The Ranch
Elk River Livestock believes that agriculture and environmental management tools can work in unison to improve both the land and the cattle health. The ranch focuses on working with nature as the ultimate blueprint for decision making. This approach to land stewardship will not only maintain soil health, but in turn improve it substantially to allow regenerative growth. This will often require the use of electric fencing to create smaller pastures, and grazing hay meadows will create ideal landscapes to promote this.
This style of grazing management will focus primarily on working with Mother Nature, as Mother Nature would naturally. With cowboy traditions at the root, and using high-density grazing for short periods of time, we will promote growth, and grow more grass than ever before. This will allow for endless opportunities and give the land the rest and grazing that it needs.
The operation consists of custom grazing yearlings steers throughout the summer. Elk River Livestock is generally considered a grazing operation that focuses on land and cattle health. The purpose of grazing yearlings is to naturally promote soil health and add weight to the cattle.
Please note: This apprenticeship site is a little different from other sites in that the start date is later (May, as opposed to March or April). New Agrarian Program Orientation for this site will be near Boulder, CO and is 4-5 days long in early April 2025. Orientation is required, so an apprentice will need to organize their own transportation to/from that event before their apprenticeship begins. Funds may be available from the program to help with transportation expenses, but are not guaranteed.
This site is also different in that the apprentice may be involved in tasks that are not directly associated with livestock management, but are a part of what it looks like to be a first-generation rancher who is actively developing a grazing business. Please pay special attention to the “What Will An Apprentice Do?” section below and reach out to a program coordinator with any questions.
The Mentors
DAVEY Baron
Davey Baron got his start when working in the Elk River Valley in 2015. Since then, Davey has honed in on his key interests: horses, cattle and the land that sustains us. Clark, Colorado is an easy place to fall in love with, and that is just what happened. When roots were established in this valley, it was game over, and the desire to create an even more abundant environment was on. The cattle that graze this land are consuming only the best high-mountain grasses that allow them to thrive in this enriched environment and give them exceptional flavor. (Remember, you are what you eat). With adaptive grazing and holistic management practices, we hope to increase the beauty and production of this special property.
The Apprentice
What will an apprentice do?
An apprentice will work with Davey to learn the whole experience of ranching in the mountains of Colorado. The job will cover three of the four seasons:
-Spring: Hustle to get the fences up as quickly as possible. This will by far be the busiest portion of the season as it is crucial to get all the pastures ready for cattle coming in early June. The hours will be long but once fencing is mostly completed, that’s when we really start to have fun. The spring will also consist of building some new fences, cleaning irrigation ditches, getting horses rode, helping neighbors brand calves, begin irrigating meadows, etc.
-Summer: This portion of the job will mostly consist of moving cattle daily, doctoring cattle as needed, riding fence lines, general property management jobs (mowing lawns, etc). This is also a time for spraying weeds, trail maintenance, checking ditches, and various ranch projects. Plan on being horseback 2-5 days a week depending on what is happening.
-Fall: This will be a continuation of summer with the exception of gathering and shipping cattle. The yearlings will leave the ranch somewhere around the middle of September. This job requires gathering out of our high country pastures and returning them to irrigated hay meadows near the ranch. This is typically a lot of riding as it typically requires looking for stray cattle. Once cattle are shipped, this is an opportunity to get a lot of projects done on the ranch as well as helping neighboring ranches gather cattle. It will likely consist of riding, running equipment, spraying weeds, cleaning up deadfall in pastures, and prepping for winter.
*Although this job is mostly related to cattle and all things regenerative ranching, it is also an opportunity to learn a lot about everything and get an idea of the realities of being a first generation rancher, which might include tasks that aren’t always “ranching”. The ranch also has property management contracts that can be part of your every day duties. Although the animals always come first, the opportunity to learn general property maintenance skills tends to coincide with what we do here on the ranch. The tasks will include clearing and brush hogging horseback trails, mowing lawns, general house repair (carpentry, plumbing, electrical), stacking firewood, and various tasks related to maintenance.
What skills and traits are required in an apprentice?
- Willingness to learn
- Physical fitness as the job requires a lot of fencing, hiking, and general manual labor
- Horseback experience
- Ability to work long days occasionally
- Ability to work alone
- Taking direction and staying on task
- Curiosity and desire to learn
Skills that An Apprentice would expect to acquire:
- Low stress cattle handling
- Adaptive and regenerative grazing practices
- General cattle husbandry and doctoring animals (roping if comfortable)
- Proper fence maintenance
- General property maintenance
- Horsemanship skills & horseshoeing
- Land management skills
- Flood irrigation and ditch maintenance
- Learning the operation of selling beef direct to consumer
- Memories that will last a lifetime
Nuts & Bolts
Start Date: Ideal start date is May 1st. Apprentice can expect to end in late October.
