINNETT, MT – What does it mean to be “ranch ready”?

Training the Next Generation on Real-World Ranches
Ranch Boot Camp blends practical training with deep connection to people, place, and purpose. WINNETT, MT – What does it mean to be “ranch ready”?

Building Trust, Growing Impact: Shaun McCabe Receives RSA’s 2025 Gold Star Award
McCabe’s work exemplifies what happens when conservation is rooted in community. MALTA, MT – The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is proud to announce Shaun McCabe,

July 1 Ranch Tour to Spotlight Peer-to-Peer Learning
Featuring the Murdock and Hammond ranches, this tour offers a chance to learn from the land and the people who know it best. Malta, Montana

Ranchers Stewardship Alliance to Receive Gift of Historic Webb Ranch Homestead
The property will serve as a space to cultivate new ranchers while emphasizing mentorship, community involvement, and stewardship of working lands. Malta, Montana — One

Save the Date: North Phillips County Ranch Tour Set for June 16
Explore working lands, share ideas, and build connections at the Hammond and Murdock Ranches. The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance invites you to join us for a

Conni French Continues Steadfast Leadership of Ranchers Stewardship Alliance
Taking the reins in January, French is carrying forward RSA’s mission while advancing a grassbank opportunity and navigating funding challenges. Malta, MT — The Ranchers

They Think They’re Just Ranching
In the vast grasslands of the Northern Great Plains, ranchers have long been the silent stewards of some of America’s most fragile ecosystems. These are

Water Weary Rancher Resourcefulness
How community and the internet set one rancher’s capacity to create ablaze. Birds chirp in no-man’s land. A tall red barn, weathered paint but no


RSA Receives National BLM Award
The following is a press release from the Bureau of Land Management: WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently announced the winners of

Next Year Country
If walls could talk, the pistachio green surface of Sally Austin’s kitchen would instantaneously have you settled in over a cup of steaming Folgers. A

Tradition, Trial, and Targeted Implementation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QPfYuvcj2A Beneath wispy clouds set in a blindingly blue sky where Montana and Saskatchewan become indistinguishable from one another sits the Louie Petrie Ranch, an

Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Honors Jacquelyn (Jacquie) Evans with 2024 Gold Star Award
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is proud to announce Jacquelyn (Jacquie) Evans as the recipient of the 2024 Gold Star Award. Evans, the Science Integration

Becoming the Beaver
How one rancher’s unconventional approach is bringing water back to an arid landscape. The sweet peas are popping up in north Phillips County, enjoying the

Nonprofits Collaborate for Agricultural Grassbank Campus
Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA), a rancher-founded nonprofit based in Malta, MT, and Winnett ACES, a grassroots-led nonprofit in central Montana are jointly announcing a partnership


Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Launches ‘Giving Tuesday’ Campaign
Feeling tapped after Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday? We understand! For this reason, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is thrilled to announce our

Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, Montana NRCS Announce Major Partnership
Nonprofit Receives $875,000 Award and Adds Staff Position for Geospatial Coordinator Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is proud to announce a significant partnership with the Natural

Ranchers Benefit from Fencing Projects with Ranchers Stewardship Alliance
There’s been entire books written on the history of fencing in the West. The evolution of barbed wire, the impact fences had on the landscapes,

Mike Borgreen, Glasgow BLM, Receives RSA “Gold Star Award”
The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is proud to announce that Mike Borgreen, a dedicated biologist and current Acting Field Manager from the Glasgow Bureau of

A Deep Dive into the Carbon Markets
With increased trading of carbon credits in the “Ecosystem Marketplace,” ranchers throughout the countryside are questioning the risks and rewards associated with entering a carbon

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

New Waterline Ensures Cattle Stay on the Land and Land Stays Intact
Grass is to cattle as water is to conservation. Ironically, that analogy could be shuffled in any order and still carry the same meaning. To

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

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,

Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Unveils Rural Resilience Lineup
Growing our ranching and rural community’s financial, ecological, and social resilience with experienced speakers on soil carbon, cattle selection, small ruminant grazing, and rangeland monitoring,

Valuable Validation: Rangeland Analysis Platform Offers Ranchers Decision Support
https://youtu.be/zsdPq83BPjU Ranchers who carefully monitor and manage the range can often describe the changes they have seen over the course of several years. However, on a

2021 RSA Annual Report
While 2021 was a year full of challenges and trials, it was also a year where we saw the intersection of “ranching, conservation, and communities” truly create “a winning team.”

