Stewarding the Plains: Soil Restoration on Generational Ranches - Jul 2026

📅 11 July 2026 | 📍 Long Arroyo Land and Cattle Company, 13890 US Highway 83, Perryton, 79070, United States

Join us near Perryton, TX for an in-field workshop exploring how bale grazing, biochar, compost additions, and intensive grazing can exemplify the Long Arroyo Land and Cattle Company’s motto of “stewardship from the soil up.” Participants will tour active restoration sites and learn about in-field monitoring methods to assess changes. The hosts will also discuss practical management strategies, including diversifying from cow-calf to adding a stocker herd, adding no-till pasture wheat when rainfall allows, and managing introduced monoculture grass differently than native range land. Dr. Eva Stricker will facilitate discussion around how to build and measure soil organic material in rangelands. The workshop will highlight how Laura Burandt, the next generation of land steward at Long Arroyo, is balancing tradition with innovation to sustain ranching livelihoods, improve forage production, and restore ecological function where the Llano Estacado rises up to meet the Southern Great Plains.

This workshop will be a time to network and learn from each other, whether you’re an experienced rancher interested in learning about bale grazing in the area, a student just starting out, or a technical professional interested in exploring approaches for monitoring soil health. Contact Eva at eva@quiviracoalition with any questions.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number NR227442XXXXG005. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition, any reference to specific brands or types of products or services does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for those products or services.

Laura Burandt was born and raised ranching and always had an interest in the business as well as a passion for the industry from a young age. After finishing a degree in Agriculture Communication and Animal Science from West Texas A&M University obtained a Masters Certificate in Ranch Management from Texas Christian University. She manages the cattle company portion of the business and is active in grazing peer groups, extension classes, and have made many friends and acquaintances throughout the industry to keep in touch with.

Eva Stricker is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico Department of Biology and a part-time Evaluator for the Santa Fe-based regenerative agriculture non-profit the Quivira Coalition. Dr. Stricker received her PhD from UNM Biology. She has expertise in plant-soil interactions and biogeochemistry in drylands, use of organic waste as a management tool for restoring degraded dry rangelands, and inquiry-based, equity-focused education for adult learners.