Final Reflections

November 2022

These months spent with Leo, Darla, Chris, and Deb on the Barthelmess Ranch have meant so much to me. The community I have found in Malta, the surrounding area, and through the Quivira program have been amazing. I have made lifelong friends and memories. Throughout this apprenticeship, I have learned how to run a business better, do technical ranch work, and more about myself and my goals. 

Every morning, as we arrive at Chris’s house, we all sit around the kitchen table to discuss the day, week, and future plans. I always learn from the time spent at this table, whether it’s before we start the day or at lunch. Leo and Chris have exposed me to their many conversations about finances and other business decisions as well as new information about livestock, wildlife, and plants that I never knew before. I have an interest in learning more about finances and the business side of ranching. They allowed me the opportunity to go to the Ranching for Profit training held in Malta. I gained a better understanding of how to cut costs and do the math as to whether a ranch is profitable or not. My mentors often refer to the Ranching for Profit school when we work on different projects. This allows me insight into what a rancher must think about for the benefit of his business. Leo has taught me how meaningful building strong relationships is to a business. Leo is the president of the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance in Malta and has allowed me to attend meetings and meet many influential people. I have sat in on a few zoom meetings and phone calls with people with whom the Barthelmess ranch works. I have been included in the GAP audit and Leo’s and the ranch’s video interviews with multiple organizations. Leo has expressed how meaningful these various connections are and how beneficial it is to keep a good relationship with others for the future.

Throughout these few months, I have been exposed to many things needed in ranching. I learned how to weld using a wire and stick welder and feel confident with other tools and machinery. I have learned about combining grass seed and sunflowers in addition to the issues that come with it, like a plugged-up auger, but also how to fix said auger and get the combine back to working condition. I learned how to build sturdy fence braces and wire gates that I can be proud to open as I go through them. I understand more about electric fences and how to repair them. This apprenticeship has shown me the benefits of proper grazing, how to begin, and how to work with the community to grow regenerative practices. I learned about the Vence collar system and how farmers and ranchers can use them for intensive grazing. I saw the benefits of better-gazing practices and learned to see the vast differences across the fence line. This summer, Leo and I examined the range transects on the ranch and calculated the different plant species that grow. Since we traveled the ranch in a side-by-side, I also learned how to change the oil on vehicles. I learned how to use large machinery on the ranch and can now move hay using the grapple forks and know the ins and out of swathing and baling hay. I used the scraper implement on the tractor to pick up and haul dirt and the skid steer to repair different areas affected by water runoff. 

I have gained more knowledge about how to properly handle livestock from my mentors, Whit Hibbard, and all his knowledge from Bud Williams. I learned how a Bud Box operates and the mechanics behind reading a cow and controlling her movements. We use Bud’s methods anytime while handling livestock, and I got to practice using them while working with the new hair sheep. I have improved at reading animals body language and have grown in my horsemanship skills as well. Chris has shown me some of his vast knowledge about a horse and has assisted me with roping so I can do better at future brandings. One of my favorite experiences was branding season in the Content community. I met so many great people and love the immense family feeling that surrounds the area. 

As the youngest apprentice in the group, it was nice to find such an inviting community. I moved out of my home for the first time, away from everyone I knew, but found a family in Montana. I have met many great people within Quivira. The conversations we have when we come together at different Quivira functions provide many great discussions, ideas, and opinions. It feels great to know that all of us are there to learn and grow within ourselves. My confidence has grown in many ways, and I now feel more comfortable trying new things. I feel now that I can be proud of myself for what I can do and admit that there are still numerous things for me to learn and try. I have seen how valuable it is to have a forever-learning mindset from my mentors and the legends within regenerative agriculture that I have had the benefit of meeting. I am incredibly excited to use this mindset in my next steps. I can now work on ranches that before I was not qualified for. Although I still do not know as much as I hope to, I look forward to learning more about agriculture in my next endeavors. I plan to relay the regenerative practices I have learned about and show the benefits to the farming and ranching community back home. I want to become more interactive with the different organizations in my area and help the public see how beneficial agriculture is to the land when you work with it instead of against it. 

The many great stories that I did not get to include all mean so much to me. I have been incredibly blessed with the people I have met and grown so fond of, as well as the new experiences I have had. This Quivira apprenticeship has been so beneficial to my life, and I will forever be grateful for this opportunity.

REFLECTIONS AFTER THE FIRST MONTH

May 2022

I grew up on a farm and ranch in southeast New Mexico, which has immersed me in the agricultural industry throughout my life. I was in both 4-H and FFA in school and raised and showed many species of animals.  I have helped on the family farm and ranch since I was little helping to gather, brand, and vaccinate cattle, and rake and bale hay.  I have always enjoyed working with cattle and other livestock and messing with horses, but I felt that I hadn’t received enough hands-on experience in the ranching management aspect. Nor do I have much experience with electric fencing, machinery, or mechanics. 

I love to see and learn new things as well as go to new places.  I became very excited to find and get this opportunity to learn these things in a new state and learn how other operations handle their cattle. Through this experience, I hope to learn as much as I can about the agricultural industry and its operation. I want to learn the economics of the industry and the financial aspects of different operations. I hope to learn more about machinery, welding, and fencing to assist in these areas when I return home. I want to learn more about soil health, land management, and the conservation of different wildlife species. Regenerative practices intrigue me, and I hope to bring more of them home with me. Overall I hope to grow as a woman in agriculture and learn more about myself and my interests through this experience.

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