Why the West Needs More Ranchers
Originally published in August, 2008, by Writers on the Range, a service of High Country News.
Excerpt:
"As the 21st century unfolds, it's becoming clear that we need more family farmers and ranchers on the land, not less. We need them not only for the healthy food they provide, but also for a lesson in how to live on the land.
"It's an ironic turn-of-events.
"For decades, livestock grazing in the arid West was attacked by environmentalists - vilified as an 'irredeemable' activity that had to be terminated on public lands, pronto. Environmental activists extolled the sins of cattle in the scientific literature, full-page advertisements in major newspapers, large, colorful coffee-table books, and countless articles and lectures. Some cited writer Edward Abbey, who famously described the Western range as 'cowburnt.'"
Why the West Needs More Ranchers pdf size: 0.14mb
Excerpt:
"As the 21st century unfolds, it's becoming clear that we need more family farmers and ranchers on the land, not less. We need them not only for the healthy food they provide, but also for a lesson in how to live on the land.
"It's an ironic turn-of-events.
"For decades, livestock grazing in the arid West was attacked by environmentalists - vilified as an 'irredeemable' activity that had to be terminated on public lands, pronto. Environmental activists extolled the sins of cattle in the scientific literature, full-page advertisements in major newspapers, large, colorful coffee-table books, and countless articles and lectures. Some cited writer Edward Abbey, who famously described the Western range as 'cowburnt.'"
Why the West Needs More Ranchers pdf size: 0.14mb