January // February February 2006 2006
Number Number 105 105
New Direction for Holistic Management International
www.holisticmanagement.org www.holisticmanagement.org
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Shannon Horst & Ron Chapman
T
he upcoming year, 2006, brings many positive changes to the Savory Center, including the decision to change our name to Holistic Management International, more accurately reflecting the breadth and scope of our worldwide operations. This name change comes not only with the blessing of the Board, but also with the support of Founders, Allan and Jody, who remain actively engaged in a variety of projects throughout the world. With the name change comes a new logo, reflected in the flag and masthead of this edition of IN PRACTICE, and a new tagline, “Healthy Land. Healthy Profits.” We have developed these approaches as a result of our new 3-year strategic plan, designed to enhance Holistic Management International’s current activity and provide a tightly focused plan for future growth. This plan is the result of extensive discussions with a number of stakeholders, all of whom concur with the bold directions described below. It is also important to note we have assembled talented and experienced management comprised of long-time as well as new staff. Similarly, we have undertaken an aggressive board development campaign to increase our governance and leadership capacity. These actions bring real depth to our efforts at Holistic Management International, which when combined with our healthy financial position, lay the foundation for a period of consistent, steady growth.
Market-Driven Focus We are shifting to a clear market-driven focus, with a priority on assessing and ranking, then meeting the needs of our primary constituencies. To do this, we are using the plan and our holistic goal to guide our actions, and we are building a strong, consistent market message. We are in the process of clarifying and strengthening our relationships with Certified Educators and others. And, we are developing a variety of new
educational products and services to meet the needs of our markets, both in the U.S. and internationally. A primary goal of our work, of course, is to facilitate a healthy, productive, profitable resource base as a fundamental contribution to a robust economy, both in the U.S. and internationally, hence the theme line, “Healthy Land. Healthy Profits.” Our strategies for accomplishing this goal over the next three years include:
Year 1 • Identify and prioritize target markets to include: commercial family farms and ranches in all regions; “new wealth” buying into agriculture; agencies who work with and regulate farmers / ranchers; NonGovernmental Organizations, pastoralists, and communal landholders; private land-holding companies; donors; Certified Educators; and like-minded strategic partners. • Re-vamp services, products, and materials as needed in line with a market/needs-based approach. Create new “retail” level products. Implement organizational changes to support that focus. Beta-test new products. • Restructure delivery systems for getting retail (practitioner) and wholesale (Certified Educators) level training to the market. • Redesign and improve Certification and Certification renewal process for being qualified to teach. • Recreate focused market message and the “tools” (website, brochures) to support the effort. • Enhance the role of our learning sites in providing support to the educational, public relations, and research efforts. • Maintain existing revenue streams. • Grow our philanthropic base and secure transitional funding. continued on page 2
Abbey Kingdon found she had to leave home to find home. Read her story of learning how Holistic Management has given her hope and a way to help create positive change in the world on page six. She learned a lot from her travels in Africa from ranchers like Judy Richardson, pictured here with Abbey.
FEATURE STORIES New Directions for Holistic Management International
............1
Shannon Horst & Ron Chapman
Enhancing Food Security in Zimbabwe – An Africa Centre Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Jody Butterfield
What’s The Problem? – Japanese Stilt Grass in Central Appalachia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Fred Hays
After Africa – Finding Home Again
.....6
Abbey Kingdon
LAND & LIVESTOCK Same Path, New Horizons – Del Cerro at The Howell Ranch . . . . . . . . .7 Jim Howell
Paddock Monitoring – Are We On Track? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Mark Gardner with David Marsh
NEWS & NETWORK An African Journey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 The Grapevine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Certified Educators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
New Direction Year 2
Holistic Management International is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting resource management that restores land to health and operations to profitability. As the worldwide pioneer of Holistic Management, we’ve worked successfully with ranchers, farmers, pastoral communities and other entities since 1984. FOUNDERS Allan Savory
h
Jody Butterfield
STAFF Shannon Horst, Executive Director Peter Holter, Senior Director of Marketing and Product Development Bob Borgeson, Director of Finance, Accounting and Administration Jutta von Gontard, Director of Development Kelly (Pasztor) White, Director of Educational Services Constance Neely, International Training Programs Director
• Deploy and implement full array of retail and wholesale level training programs. • Maintain healthy programs. • Consolidate and trim those programs not in keeping with our holistic goal, mission, and plan, and any that are marginal performers. • Continue to grow philanthropic base and replace transitional funding with fee-based income.
Year 3 • Monitor, measure, and assess the Return on Investment of this effort. • Update product development efforts and review and re-assess market needs. • Maintain lean organization tightly focused on results. Over the last six months, we have worked very hard to bring this plan together. Key elements
continued from page 1 and the direction of this plan have been tested, and presented to the Board of Directors, which has been enthusiastic in its support. At the operational level, driving the plan will be a management team adhering to the principles of Focus; Consolidation; Action; Sustained Implementation; Monitoring; and Measurement. We look forward to this exciting next chapter in the growth of Holistic Management International, and, of course, always encourage your comments, questions, and suggestions.
