New Agrarian Program Addresses Generational Shift and Regenerative Practices in Western Ranching
The New Agrarian Program (NAP), founded by Julie Sullivan and George Witten in partnership with the Quivira Coalition, is actively training a new generation of ranchers in the American West. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between conservation and agriculture, focusing on regenerative practices. American ranching faces significant challenges, including low profit margins (1-2%), rising costs, partisan politics, drought, and an aging rancher population, with the average age pushing 60. Many current ranchers' children are not interested in continuing the family business due to the demanding lifestyle and financial struggles. The NAP provides an apprenticeship model, placing aspiring ranchers, often without agricultural backgrounds, with mentor ranches across states like New Mexico, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Texas, Montana, Idaho, and Colorado. These apprentices learn holistic, sustainable ranching methods, including rotational grazing and prioritizing soil health, to ensure the long-term viability of working... 
