2nd National Extension Nat Res Conference-Abstract 45

Tim Steffens, Colorado State University, P.O. Box 190, Rocky Ford, CO 81067; 719.254.7608; tsteffen@coop.ext.colostate.edu; Robbie Baird-LeValley, Courthouse Annex 295 W. 6th Delta, CO 81416-1626; and Roy Roath, 200-C Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523-1478

Colorado State University Cooperative Extension personnel developed 3 different educational programs to increase adoption of grazing management programs that improve resources, monitor the effects of management decisions on the resource, and improve producer/agency cooperation. Each program was designed independently, but with consultation among developers and clientele. Each developed simple, but comprehensive, principle-based approaches that help participants to design and implement for themselves grazing management programs that promote more timely management decisions that meet their needs and those of the range resource.

Each educational program was tailored to meet clientele needs and offered in different formats to increase participation. Producers on the eastern plains operate predominately on privately owned land. Primary concerns are increasing carrying capacity, livestock performance, and profit. These issues are also important to western slope producers who primarily use public lands as their forage base, where wildlife and recreation must be added to the management plan.

The first school was developed to give ranchers a quick, simple way to monitor range that would help them make timely grazing management decisions. It relies heavily on ranchers having a good idea about what is possible, what they want, and some idea about how to get there, which the other 2 schools provide. The west-slope range management school evolved into a 2-day format that provides basic information, followed at a later date with a 2-day advanced school and field days for those wanting more in-depth knowledge on grazing management principles. The school on the eastern plains is generally presented in weekly installments over several months and teaches skills that help ranchers develop individual grazing plans to fit their goals. Though developed independently, these programs share many basic topics. Instructors often ask each other for advice, materials, or help teaching.

These schools have been directly responsible for improved grazing management on over 350,000 acres of private land and over 8 million acres of public land in the state, significantly improving soil, water, forage, and wildlife habitat resources. They have also improved relations among private operators and federal resource management agencies and promoted innovative approaches to land management, often at the request of the producer.

These programs are continuously revised and are well received by producers. A ?graduate school? in the West addressed managing range with increasing wildlife use and provided more detailed range management information. Another school for environmental and wildlife group members based on the eastern school is also planned. An ?alumni association? helps graduates expand their knowledge, provides a support group to help them achieve goals, and troubleshoot problems.