Shannon Horst, Executive Director
Ron Chapman, Chairman of the Board
Ann Adams, Managing Editor, IN PRACTICE and Director of Publications and Outreach Maryann West, Executive Assistant
Summary of Strategic Plan
Donna Torrez, Administrative Assistant
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ron Chapman, Chair Ben Bartlett, Vice-Chair Jody Butterfield, Secretary Sue Probart, Treasurer Gail Hammack Brian Marshall Jim McMullan Jim Parker Ian Mitchell Innes Dennis Wobeser Terry Word
ADVISORY COUNCIL Jim Shelton, Chair, Vinita, OK Robert Anderson, Corrales, NM Michael Bowman,Wray, CO Sam Brown, Austin, TX Lee Dueringer, Scottsdale, AZ Gretel Ehrlich, Gaviota, CA Cynthia & Leo Harris, Albuquerque, NM Clint Josey, Dallas, TX Doug McDaniel, Lostine, OR Guillermo Osuna, Coahuila, Mexico Jim Parker, Montrose, CO York Schueller, El Segundo, CA Africa Centre for Holistic Management Private Bag 5950, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Tel: (263) (11) 404 979; email: hmatanga@mweb.co.zw Huggins Matanga, Director HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT IN PRACTICE (ISSN: 1098-8157) is published six times a year by Holistic Management International, 1010 Tijeras NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, 505/842-5252, fax: 505/843-7900; email: hmi@holisticmanagement.org.; website: www.holisticmanagement.org Copyright © 2006.
2
IN PRACTICE
h
Who we are – A lean, market-focused enterprise engaged in a social entrepreneur model, with unique products, services, and processes specifically designed and developed for well-defined target markets, where wants and needs have been demonstrated and quantified. Who we sell to and serve – Very specific, well-defined target segments that have been identified, ranked and prioritized, both by economic potential and social need. Our first best targets are in those niches where we have demonstrated expertise, and significant competitive advantage. What we provide – A variety of products, services, and processes designed to deliver significant measurable economic, social and environmental benefits via technical mastery, accessibility, and ease of use in targeted market segments. Our offerings are consolidated into “wholesale” and “retail” product lines – prioritized and organized for efficient deployment of Holistic Management International resources (time, money, personnel) by market demand, economic potential, and social need. Ultimately, products will be clustered and managed by product-line (or service-line) managers. How we sell – A tightly focused, but independent, organization operating on a “hub” strategy of communication and sales, with tiered levels of engagement with the independent entities. How we administer and manage – Utilizing technology wherever possible, Holistic Management International’s goal is to run lean, cross training and consolidating functions and capabilities wherever possible. We will orient to a market-focus and, then, operate with speed and precision in the comprehensive development and deployment of programs. We will keep plans simple and flexible. We will establish a clear core identity and mission and action plan each year, so that everyone feels they are performing a critical aspect of the job, for the same enterprise. How we fund/finance – Our financial strategy comes from social entrepreneurship, developing a fair economic return while delivering social value in a targeted market environment. We thrive through diversified, balanced income (philanthropy and fee-based).
January / February 2 0 0 6
Enhancing Food Security in Zimbabwe– An Africa Centre Update by Jody Butterfield
S
ince June 2005, Holistic Management International and the Africa Centre for Holistic Management have collaborated on one of our biggest projects to date – funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Our efforts to enhance food security in Zimbabwe is a challenging feat, particularly given the current economic challenges in Zimbabwe. But we are making good progress and have learned some valuable lessons along the way, which we can share with development agencies seeking to initiate similar projects.
Goats As Currency Banking
headmen and chiefs present: to put all their animals in a single herd; to build a lion-proof kraal (corral) to house the herd at night; to determine how they would pay for maintenance of their water point; to provide up to 10 herders for training and two people to monitor the herders once herding began. In October, the first 20 trainee-herders spent a week on Dimbangombe (the Africa Centre’s learning site) where they could see a large, mixed herd being moved every day by our own herders, talk to our herdsmen, and practice with them. The trainees were astonished at how quiet the Dimbangombe herd was, both while out grazing and in the kraal, and learned themselves how to achieve the same thing in their communities through low-stress handling techniques. Water development in two of the communities
The key with our Goats-As-Currency village banks is requiring each of three pilot communities – Monde, Sianyanga, and Ndajiili / Masikili – to make a series of commitments (mentioned below) before they are eligible for receiving goats. As we were going to press, the two banks in the Monde community had moved forward well and were mid-way through their six-week bank training period. Several former bank members from surrounding villages had joined this group and will be grazing their goats in the Monde herd. A third bank had been established in the Sianyanga community, which was a little behind Monde in terms of training, but not in enthusiasm. In phase two, with bank training to begin in January and bank launch in March, we have Africa Center staff members, Elias Ncube (standing) and Sunny Moyo (seated, with video camera) planned two additional banks (one more in facilitating a training session in a school room at Sianyanga and one in Ndajiila/Masikili), Monde. Some training sessions are videotaped to bringing the total to five for this pilot project. monitor participation by women in the discussions. We purchased the bank goats with the help of program partner Heifer International / will be fairly straight forward. We are using grant Zimbabwe. As we were going to press, the goats funds to provide troughs and piping, with the were running with the Dimbangombe herd, communities providing the labor. The Sianyanga getting used to the idea of running in one community, however, offers a big challenge. Its multi-species herd, before going out to their boreholes (wells) are few and at the best of them communities. We are loaning 10 goats to each the women can only pump three buckets before family. Fewer goats would not give these the hole is dry. families enough of a headstart in becoming Only when the boreholes become strong food-secure; more goats, and the goat owners enough in a couple of years, as a result of the would be considered wealthy, which could grazing management, will we be able to develop present problems. a major watering facility.
