The Ranch
The Livingston Ranch & Livingston Farms is located North of Stratton, Colorado. We are a family owned and operated set of enterprises.
We strive for both excellence and sustainability in managing our herds, our land, and our natural resources to provide reliable products year after year.
Mike and Julie were born and raised in Eastern Colorado, where an interest in agriculture began at an early age for each. Mike and Julie were married in 1984, shortly after Julie graduated high school. Neither Mike nor Julie attended college, but instead together set the goal to own and operate a self-sufficient farm and ranch. They combined their cattle herds, which totaled 17 Simmental cows, and rented 480 acres of grass from a relative. While working diligently towards their goal to grow the operation they also raised a family, daughter Kari and son Justin.
The last 40 years together has brought several trials and tribulations, but the goal to build a sustainable operation has been steadfast. Mike and Julie have expanded their herd of 17 to over 1,000 cows that are pastured on approximately 20,000 owned and leased acres.
The farming side of the operation has had many variations over the years. When Justin was young, Mike was farming 22 irrigated circles, many of which were hay fields. By 2012 the farm was just over 1,000 acres of dryland that was primarily planted to feed for the cows, and wheat.
In 2013 Justin returned from college and began taking over the farming operation. In 2015 Justin began a custom application business to diversify the farm and create an independent income source.
Currently the farm is 9,800 acres of dryland growing corn, milo & wheat. We run all late model equipment and strive for efficiency in all that we do.
Please Note: This operation is hiring for two separate positions: one on the farm growing grains and the other on the ranch with the cattle. The apprentices have the choice to live in shared or independent housing, and will not work much together during the day, but the hope is that the apprentices will support each other considering that this is a fairly remote location.
Regenerative Practices
On the ranch side: cows are checked daily and the pasture conditions and grazing pressure is carefully monitored. The ranch uses an intense large-herd rotational grazing system. The goal is to keep the animals on fresh forage and clean water while leaving sufficient residual feed. Pasture rotation and resting occurs to ensure plants mature to seed production.
On the farm side: Utilizing technology and soil sampling all fertility and seed programs are variable rated and high efficiency products are applied. We are primarily no-till, however some instances of traditional tillage are implemented when it’s deemed best practice for the weed control.
The Mentors
Mike & Julie
Mike and Julie have been living and learning from the land for the last 40 + years and have an extensive knowledge base. They have learned from others and real life experience about cattle, grass, our local ecosystem, and sustainability in the modern world.
The Apprentice
What will an apprentice do?
Ranch apprentice: The ranch apprentice will work with Julie and Mike to experience the Spring, Summer, and Fall activities of this high-plains ranch. This year we are looking for an individual that has an aspiration to learn and assist. Our apprentice will be predominantly responsible for assisting in the herding, care, and well being of our cows. Overall duties will include calving, daily water checks, rotational grazing movements, monitoring for predator activity and loss, and fixing fences, and participating in the Artificial insemination project in July.. Additionally, the apprentice will be needed to help with cattle and haying activities, including calving, branding, pre-conditioning, weaning, moving, shipping, etc.
Farm apprentice: The farm apprentice will work with Justin and Mike to experience the Spring, Summer, and Fall activities of this progressive farm. This year we are looking for an individual that has an aspiration to learn and assist. Our apprentice will be predominantly responsible for assisting in the planting season, moving equipment, general equipment maintenance, crop checks, assisting with summer fallow needs, assisting with harvest.
What skills and traits are required in an apprentice?
- Observant
- Curious by nature and willing to ask questions and learn about our system
- Positive attitude when longer/later work days come up
- Good working in a team
- Physically comfortable carrying heavy things, and moving throughout the day
- Helpful if comfortable or experienced riding horses (if applying for ranching position)
- Helpful if comfortable or experienced driving heavy machinery (if applying for farming position)
- Willing to work Independently.
- Ability to process and resolve a situation on their own
- Handle multiple task requests … i.e. do A, B, C & D…not just A and D
- A strong commitment to agriculture
Skills that An Apprentice would expect to acquire:
- Ranch position:
- Safe use of equipment on the ranch, including trucks, trailers, atv/utv’s, and tractors.
- The care and feeding of cattle
- Fencing basics on permanent fences and building temporary electric fences
- How to assess the pasture for condition and quality to help determine when to move livestock
- How to handle and work cattle (cow/calf and yearlings). Our livestock are worked using the best means available at the time including being on foot, vehicle (pickup or UTV), or horseback
- Experience and exposure with animal husbandry practices such as calving, branding, artificial insemination, vaccinating, doctoring (in field and using facilities), etc.
- The skill to observe, communicate and discuss what was observed.
- Farm position
- Safe use of equipment on the farm, including trucks, trailers, atv/utv’s, and tractors.
- Learning a full crop cycle and all that goes into each crop.
- How to maintain equipment
- How to utilize available technology in farming
- How to assess when a crop is stressing or thriving and what to do about each situation.
- The skill to observe, communicate and discuss what was observed.
Nuts & Bolts
Attention applicants! Please state clearly in your application if you would like to apply for the ranch position, farm position, or either.
Start Date: Ideal start date is April; calving heifers will begin about April 1st. Spring crop planting will begin in May.
The ideal end date is November 15th; weather highly dictates fall activities; we generally should have our calves shipped or weaned by the 15th of November. We have some flexibility around start and end dates and encourage individuals with alternate schedules to apply.
Length of Apprenticeship: 8-9 months.
Stipend: The apprentice will receive an hourly rate of $18.00 paid bi-monthly. In addition to the hourly pay, the apprentice will receive housing and utilities (electric and propane) paid by the ranch.
The stipend 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 and grain production seasonally requires attention 7 days a week. There will be certain times when either 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: Currently, there are several furnished ranch houses available, depending on the needs and preferences of the apprentice.
Laundry: Available within the base housing.
Internet availability: Internet is available at the headquarters for apprentice’s use. If an apprentice would like wifi in their housing, we can work on getting that set up.
Cell Service: Service is marginal in places. AT&T is the best provider for most of the ranch.
Time off: Saturday afternoon 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. There are instances when ranch meals will be provided, like when working cattle.
Pets: Pets will be considered on an individual basis; Generally, dogs will be allowed in reasonable numbers. However, we do not allow dogs to participate when working with any cattle. We can discuss personal horses that can be used for ranch work.
All the fun stuff: Tobacco and alcohol use are permitted on site. However, smoking is not allowed in the houses and is strongly discouraged while working.
Guns: Firearms are welcome on the ranch if used and stored responsibly. We appreciate consideration to the age of Justin & Kyla’s child and their friends. Generally, a rifle is within quick access for predator or varmint control. Parts of the ranch are leased, and the landlords prefer that we do not hunt some animals.
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. Mike & Julie Livingston 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. 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.
Living in Stratton:
- The ranch is located 12 miles North of Stratton, Colorado that offers your basic needs such as a post office, grocery store, and a couple of restaurants. The smaller town of Kirk, is only 9 miles away and has a local ag cooperative, grocery store, post office & food truck. A majority of ranch supplies are procured from Burlington, which is 30 miles to our Southeast.
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 provided in partnership with Holistic Management International, and attend the annual Quivira Conference, hosted with Holistic Management International and the American Grassfed Association, in November. Apprentices are also required to write several reports during their apprenticeship; these reports will go through the NAP Coordinator at Quivira, and be posted on the Quivira website.