The Land Bulletin

What can ranchers in Colorado learn from herders in Mongolia, Spain, and beyond? According to Dr. Maria Fernandez-Gimenez, a retired professor of rangeland ecology and management at Colorado State University, it might be more than you think.  Maria joins Haley on our show this week to explore the relationship between scientific research, local ranching knowledge, and sustainable practices. 

Maria shares five keys to sustainable grazing and highlights similar challenges that ranching communities are experiencing across continents. We discuss why generations of firsthand experience on the land could be just as valuable as modern data on that land, and how the combination of local knowledge and science can lead to better land management, healthier rangelands, and a more sustainable future. 

Chapters

[0:00] Introduction: From Ranch Hand to Rangeland Researcher

[8:48] Five Keys to Sustainable Grazing

[17:28] Shared Challenges Across Ranching Communities

[21:28] The Value of Local Knowledge vs. Scientific Research

[26:19] Colorado Ranching, Conservation, and Lessons from the Land

Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us: 

Mirr Ranch Group

901 Acoma Street

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: (303) 623-4545

https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

When it comes to protecting America’s grasslands, the people who tend them are some of our strongest allies. This week, Alexis Bonogofsky, VP of the Great Plains Program at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), joins Haley to discuss the ecological importance of the Northern Great Plains and the unique role Western ranchers play in preserving this vital ecosystem.

With roughly 80% of the region’s grasslands privately owned, WWF is working directly with ranchers and local communities to support sustainable grazing, improve wildlife habitat, and keep working lands working. From innovative conservation practices like virtual fencing to promising efforts in beaver restoration, Alexis shares how ranchers are helping shape a more sustainable landscape and what lies ahead for the next generation of ranchers.

Chapters

[0:00] Introduction to Alexis Bonogofsky and World Wildlife Fund

[5:11] WWF's Great Plains Program

[10:28] Why the Northern Great Plains Matter

[12:30] The Importance of Private Landowners

[20:17] Supporting the Next Generation of Ranchers

[24:03] How to Get Involved in Grassland Conservation

Links

WWF Great Plains Program

America’s Grasslanders Coalition

Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us: 

Mirr Ranch Group

901 Acoma Street

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: (303) 623-4545

https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

What does it take to build a stronger future for Native agriculture? Dawn LeBeau, Senior Program Officer at Akiptan, joins Haley to discuss the organization’s work providing capital, education, and resources to Native agricultural producers across Indian Country.

From patient capital and land financing to youth programs, financial literacy, succession planning, and traditional stewardship practices, Dawn shares how Akiptan is helping producers build successful operations while strengthening their connections to land, community, and future generations.

Topics

[0:00] Intro: Why Akiptan Was Created

[4:01] Financing Challenges for Native Ranchers

[8:23] Investing in the Next Generation

[15:21] Balancing Traditional Knowledge and Innovation

[19:31] Akiptan’s Five-Year Vision

[24:10] Finding Hope in the Next Generation

[27:12] Resources for Producers and Landowners

Links

Akiptan

Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us: 

Mirr Ranch Group

901 Acoma Street

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: (303) 623-4545

https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

Content Warning: This episode discusses mental health, depression, and suicide, which may be difficult or uncomfortable for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.

“Pick yourself up by your bootstraps” epitomizes the toughness and grit we associate with agriculture. But what does the public not see about the mental and emotional toll of a job that seemingly never ends? This week, we’re having a long-overdue conversation with Laura Del Prete and McKayla Robinette about the unique stressors facing farmers and ranchers, why asking for help can be difficult, and how communities can better support their own.

Topics

[0:00] Content Warning

[0:34] Mental Health in Agriculture

[5:26] Building Mental Health Programs for Farmers

[10:44] Why Asking for Help Can Be Difficult

[15:27] The Stressors Facing Farmers and Ranchers

[22:05] Training Communities to Provide Support

[29:49] Making Mental Health Resources Sustainable

[33:08] Policy, Funding and Long-Term Support

[39:03] Finding Mental Health Resources

[42:32] Why Asking for Help Is a Sign of Strength

Links

NC Agromedicine Institute

Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Partnership

NC Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network South

Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us: 

Mirr Ranch Group

901 Acoma Street

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: (303) 623-4545

https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

Island Park, Idaho, sits just across the Idaho-Wyoming border, on the edge of Yellowstone, and offers a unique mix of forests, rivers, recreation, and more. This week, Chris Corroon is back on the pod to share Island Park's history, reputation, recreation, and ranching.

With abundant access to public lands and a rare opportunity to own land near Henry's Lake, Chris goes into what you can expect from Island Park, whether you're just passing through or seriously considering putting roots down. From world-class fly fishing and winter recreation to its quiet ranching communities, Island Park offers a different kind of Western experience that's worth getting to know.

Topics

[0:52] Getting to Know Island Park

[3:28] History of Island Park

[5:21] What to Expect in Island Park

[6:58] Island Park and the Surrounding Area

[8:28] Ranching in Island Park

[11:21] Mirr Properties in Island Park

[14:19] Fly Fishing in Island Park

[16:36] Who is Island Park For?

[18:18] Island Park Hidden Gems

[20:09] See You in Island Park!

Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us: 

Mirr Ranch Group

901 Acoma Street

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: (303) 623-4545

https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

What happens when you dedicate 20 years to following a river from its headwaters to the sea? For Peter McBride, it has meant gaining an eye-opening perspective on water, the West, and the people who work and live on Western lands. A filmmaker, author, and photographer who grew up on a Colorado ranch, Peter joins Haley to discuss the decades he’s spent documenting the Colorado River and the changing landscapes, communities, and ecosystems that depend on it.