Land Restoration through Planned Grazing
Gender Empowerment
A total of five communities were considered for this pilot project. To make the final cut, and to be eligible for a village bank, each community had to make a series of commitments, with their
All three communities have actively participated in several training sessions on gender empowerment and HIV stigmatization. Some of the early findings are fascinating. Men, for
instance, quite often responded yes to the question, “condoms will protect my family.” Women often responded, “no” saying that if men have access to condoms they will use them with prostitutes. In all three communities, we found that people were fairly comfortable talking about HIV/AIDS, particularly so in Monde. But the remaining three training modules (and the followup sessions in bank meetings) will be critical to reinforcing what they’ve learned about distinguishing fact from myth, and becoming even more comfortable discussing the issue so they more readily seek diagnosis and treatment. We have already started to see some movement toward gender empowerment. Each of the communities included women when selecting their herders. In the case of Sianyanga and Ndajiila/Masikili, women were among the first to volunteer, and were readily accepted by the men. This came as a surprise to the Africa Centre staff since women traditionally do not herd stock. The total number of “beneficiaries” for this project is 600 families (3,660 individuals).
Preliminary Lessons Learned One of the first lessons we’ve learned is how important it is to start small and to plan on at least six months for familiarization and training. And in our case, that means six months prior to the rainy season. For example, we began working with the Monde community in April 2005 and that three-month head start made a world of difference in terms of community commitment. We’ve also learned that it is best to include a mix of entrepreneurs and vulnerable people among the bank families. In the Monde community we have found those somewhat better off have been generous with their time in helping those who can less help themselves, and it has resulted in a sense of community empowerment and solidarity that has enhanced all areas of this project. Lastly, the commitment of formal and informal leaders is critical and should be confirmed before going to the “followers.” We did attempt to do this with two workshops devoted to leader familiarization for the five communities under consideration as pilot communities. We will continue to update our readers on this project as we have new results and learnings to share. N u m b e r 10 5
h IN PRACTICE
3
What’s The Problem?– Japanese Stilt Grass in Central Appalachia by Fred Hays
T
he premise behind the Holistic Management® diagnostic process is to systematically look at how humans have used available tools to consciously or unconsciously create a natural resource problem. There are only six tools available that humans can use to affect change of ecosystem processes. The specific tools are fire, rest, grazing, animal impact, technology, and living organisms. During the past few years, there has been increasing discussion and alarm raised by many people about organisms they view as a problem or a threat. Often, these organisms are labeled as an “invader.” With the Holistic Management® framework and practice, we find that the presence of undesired organisms or weeds are seldom, if ever, the problem itself but are, instead, symptoms of something more seriously amiss in ecosystem functioning.
without orienting some research, primarily monitoring, and test plots to determine answers to basic diagnostic questions. The result is the following structured diagnosis for Japanese Stilt Grass. It should be noted that the initial monitoring included West Virginia University Extension, Conservation Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel, but that no government funding was used to conduct this
the brittleness scale, which means that there is fairly consistent moisture and, therefore, ongoing biological activity much of the year which affects how management practices affect the environment. I then looked at the next question: Which ecosystem process is most appropriate to focus on to reason out what is happening to bring on the Stilt Grass? Community dynamics is the most appropriate area because we have a
Invasion of the Stilt Grass In our region, there has been much concern about Japanese Stilt Grass as an “invader.” As a result, I began to monitor what is happening in association with this plant two years ago. Japanese Stilt Grass is viewed as a problem in grasslands and forestlands alike. This alone suggests that the complexity of the issue may be greater than problems in any one kind of environment. Forest practitioners and livestock farmers alike express problems with this plant “taking over” their operations. A cursory review of the problem indicates that Stilt Grass quickly establishes itself on timber haul roads and other disturbed areas within a forest. The same is true on grasslands, but in grassland it is restricted to areas, which have higher moisture. This is somewhat true in the forest also, but to a lesser extent. Because Stilt Grass creates a dense monoculture in forest edges and is accused of crowding out many plants that are desirable, and because it establishes in grasslands the same way and is not palatable to livestock, the stated problem would be that it places a limitation on the use of the land. This creates a sustainability issue for any enterprise, which may be involved in one’s holistic goal or otherwise. For this reason, I have taken on the issue of diagnosing the problem and seeking healthy solutions. This problem could not be properly diagnosed 4
IN PRACTICE
h
Both of these pictures are of the same area but from different angles. The picture above shows more stilt grass than perennial grasses along with a lot of other weeds. study. The motivation for this endeavor has been purely to address a problem associated with one organism – both to find solutions and to demonstrate the process of diagnosing such problems from a holistic perspective.