Three Small Tanks with a Large Impact
If there is a water line to add, a tank to set, or a unique water set up to try, it’s likely Dusty Emond has

RSA Launches Inaugural Membership Drive
When Ranchers Stewardship Alliance formed in 2003, we started with the desire to keep grasslands along the Northern Great Plains intact and its agricultural producers

RSA Receives National Recognition
An amazing and unexpected honor, RSA was recently awarded the “Outstanding Partner Award” from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.

Three States and Two Countries!
Held the final week of September, our “Banking on your Business” workshop featuring Ranching for Profit’s Dallas Mount brought in folks near and far. Check out

Landowner, Sportsmen Join in Fencing Effort
We’ve heard it time and time again: good fences make good neighbors. But when it’s your community that’s teaming up to pound those posts and
2021 Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Annual Report
While 2021 was a year full of challenges and trials, it was also a year where we saw the intersection of “ranching, conservation, and communities”
2021 Impact Report
Hi friends, We’re so grateful that you’ve been a part of this Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Community over the past year. Together, we’ve made progress in
Join the Winning Team: Executive Assistant position now open!
This position has been filled! Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Executive Assistant Ranchers Stewardship Alliance is a fast-growing, rancher-led organization based in Malta, Montana. We exist
Join the Winning Team: Communication & Outreach Leader position now open!
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS NOW CLOSED, June 8, 2022 This position has been filled Ranchers Stewardship Alliance: Communications & Outreach Leader Ranchers Stewardship Alliance is a fast-growing,
Preserving agricultural land, legacies in North-Central Montana
Internationally known speaker brings tools to navigate transitions and transfers for farm and ranch families to Malta and Glasgow events in March FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Volunteer fence maintenance a win-win for landowners, big game
By Martin Townsend, RSA Lands Coordinator This summer, an effort between conservation organizations and Blaine County ranchers at the Louie Petrie Ranch north of
2020 Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Annual Report
In the midst of severe drought, we’re constantly reminded of the power of deep roots. The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance has been working to solve problems
Soil Health Tour with Nicole Masters ahead
Internationally recognized agroecologist, author and teacher Nicole Masters will facilitate five in-person soil health workshops across North-Central Montana this summer. “In the midst of a
NextGen Fencing: The Future of Pasture Management
Montana rancher shares lessons learned with virtual cow collar technology in free May 18 webinar. By Laura Nelson, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance He never thought he’d
February 9, 2021 Ranchers Stewardship Alliance meeting agenda
5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021 Ranchers’ Stewardship Alliance February 2021 Meeting Agenda Download the full meeting packet with zoom call-in info here, or email
Improving productivity, diversity in old crested wheatgrass stands
In our inaugural Rural Resilience webinar Jan. 19, Dr. Dave Naugle shared key tools and ideas around the scientific basis for investing in grazing communities
2020 Regional Director’s Partnership Award
The Regional Director’s Partnership Award recognizes either individuals or organizations that have contributed significantly to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mountain-Prairie Region’s priorities over
2020 Landscape Stewardship Award
The following citation was presented to the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance by Public Lands Foundation Montana representative Richard Hopkin. While the citation was issued Sept. 18,
Bring landowner voices to Dec. 1 Private Lands/Public Wildlife meeting
In 2018, Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke issued Secretarial Order 3362 to improve habitat quality and big game winter range and migration corridors for
Ranch Stewards November 2020 Meeting Agenda
We’re looking forward to having you join us at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 via Zoom for our November Ranchers Stewardship Alliance meeting. The meeting information
One Montana’s Master Hunter Program accepting applications
One Montana’s Master Hunter Program is accepting applications October 1, 2020 – November 30, 2020 for the 2021 classes. The program includes classroom and online