Length of Apprenticeship: 6 months
Stipend: The apprentice will be paid $2400/month, with paychecks biweekly via direct deposit. Cost of housing will be deducted from the apprentice’s paycheck at $400/month, with utilities (power, gas, water, trash) included. Apprentice wages may or may not cover monthly expenses for the apprentice based on his or her needs and lifestyle. This position does not allow time for a second job, including side work or paid hobbies, so the apprentice should consider his or her budgetary needs before applying to this position.
General work hours: Livestock production seasonally requires attention 7 days a week. There will be certain times when the ranch apprentice will be “on call” 24/7. Sundays will generally be recognized as a day off and flexibility will be given for additional time off during business week. Some Saturdays will be given off through the course of the apprenticeship. In general, work weeks will be between 40 and 60 hours.
Housing: Housing provided will be at ranch headquarters. See photos below.
Laundry: Available at the general store approximately 1.5 miles down the road.
Internet availability: Internet is available at the headquarters for apprentice’s use or at The Clark Store.
Cell Service: Service is available most everywhere on the ranch. Verizon is the best provider for most of the ranch.
Time off: Saturday and Sunday will generally be given as off days. As described above, occasionally there will be tasks that can’t be put off for the weekend, or all hands on deck are needed. However we can try to make up that time off another day if the week allows. If you ever were to want a 3 day weekend for a trip away, we can definitely do our best to accommodate.
Visitors: Apprentice will be allowed to have visitors. However, try to plan it with your mentor just in case there are important ranch jobs going on that are not conducive to hosting time.
Food: Apprentice will be responsible for their own meals and should know how to reasonably cook. Some beef will be provided to you.
Pets: Dogs will be considered. The dog(s) will have to be able to get along with other dogs on the ranch and be well behaved. Any unnecessary chasing of cattle or wildlife will not be tolerated. Working dogs are preferred if well trained.
Horse Use: Horses are used frequently for moving cattle, checking and maintaining fence, doctoring cattle, checking water, etc. The ability to have basic horsemanship skills are required for the job, however, you do not need to be an advanced rider. The job will allow the opportunity to learn horsemanship along the way as long as you are capable and competent.
All the fun stuff: Tobacco is permitted on-site. Alcohol is permitted on-site only outside of working hours.
Guns: Firearms are welcome on the ranch if used and stored appropriately.
Health insurance: The ranching lifestyle has inherent dangers. While personal health insurance is not required to participate in the apprenticeship program, it is strongly encouraged. Baron Livestock, LLC carries Workman’s Compensation to cover injuries incurred on the job. But if the apprentice is injured on his or her day off, gets sick, or has or develops chronic conditions like allergies, these types of issues will not be covered by our Workman’s Compensation policy.
Ranch Vehicles: Apprentice will use ranch vehicles for work. Some vehicles are manuals (can teach). A valid driver’s license and clean driving record is required to operate road legal vehicles. Primary transportation on the ranch is accomplished using UTVs.
Personal Vehicle: A personal vehicle is highly recommended for apprentice independence on their time off but is not required for the apprenticeship.
Additional items an apprentice should bring: The housing will be reasonably furnished. Apprentices shall bring their own bedding (sheets/blankets/etc) and linens (bath towels, hand towels, kitchen towels, etc). We strongly encourage you to bring your own kitchen utensils and supplies; however, the very basics can be provided.
Living in Clark: The ranch is located 17 miles North of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The town of Clark offers a small general store with a deli, post office and internet access. Clark also has a few other restaurants/bars that are a great place to meet locals. The town has a small town charm that is hard to beat with incredible mountain views, abundant wildlife, and the Elk River that flows through the town. Clark consists of mostly agricultural operations as well as a destination for hiking, hunting, biking, fishing, and lakes to enjoy.
Quivira Coalition Activities: This apprenticeship is offered through Quivira Coalition’s New Agrarian Program. The full cohort of apprentices on regenerative ranches and farms across the west will attend an April orientation, participate in supplemental education Zoom calls, complete skills checklists with their mentors, and attend the annual REGENERATE Conference in November. Apprentices are also required to write several reports during their apprenticeship that will be posted in the New Agrarian Voices blog on the Quivira website.