A Structured Approach Using the structured Holistic Management® Diagnosis mode, I started with the first question: Is the probable cause of this problem human or naturally caused? Has any natural disaster occurred that could have contributed to the problem? On many sites in the region, an ice storm destroyed much of the upper tree canopy of forests three years ago. However, this has not been the case in most parts of the region. The cause is most likely human perhaps exacerbated by natural forces in some areas. I then determined that this area is a 2-4 on
January / February 2 0 0 6
problem with a species explosion (stilt grass) that is simplifying the normal tendency for biodiversity. By focusing on this window into the ecosystem, we are forced to look at how various organisms have become linked and how other processes might be at work in a way that is allowing the stilt grass to flourish. In other words, what are we doing to contribute to this problem? After I determined the ecosystem process to focus on, I had to determine what appropriate biological principles would help me get to the route of the problem. Because I had identified community dynamics as the ecosystem process to look at, I thought I would likely need to look at the biology of species at play in this situation. When I considered how the various tools available to humans to manage the environment had affected community dynamics in this neck of the woods, I realized that on
grasslands, overgrazing and permanent partial rest will result in compaction, capping, more weed species, more woody species, erosion, and poor water cycling, which will affect community dynamics dramatically. However, these practices occurred forty years ago and rest has provided recovery in all areas except those recently disturbed by technology. Technology in the forest has impacted all ecosystem processes. Tree removal has changed soil quality. Water diversion has permanently changed water cycling. This region had few species of grasses growing naturally at the time of original settlement. Over the years, farmers have planted various species of grasses for livestock. Utility companies have habitually planted various types of grasses on disturbed sites, with a tendency to seek out species that would thrive on such sites to provide quick cover of the impaired soil surface. These grasses have seriously altered the community dynamics of the area beyond just changing from forestland to grassland. Chemical herbicides have been used at some locations to
to be the first areas engulfed by Stilt Grass, the deer seem to have no other role in Stilt Grass progression, except from a symptomatic point as they carry the seeds on their hoofs and work them into the soil as they go. In taking in all these factors it becomes clear the root cause of the presence of Stilt Grass as a problem stems from the unintended consequences of planting cool weather grasses in the past. Plants such as Deer Tongue and Wild Pea could eventually establish on the types of sites where fescues were used as a cover for disturbances. In forested areas, there is a long list of plants that would normally re-establish after the return of medium to heavy shade.
An Unfair Advantage When dealing with a problem organism, it is crucial to address the weakest point in the life cycle of that organism. In looking at the weak link in the life cycle of the Stilt Grass, I observed it can only grow during the warmest months of the year, but must have adequate moisture to
This picture is taken a little more than a year later and farther into summer. There are more perennials in the mix and there is a shift away from a domination of stilt grass due to animal impact. manage timber stands. This practice results in the weakening of soil structure, which leads to biodiversity loss. In looking through the lens of community dynamics, we recognize that humans have been using various species of grasses for various purposes on these sites for a long time. We also know that community dynamics ties into all other ecosystem processes. Technology use has played a large role in managing and using the forest. The energy flow has had strong disturbance from trees being removed in the forest. While paths and roads used by deer seem
survive. The reproductive nature of the plant is strong with a seed bank of many years. Therefore, weeding and any form of eradication beyond hand weeding critical crop areas will be a futile use of resources. Sites with the greatest amount of Stilt Grass are sites in grasslands that have plenty of moisture and the presence of cool weather grasses, primarily fescues. Farmers have planted fescues as a livestock forage for cold weather grazing. In this particular area, fescues have been used by oil companies and pipeline companies as plantings on disturbed areas
because they can tolerate poor soils and will cover quickly. Fescues primarily need good moisture levels like Stilt Grass. In looking at the weak point of fescue grasses, we find that they do not tolerate hot weather well and will become dormant. If the fescues are dormant, they do not use water and nutrients and, therefore, permit other species that prefer hot weather to take hold in apparent empty voids. We end up with a one-two kind of growing season with the Stilt grass weed having freedom to grow during the heat of summer. Therefore, Stilt Grass will have the tendency to dominate these sites during the warm weather, especially if the soil is not diverse enough to support high quality summer forage grasses also. Monitoring of these sites in spring confirms a high density of growing fescue with almost no Stilt Grass, while later there is a reversal. In the forested areas, loggers have long used fescues as the cover of choice to obtain vegetative cover on their disturbed sites. Fescues can grow in shady conditions, as is the case with Stilt Grass also. The energy flow cycle is disrupted by the removal of trees, thus more light gets in to these sites allowing for grasses like fescue to take hold. Usually fescues are short-lived because the forest begins to grow back and the grass is eventually shaded out. It is at this point in the cycle, that normal shade tolerant forest under story plants such as cohosh, maidenhair fern, wild ginger and a long list of others would return to dominance. An interesting quality about the Stilt Grass is that it can grow in more shade than the fescue. Yet, it struggles under dense canopy in areas where many valuable forest plants continue to thrive. Therefore, the haul roads will eventually be mostly Stilt Grass without intervention, at least until full recovery of the forest canopy has returned. This is because the road itself, if kept open, will remain as an edge site of mixed energy flow. The technology disturbance in these areas has weakened the soil structure enough that the Stilt Grass can form seedbeds and dominates the plants that should be reemerging. The progression of the Stilt Grass is the same whether in grassland or in forest, but result from two different forces at work. Grassland aspects where Stilt Grass will emerge tend to be north-facing slopes or east-facing slopes because these will remain moist even during the hottest weather. It may be difficult to get high quality grasses to grow on these sites unless the energy flow can be increased, however the mineral cycle is often impaired to continued on page 13 N u m b e r 10 5