Building a herd and hope
Beginning rancher revitalizes retired CRP to grow her herd and wildlife habitat By Laura C. Nelson, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance The old homestead still stands sentinel
Master hunters volunteer for a day of ranch work
The hunter’s perspective, from the One Montana August newsletter: In the words of one volunteer, Pippin Wallace, “The French’s gave me a deep appreciation for
HIRING! RSA office administrator
Ranching, Conservation, Communities – A winning team! Would you like to be a part of the team? Ranchers Stewardship Alliance is hiring a part-time office
Ranchers Stewardship Alliance August Meeting Agenda
We’re looking forward to having you join us at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11 via Zoom for our monthly Ranchers Stewardship Alliance meeting. The meeting information
Meet our Partners: Martin Townsend, Conservation Committee Coordinator
Martin Townsend serves as the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Conservation Committee Coordinator. Ranchers Stewardship Alliance leaders formed its Conservation Committee in 2017 in order to gather
July Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Meeting
We’re looking forward to having you join us at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 14 at the Malta Business Center or via Zoom for our monthly
June 2020 Ranchers Stewardship Alliance meeting summary
When we gather together, we learn, share, plan and grow. Thanks to all who joined our June 9 meeting! Here’s a brief summary of our
June Ranchers Stewardship Alliance meeting
June 2020 Meeting Agenda 5 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2020 Malta Business Center (in person) or Zoom call-in Connect with VIDEO: Join Zoom Meeting:
Students and Stewards: A Story of Collaboration
Students from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, University of Wyoming, Sheridan Community College, and Texas A&M University-Kingsville found themselves this past summer traversing
Always Improving
Ede Breitmeier runs a complicated operation. With multiple herds paired with certain prime bulls, there are a lot of moving parts that make this registered
Ranches Saving Imperiled Songbirds
Laura Nowlin of the Winnett ACES organization wrote a great article on how working ranching ranches are saving imperiled songbirds. Click on the link to
NFWF Big Game Grant Awarded
Date: May 3, 2019 Contact: [email protected] Secretary Bernhardt Announces $10.7 Million in Public-Private Support for Big Game Migration Corridors Partnership between DOI, NFWF, and ConocoPhillips benefits elk,
Expand on Your Ranching for Profit Knowledge
Dave Pratt will be coming to Malta June 6-7, 2019 for another Ranching for Profit workshop. Click on the links below for Dave’s biography and
Cattle Helping with Carbon Sequestration
How cattle can help with carbon sequestration! Learn more here. https://www.beefresearch.org/sustainability/q04/index.html?fbclid=IwAR2fqn-gTRkhJZA_tyveDlyncJe0XEGk6UpTeTho74ZxbpuK2kOnYYAnilk
Welcome Casey Coulter
We are pleased to welcome Casey Coulter to the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Board. Casey and his wife, Lacey, were featured in an NRCS conservation video
Rural American – We are Here! by Laura Nowlin
The Prairie Populist has a great article written by Laura Nowlin. Laura is a board member of the Winnett ACES (Agricultural Community Enhancement and
Ranchers Stewardship Alliance: Keeping Ranching a Family Affair by the Prairie Populist
Here is a great article written by the Prairie Populist’s Andy Creel highlighting that “group after group are working on community-level solutions”. It also highlights
Grassland Restoration Projects
Ranchers Stewardship Alliance is excited to report the impact of our new habitat restoration projects in Phillips, Blaine and Valley Counties. To date, we have
To move or not to move
We are reposting a blog made by our upcoming ranching for profit workshop instructor, Dave Pratt. The original can be seen at http://blog.ranchmanagement.com/to-move-or-not-to-move/ Be sure to
Smart Debt
Just a reminder that RSA is holding a series of workshops on June 23rd, featuring Dave Pratt. Check out our events page for more information.
Announcing a ranching for profit workshop coming June 23rd
We are reposting a blog made by our upcoming ranching for profit workshop instructor, Dave Pratt. The original can be seen here: http://blog.ranchmanagement.com/measuring-production-efficiency/ Dave will be
Volunteers flock to the Barthelmess sheep shearing!
Hello! My name is Casey Gallagher, and I am a 2nd term Big Sky Watershed Corps (BSWC) member serving for the Milk River Watershed Alliance
