Resources for Ranchers

I often hear from folks who used to have a connection to ranching - either from a grandparent's family farm, or from an uncle who is involved in agriculture, or from a childhood spent in a rural community. Now, as young adults, people find themselves wanting to strengthen that connection, even if the family farm has been sold.

It can be hard to figure out what that means, and how to learn about what's involved in taking care of the land and animals that sustain us. Fortunately, we have a lot of great resources and organizations in our region that support farmers and ranchers and are a wealth of information. 

Here's the list of resources I share with folks who are interested in learning more about ranching. If you know of a good local resource for ranching that's not included here, please let me know and I'll add it to the list. And come join us and other ranchers on a field walk this summer. We look forward to meeting you!

Southwest Washington Grazing Association

This group is a great resource for anything related to grazing, especially conservation grazing. Many of our local ranchers are involved in the group, which receives support and resources from WSU Extension, Thurston Conservation District, NRCS, US Fish and Wildlife, Ecostudies Institute, and others. Connect with the Southwest Washington Grazing Association on Facebook. 

WSU Extension

WSU Extension is involved in just about everything ag in our region. They also put on the annual Southwest Washington Grazing School every spring, which is the best opportunity for learning about the science and methodology around intensive grazing, land management, and animal health.

Thurston Conservation District

The Thurston Conservation District has a number of programs that help beginning and established rancher, including South Sound Farm Link, which connects land owners and people who are interested in buying or leasing land for agriculture. They also  offer low-cost rentals of equipment, and host many great educational events. If you're located outside of Thurston County, find the conservation district in your area for similar programs. 

Natural Resources Conservation Service

NRCS is a part of USDA, and offers expertise and grant funding for agriculture-related conservation projects. Visit their site to find the NRCS office near you. 

Washington State Department of Agriculture

If you're interested in learning about how to sell the meat you raise, WSDA is where you want to start. Their Handbook For Small and Direct Marketing Farms is an excellent resource for everything you need to know about selling meat in Washington. 

Farm Bureau

Every county has a Farm Bureau organization that advocates for agriculture. This is the group to join if you want to meet other farmers and ranchers in your area. You don't have to live in the county to join a Farm Bureau organization. We belong to both the Thurston County Farm Bureau and the Lewis County Farm Bureau.