h IN PRACTICE
5
After Africa– Finding Home Again by Abbey Kingdon
A
llan Savory changed my life. But I didn’t realize that until I stepped onto the tarmac of the San Francisco International Airport. As I walked to a 19-minute express flight to Sacramento after 2 days of travel from Johannesburg, South Africa, thoughts of the 2 months I spent in Africa played through my mind like an old film. I couldn’t believe it was over. I’d spent a year and a half researching, saving, and planning to get myself to Africa for a Holistic Management internship. All this was because of a soft-spoken man who drank hot tea with lunch, who said “graws,” not “grass,” and who over the course of an afternoon interview, planted the idea of healthy, sustainable land in my mind. As the heavy glass door pushed open and I filed out behind other travelers in a neat line to the little plane, I inhaled a deep breath of ocean air. California, at last. Home. But home had changed, too. After the open high veld (rangeland) that borders the Kalahari and the abundant bush veld (filled with impala, kudu, warthogs, mambas, and baboons) that I had walked through just days before, my Sierra Nevada mountain valley home appeared small and a little less alive. The permanent fences crisscrossing the valley stood out like weathered
During her internship, Abbey learned how holistic grazing planning is helping Certified Educator trainee, Wayne Knight, and his family from Limpopo, South Africa. statues against the weak green of the early spring grass. The land looked totally occupied. Before Africa, I saw a picturesque landscape when I looked at the valley: tall grass, thick forests, abundant wildlife, and happy cows grazing the open meadows. But that was only a glance. When I got home I knew how to take a closer look. While studying Holistic Management in 6
IN PRACTICE
h
South Africa and working on cattle farms, I’d learned that to really view the land I had to crawl through the veld with my eyes on the soil surface, stick my hands in the soil, smell for minerals and water in the soil, and notice what types and variety of life grew in that land. In Africa, I saw healthy land, abundant with all types of life and I saw sick land, choked with monocultures that slowly let the life slip away with the soil, turning the place to desert. I saw cattle as more than beef. I saw the good work their hooves could do with proper grazing planning. I marveled at the role the rumen played in the ecosystem of a low-rainfall environment. The rumen gives ruminants, like cattle, the ability to break down organic material and provide the resources for new plants to grow. I learned to love wild places, to enjoy a sunset from the veranda, listening to the birds, the baboons, the bats, and the bugs. That glimmer of hope and interest in healthy, open land that began with a conversation with Savory bloomed and took root in South Africa. I chose to study Holistic Management in South Africa simply because that’s where it began. I first planned to go to Zimbabwe, to Savory’s ranch which is now a Holistic Management learning center, but national political instability diverted me south, to South Africa. I stayed with two families who were holistically managing their cattle operations. The first family, the Knights, opened their homes to me, offering good South African food, conversation, advice, and lots of tea. Wayne and Hillary, and Wayne’s parents, Tom and Wendy, became lifelong mentors and friends to me. Dick and Judy Richardson, my second hosts, are the top Holistic Management educators in Southern Africa. I left the Richardsons’ ranch feeling that I had gained surrogate South African parents. The country, culture, and people were so wonderful, so diverse, and so full of contrasts and raw natural beauty that I never wanted to leave. But Africa is not my home. My American psyche could not process some of the realities inherent in South African life, like land claims and farm murders. When I returned to the United States, I transplanted clippings of a South African love, respect, and appreciation for nature and for natural processes into my work and life.
January / February 2 0 0 6
Abbey at age five with a lamb. My relationship with rangelands and their accessories – cattle, cowboys, ranchers, water, and grass – began at birth, long before I decided to attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and study animal science, ethnic studies, and agricultural communications. I was involved with rangelands long before I began working for Cal Poly’s student-run newspaper, the Mustang Daily, which led to the sustainability issue we produced that led to the interview with Savory. As the daughter of ranchers, I was raised in cattle ranch fields of Indian Valley, my Sierra Nevada mountain valley home. My parents had a house, of course, but I don’t remember being inside much. Before I went to school, I was following my father out to irrigate, watching his footsteps in front of me as I struggled to keep up, listening for the clink of the metal shovel as it hit rocks in the soil, then later swimming in those same ditches or jumping over them on my pony. My younger brother and I would picnic with our mother as she watched the sheep in the fields, moving them and protecting them against coyotes. As she worked, we swung from the branches of pine trees lining the meadow, raced through gullies, and made forts out of fallen cottonwood trees. We’d eat breakfast and lunch in the field with our mother. Somehow regular old Raisin Bran or sandwiches of peanut butter and jelly always tasted better in the fresh air. When we were older, we worked with our parents, herding cows, branding, doctoring, and raking hay. They taught us to work with the cows, the grass, the water, and the seasons, but also to enjoy them. Hot summer afternoons were meant for swimming at the river and school holidays for friends coming with their horses for rides through the river willows and continued on page 17
LIVESTOCK
&