New Opportunity Offers Security for Ranchers and Prairie Birds
The Nature Conservancy has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on an innovative and voluntary program that contributes toward the conservation of
Personal Waterhole
Who said animals are not smart? This bull was tired of waiting for me to cut the ice in the reservoir waterhole. He created his
Growing Up Country
Hello & Merry Christmas! My name is Conni French – part of the French family Taylor has talked about – and oddly enough, I
From Farm to Prairie
Hi everyone! My name is Marisa Sather and I’m a biologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish & Wildlife (PFW) Program.
Just when you think you have seen it all!
Good day from the Barthelmess Ranch. Hi! My name is Leo Barthelmess. I’m going to talk about what a challenging summer the ranch and
Animal Health, Food Safety, and Sustainability
On a ranching operation, animal health is integral to sustainability. Although this may seem like stating the obvious, the consequence of mistrusted animal health is
Low-Stress Cattle Handling at the French Ranch
It is officially the first day of autumn! Since my last entry, areas of the United States have been coping with hurricanes, while in drought-stricken
Jim Gerrish Workshop
Ranchers Stewardship Alliance held a Sustainable Ranch Management workshop featuring Jim Gerrish of American Grazing Lands Services on September 19th. It was well attended and
Greetings from the French Ranch
Greetings from the French ranch! My name is Taylor French; I live and work with my husband, Wayne, on the ranch that his grandparents built
Walsh Ranch Cattle Moves, Water, & Remnants of the Past
2017 has brought new challenges with the drought. Many ranchers have it much worse than we do. We were fortunate enough last year to receive
Grant Award from NFWF
Ranchers Stewardship Alliance receives Grant Award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation LOCATION (June 26, 2017) – Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, Inc. (RSA) has been
Howdy from the Walsh Ranch
Howdy from the Walsh Ranch. We are a cow/calf operation on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. My husband is 1/8 Gros Ventre. He has lived
June a busy month at Barthelmess Ranch
What a busy month, I had every intention of writing this blog shortly after the Barthelmess Ranch grazing tour. It has been 2 weeks since
Hello from the Barthelmess Ranch
Good day everyone my name is Leo Barthelmess and because I drew the short straw, I will be producing the June blog for the Ranchers
Great Falls High Freshman learn about Farm and Ranch Conservation.
Twenty-nine Great Falls High School Freshman accompanied by teachers, administrators, school board members and Foundation Board members recently toured South Phillips County. Last year the
Jacobs Ranch signing off
A typical April will find us regularly monitoring the cows that are calving, watching for birthing problems, and especially if the weather is cold we
Wildlife Wednesday
It is always exciting to see the number and variety of wildlife and birds that call our neighborhood home. As ranchers, we see it as
Another Foto Friday at Jacobs Ranch
We are very lucky to live and work in “Big Sky Country” I am reminded of that every day when I look out the window.
Our 4 legged household
Our household would not be complete without our 4 legged family. Hubby and I don’t have any human children, but the antics of our pets
Foto Friday at Jacobs Ranch
Yes we are still calving. Thought you would enjoy some “baby” pics. Although we are a Black Angus beef cow operation we do have one
Welcome to the Jacobs Ranch
Hello all, my name is Perri Jacobs and I am the Vice President of RSA. I will be guest blogging for the month of April
Sheep Shearing
I spent some time last week helping shear sheep at my dad’s place. No sheep were harmed in this process. Sometimes they will be nicked
Organic Farming with the Merrimans
March is finally here and things are picking up on our operation. My husband and I own and operate an organic grain farm 15 miles
Welcome to the RSA Website
Welcome to the updated RSA website. My husband and I ranch in South Phillips County, Montana. My husband’s family came to this part of Montana
Five Common Misconceptions
Today let’s discuss five common misconceptions in regards to production agriculture and the farmers and ranchers that produce our food. It has been said here
Economic Impact of Ranching
According to the U.S. Census Bureau the estimated population of Phillips County Montana in 2015 was 4,169. The county has a total area of 5,212
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