Through the power of storytelling, Peter hopes to break through apathy and inspire greater stewardship of our water and Western lands. As irrigation ditches run dry and decades of footage reveal an alarming trend in the Colorado River Delta, it’s more important than ever to document these changes and bring greater awareness to drought, conservation, and the collaboration needed to protect the West’s most vital resource.

Topics

[00:06] Peter McBride: a Career and Passion for the West

[06:19] Following the Colorado River From Source to Sea

[11:19] Watching Western Rivers Run Dry

[15:21] The Power of Showing Instead of Telling

[19:52] What Happens When Communities Work Together

[25:55] How Everyone Can Become Part of the Solution

[31:22] Learning From the People Who Know the Land

[36:33] Finding “Earned Hope” in Restoration

[41:28] Inside Witness to Water

[48:24] Keeping Water in the River for the Next Generation

Links

About Peter

Witness to the Water by Peter McBride

Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us: 

Mirr Ranch Group

901 Acoma Street

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: (303) 623-4545

https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

Conservation tools play an important role in protecting private land, but who benefits from them? Economist and University of Wisconsin professor Dominic “Nick” Parker joins the show to explore conservation easements, transferable tax credits, and new opportunities to keep working lands in the hands of the people who live and work on them. From leveling the playing field for ranchers to addressing misconceptions around easements, this conversation takes an optimistic look at the future of private land conservation.

Topics

[0:00] Introduction: Nick Parker’s background in economics and conservation

[3:17] What is a conservation easement?

[7:07] Who benefits most from traditional conservation incentives?

[12:06] Which states offer transferable conservation credits?

[21:28] How incentives can support working ranches and farms

[28:00] Misconceptions, bad actors, and safeguards

[33:21] What's next for private land conservation?

Links

Trading Green

Parker, Dominic and Helm, Annalise and Shost, Garrett, Trading Green: Do Tax Credit Markets Improve Land Conservation? (February 24, 2026). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=6302660 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6302660

Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us: 

Mirr Ranch Group

901 Acoma Street

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: (303) 623-4545

https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

Evergreen, Colorado offers a rare combination of mountain living, outdoor adventure, and proximity to Denver, so this week on the Back 40, we're heading just up the road with Broker Harry Woodward to check out what makes this Front Range community so special.

With a rich history in ranching and mining, and trails for hiking, biking, and skiing, Evergreen offers a mountain lifestyle without a remote commitment. Properties in Evergreen are steeped in history and extremely rare, and conservation efforts help keep the wild and untamed beauty of this mountain community open and unique.  If mountain life with city convenience appeals to you, come and check out Evergreen. 

Topics

[0:00] Getting to Know Evergreen, CO

[1:47] What Makes Evergreen Unique?

[2:51] History of Evergreen, CO

[4:19] Personality of Evergreen, CO

[5:04] Recreation in Evergreen, CO

[5:55] Who Lives in Evergreen?

[7:02] Ranching in Evergreen, CO

[9:03] Mirr Properties in Evergreen, CO

[11:14] Why Evergreen?

[12:24] Evergreen's Hidden Gems

Links

Downtown Evergreen

Evergreen Chamber of Commerce

Upper Bear Headwaters Ranch

Evans Ridge Ranch

Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us: 

Mirr Ranch Group

901 Acoma Street

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: (303) 623-4545

https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

For 30 years, Casting for Recovery has supported women with breast cancer through the healing power of nature and fly fishing. This week, we revisit one of our favorite partners as Haley sits down with Stacey Benham, Director of Marketing and Communications, to discuss the organization's mission and an exciting new initiative that uses storytelling to connect with women who may need support.

Casting for Recovery provides life-changing experiences on the water, and now, through the Jane Project—the story of a drift boat created to honor women and their journeys—that mission is reaching an even wider audience. Haley and Stacey discuss how the Jane Project is helping raise awareness, why women continue to shape the future of fly fishing, and how community, nature, and time on the water can be powerful tools for healing.

To learn more about Casting for Recovery, watch the Jane Project film, volunteer, donate, or apply for a retreat, visit castingforrecovery.org.

Topics

[0:00] A re-introduction to Casting for Recovery

[5:45] Introducing the Jane Project

[10:26] Women supporting women in fly fishing

[13:13] The healing power of water

[17:38] Early impact of the Jane Project

[19:17] How to get involved with Casting for Recovery

[22:19] Closing thoughts and what's next

Links

Casting for Recovery

The Jane Project

Volunteer

Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us: 

Mirr Ranch Group

901 Acoma Street

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: (303) 623-4545

https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

Women have always been involved in ranching, but now more than ever, they are taking on leadership roles and shaping the future. This week, we’re joined by the Executive Director of Women in Ranching, Amber Smith, to discuss how the organization is helping women build skills, find community, and navigate the unique challenges of Ag life. 

Topics

[0:00] Introduction

[0:57] Women in Ranching: How it got started

[8:19] Building a nationwide community

[16:06] The skills women want to learn

[21:54] Creative ways the next generation is working the land

[25:44] Success stories from the community

[28:15] The future of rural leadership

[35:35] Grants, community, and what comes next

[40:02] Why every woman has a role in the future of ranching

Links 

Women in Ranching

Need professional help finding, buying or selling a legacy ranch, contact us: 

Mirr Ranch Group

901 Acoma Street

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: (303) 623-4545

https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/