Same Path, New Horizons – Del Cerro at The Howell Ranch by Jim Howell enterprise mix provided limited economic niches. She could carry on in Dad’s foosteps and become a custom-grazier of beef cattle, a hunting guide, or forester/chainsaw operator. She might have a knack for finance or marketing, and she could fill those roles as well. Of course she can always y wife, Daniela, and I have been making a living from a variety develop her own enterprise on the ranch, but we reasoned that if we developed of enterprises based on our land here in western Colorado, as an enterprise with a diverse range of skill-based and economic niches, the well as additional education-based efforts off the ranch, for ten likelihood of her successfully finding her specific niche would be much greater. years now, and it’s been great. But as we have periodically sat Third, we have, in recent years, felt that we needed to be less insular and down to refine the core values that drive us, and to clarify what those more involved with the proactive evolution of our community’s character. In mean in terms of what we should actually be doing everyday, several particular, we’ve felt a longing to support the creative, passion-driven small realizations have gradually crystallized. So while we are still on the same businesses and individuals in our area. We do that through direct patronage, path, it has evolved to where we can see some new horizons. but what if we could devise a business that might also more fully engage some of these people? A Sharper Focus on a Bigger Vision There was one more driver on top of those three, especially for Daniela. First, although our off-ranch activities are fun, usually profitable, and She longed to see some sort of tangible, beautiful output of all the work enriching, our love for our land and we do every year on the land. For our passion for being in this place, me, it’s very satisfying to receive learning how to live here in seven loads of cattle and send harmony has evolved into our back ten, knowing that my greatest motivators. Moreover, we’ve grazing management had a lot to come to realize that our land is our do with growing 150,000 new most stable asset. If we take care of pounds of beef. The elk and deer it, nurture it, and grow intimate with we harvest every fall, the it, its capacity for sustaining us is measurable improvement in indefinite. Indeed, a healthy land ecosystem processes – these are base generating infinitely renewable other tangible products. But we solar dollars is the ultimate source of also longed for something even profitability and security. more directly tied to our So, for reasons both practical and planning and implementing and The cashmere goats browse a number of forbs and woody plants including monitoring ... a beautiful and emotional, we began to direct our creative juices toward building a new silver sage. meaningful product that we land-based enterprise, or at least add value to our existing enterprises, to be could touch, admire, enjoy, and that was enduring. able to derive our entire income from the ranch itself. What that would be The Right Fit wasn’t clear initially, but we’ve kept our eyes and hearts more open to new possibilities. We both loved the idea of focusing our energies on a highly We started with a premise fundamental to any successful business venture profitable, meaningful, land-based business that enlisted our personal – this new enterprise first and foremost had to enlist our personal passions. passions, and that was ideally suited to our climate and resource base. Jim Collins, in his book, Good to Great, writes of the importance of loving one’s work and states that all great companies have figured out what they Second, we realized that if our daughter, Savanna, eventually decides she wants to stay on the land and in the family business, our then-existing continued on page 8 Editor’s Note: In this issue we welcome back Jim Howell as Contributing Editor for Land & Livestock. The following article is the first in a series on the Howell’s newest business venture, Del Cerro.
M
N u m b e r 10 5
h
Land & Livestock
7
Same Path, New Horizons
continued from page seven
can do better than anybody else in the world, and they stick to that specialty with unwavering rigor and discipline. Similarly, Allan Nation of the Stockman Grass Farmer emphasizes that each unique whole under management will have its own “unreasonable advantage.” Now, I love cows, but I’ve long realized that our ranch comprises a huge range of grazing and (especially) browsing niches that cows never even sniff at. The cows eat the grass, and not much else. Most of our biomass is comprised of a diverse mix of big sagebrush, silver sagebrush, quaking aspen, shrubby cinquefoil, sulfur buckwheat, several species of rabbit brush, gambel oak brush, service berries, snow berries, squaw currants, squaw apples, and fringed sage - among many other shrub and Karakul sheep take cover behind a service berry bush – even though they had a shelter, these tough tree species. sheep prefer to stay out and find their own protection from the elements. Highly gregarious, they I’ve heard of ranchers who’ve been able to get remain tightly bunched in all kinds of weather. their cows to eat all that, but I haven’t had much luck. So looking at our “unreasonable advantage,” environment, our average low during winter hovers around 0 degrees F (-18 we realized our cold, brush-dominated, high altitude ranch, though it can C), with week-long stretches of 20 below (-29 C) not uncommon. Coupled grow beautiful cattle, certainly doesn’t match up to vast tracts of the earth with the fact that we’re under snow for about four months, we reasoned that that provide much better cattle habitat. Cattle might fill a niche here, but we could grow very clean, high quality fiber. Those conditions are pretty bad we’ll never be the best in the world at custom-grazing cattle, because that’s for trying to winter a beef cow, but pretty ideal if you’re trying to grow fine not where our unreasonable advantage lies. wool and cashmere. We realized we’d have to feed hay on the snow, but most Since cows mostly eat our grasses, we typically wait to receive cattle until of our brush species stick up through the snow, so we figured they’d provide a late in the spring, after all our native cool season grasses have been able to major component of the winter diet as well. get a good start. But in early spring, we have a diversity of native, succulent, Creating a Purple Alpaca annual and perennial forbs that grow in profusion as soon as the snow melts. By the time the grass has come on, most of those early forbs have So, thanks to our climate and the unique traits of our landscape, we can withered in the warmer temperatures, and the cows get little if any good out produce high quality animal fiber – maybe even the best fiber in the world, of them. So that’s another grazing/browsing niche that has gone unutilized. and the prospect of doing that motivates the heck out of me. But to achieve To tap our unreasonable advantage – to devise a grazing/browsing an attractive gross profit, we realized we had to add a lot of value to this fiber. enterprise that we could do better than anyone else in the world – it was Daniela, in addition to her passion for the land and understanding of the clear to us that we had to do something different. role of animals to sustain and regenerate its health, just happens to have a keen interest and amazing aptitude for creating beautiful, artistic, livable, From Cow Herd to Fiber Flerd welcoming spaces. She never felt sufficient meaning in this pursuit, however, As a student and fanatic enthusiast of naturally functioning rangeland to develop it beyond her own homes. But it finally dawned on her that, by environments, I’ve realized that most of these places, in their pristine states, using ranch-raised fiber in the creation of beautiful products to be used for support a broad diversity of grazing and browsing animals to fill all of these home interiors, she could tie her love for interior design in a meaningful wonderful niches. Similarly, most native, nomadic herding cultures way back to the land. incorporate a range of domestic grazers, such as the Mongolians, with their But that still begged the question – what exactly would we produce? We sheep, goats, yaks, camels, and horses. It became clear this was the model we knew we had to be different and remarkable to have a chance (see Seth had to work toward, and this prospect of attempting to mimic nature with a Godin’s The Purple Cow). To make a long story short, we decided that our broad range of diverse domestic herbivores lined right up with my passion. primary product would be artistic, hand-woven textiles intended for use in But what exactly would this mix of critters look like? More importantly, interiors, including, but not limited to, upholstery applications. what would we sell? That was the key. Passion only goes so far without profit. Why? It’s a product that is nearly non-existent, so we would be A multi-species herd of sheep, goats, and camelids might fill our vacant attempting to fill a totally empty niche (or, perhaps, creating a new niche). niches perfectly, but we didn’t want to embark on that path until we figured Because it’s hand-woven by Colorado weavers, and we’re selling it as art, not out how to market their products through profitable avenues. Selling high just upholstery fabric, we are able to add a tremendous amount of value. In quality, grass- and shrub-finished meat was the obvious choice, but for a our marketing, we’re also emphasizing the story behind our product – i.e. number of reasons, neither Daniela nor I have ever been too fired up about produced in nature’s image through restorative land management practices, going the direct market meat route. That is still a possibility, and one we’ll by the Howell Family on the Howell Ranch, with Savanna being the fifth probably pursue at some point (with the right person in charge), but it’s not generation of Howells to walk this land, etc. The combination of these factors where either of our interests lie. genuinely results in an impossible-to-duplicate, truly exquisite, and (perhaps But certain breeds of goats, most sheep breeds, and camelids (alpacas most importantly for the market we are targeting) exclusive product. We call and llamas) obviously produce fiber. In the extreme dry cold of our our new venture Del Cerro (meaning “from the mountain” in Spanish), and 8
Land & Livestock
h
J a n u a r y / Fe b r u a r y 2 0 0 6
we create “Fine textile art for natural interiors.” We’ve designed six lines of textiles, each inspired by different landscapes and cultures from around the world, as well as throws for accent pieces. We’ve been working with a master weaver in our community, Cheri Isgreen, in the process of doing all the research necessary to create these textiles (starting with the right type of fiber species/breeds, then yarn specifications, twist, density of the cloth, durability, etc., plus the actual designs within each line). That has all been a steeper learning curve than we anticipated (and we’re still climbing). We are working with a small, locally-owned processing mill in Taos, New Mexico for our scouring, carding, and spinning needs. Besides Cheri, we have a full team of eight more highly experienced handweavers working with us, all based in Colorado. A master dyer from New Mexico, Leslie King, has been tutoring us on the complex art of natural dyeing, and we’ve also achieved USDA Organic Certification for our land, animals and fiber.
Finding the Right Mix In the process of doing our research, we learned that an upholstery yarn has to be both strong and reasonably soft to the touch (called “hand” in the weaving world). These two traits work against each other, since long fibers (which give strength to the yarn) are typically courser (and therefore scratchier) than fibers from sheep breeds with a shorter staple length. We also were very determined to include a wide range of naturally colored fibers in our product – that is, in addition to white, we wanted off-whites, beiges, tans, grays, browns, and black. We are including naturally-dyed yarns in our textiles (dyed with natural pigments derived from soils, insects, and plants). But to simplify production and help keep our cost slightly lower, we are intent on using designs that primarily incorporate the natural colors of the fibers themselves. So, that meant we needed to find a mix of species and breeds that, either by themselves or through the blending of different fibers, could meet a fairly challenging set of specifications. After much debating and trial and error, the mix of species/breeds we have assembled includes: karakul sheep (for color and long staple length for strength), Icelandic sheep (with their dual coat, they provide both strength and softness, plus a wide range of color), colored and white angora goats (which produce mohair, giving both strength and luster), llamas (also providing color and a long staple length for strength), cashmere goats, and alpacas (the cashmere is blended with alpaca fiber to
The camelids (alpacas and llamas) fill their grazing niche on the summer place.
make an extremely soft, lofty yarn for our throws). Despite the fact we were a long way from actually having a product to sell, we began to source animals and create our flerd (a flock/herd combination). At that point, we were still in the R&D phase of figuring out the designs and sorting through the technical weaving challenges of our different textile patterns. But, as we began to actively market (realizing that the time lag between initiating a marketing strategy and actually selling something might take a while), we realized we needed to have at least a starter herd on the place to give us a degree of credibility (since the “story” of how the fibers are actually produced is a big part of this strategy). I was also anxious to see how this mix of animals was actually going to use our land, and was especially keen to get some experience taking them through a winter. So, at this point our flerd contains about 150 head, and over the next five years, as we phase into full production, we plan to build to a maximum herd size of between 800-1000 animals, at which point we’ll be stocked to our full sustainable carrying capacity.
Goat Control Issues A cornerstone of our operation and our whole production model is restorative, ecologically enhancing land management. We have to manage our animals this way if we expect to continue doing this many generations down the road, not to mention that a big part of our marketing strategy stresses our commitment to responsible, earth-friendly production methods. That means we have to holistically plan our grazing/browsing patterns, which means that somehow I had to figure out how to control all those darn goats. Compared to the sheep and the camelids, the goats are a pain. In the fall of 2004, we built a few small pastures around the house, mostly in productive riparian areas, with full-on, 39-inch (99-cm) woven wire with a hot wire on top. We moved the animals through these pastures throughout the fall, and then started feeding on the snow in these pastures throughout the winter. Those fences worked fine, with the exception of any spot where the bottom of the woven wire was more than 5 inches (124 mm) off the ground. The goats found all those spots. They’re incredibly good at squeezing under things, and as soon as one figures it out, the rest follow immediately. The perimeter on our lower country is fenced with woven wire, but these fences were new about 80 years ago, so are fairly goat-permeable. I decided to grit my teeth, turn ‘em loose, and accept the learning curve that lay ahead of me. Once turned out in the first pasture, they promptly led me to every weak spot in the fence. After 10 or 12 escape episodes over the course of about a month, I had most of the holes plugged, but the whole experience wasn’t really that fun. My passion waned on many days. I spent dozens of unproductive hours on horseback trying to find the ornery caprines on the neighbor’s place, which is one big 2000-acre (800ha), very hilly, very brushy pasture. But there were some bright spots. The east side of this first pasture was formerly a one-wire, hi-tensile electric fence designed to turn lumbering bovines. The wire was set at an average height of about 30 inches (76 cm). We lowered that wire about six inches (150 mm), then added a second hot wire 12 or 13 inches (300-325 mm) below that, to make a two-wire fence. I’d never heard of anybody controlling goats with 2 hot wires, but nobody had ever told me it couldn’t be done, either. Since that was the easiest and cheapest fence modification I could think of, that’s where I started, and I’ll be darned if it didn’t work. The goats never crossed that fence one time. The key, I think, was that it was hotter than h___. In July, we moved the whole flerd up to our high place, 15 miles (25 km) away and 2000 feet (600 m) higher. For the rest of the summer, we planned to use a big open park right on the edge of our summer camp. We reckoned continued on page 10 N u m b e r 10 5
h
Land & Livestock
9
Same Path, New Horizons
continued from page nine
want them with two hot wires is a major burden off my back. Flerd that the open and easy terrain, in an area where we could see them all behavior, and the associated predation issues, is going to be a tougher nut the time, would be a good place to begin experimenting with tighter control to crack. Our coyote, bear, mountain lion, and eagle populations are all and portable fencing. But we had another challenge. The perimeter fence up thriving, and that’s fine with me. They all fill essential ecological niches, there is also of 1915 vintage, some of it with four rusty, brittle, sagging and I figure it’s our duty as managers to figure out how to live together. barbed wires, and some with just three. Not only was this fence as good as We’ve got an awesome Akbash guard dog, Bella, and she does her best at nothing for the goats, but the sheep wouldn’t have been slowed down by it running off the predators. The problem is that these various species/breeds either. So, along with our hired man, Jesse Wright, we again asked ourselves, are segregationists. It’s not that they don’t like each other, but they have “What’s the minimum, least costly approach we might take to make this little if any desire to mix company. That makes it tough for Bella to keep thing goat-proof?” track of them all. We decided that on the 4-wire fence, we could put in an offset hot wire With the exception of the Icelandic sheep, each species/breed sticks with between the third and fourth barbed wires (with Gallagher offset their own kind exceptionally well. The angora and cashmere goats like each brackets). It would stick out from the fence about a foot (300 mm), and other and are always together in a tight bunch, and the alpacas and llamas be 7 to 12 inches (175-300 mm) off the ground. To get under the barbed wire fence, a goat would have to touch that offset wire at the same time, are always together. Sometimes the goats and camelids will decide to hang out together for a few days at a time. The karakul sheep are incredibly the combination of which would effectively ground the heck out of him gregarious with an amazing flocking instinct. They act like they’re one and give a serious zap. To walk through the fence (as opposed to organism and are extremely wary of everything. Once in a while I’ll catch squeezing under it), a goat would also have a heckuva time without them with the other flerd members, but most of the time they’re pretty aloof. touching the offset hot wire during the escape attempt. The Icelandic sheep, however, get For the 3-wire fence, an offset wire spread out and forget (and don’t between the second and third wires was seem to care) where their mates are, too high, so we had to add a nonand unfortunately aren’t scared of electrified fourth hi-tensile wire below anything. I suspect this is because the three barbed wires, and then add an they evolved in Iceland over several offset wire between that wire and the hundred years, in the absence of any bottom barbed wire. That effectively predation pressure. As a result of made the challenge of crossing the their sitting duck behavior patterns, same as with the 4 wire fence. This we lost five to a bear while on our solution worked perfectly. We didn’t high place this summer. I think have one escape event through this another guard dog will help, and as modified 80-year-old fence all summer. the number of Icelandic sheep grows, We also did a bunch of portable maybe they will flock better, but fencing within this pasture, effectively that’s a challenge that remains to be splitting it up into areas roughly big resolved. I’ve been tempted to get rid enough for 10-day grazing periods. We of them, but their fiber is perfect for used two small diameter cable wires, set our specific textile applications. We at about 10 and 22 inches (250-550 Here the cashmere and angora goats enjoy a feast of baby aspens. lost a couple young Karakul lambs to mm) off the ground. These wires are coyotes last spring, and haven’t lost any goats or alpacas. The presence of easy to roll up, and they pack a heck of a shock. The problem is that they’re the llamas seems to help the alpacas. not too strong, and our main problem was keeping them up given the deer, As the flerd grows and stock density increases, and as new babies are born elk, and bear traffic. But, most of the time, whenever the wires broke, the flerd still respected them laying there on the ground. Only when the wires got into this multi-species mix, I predict that a new flerd culture will gradually strung out all over the place did the flerd get away. Polywire is actually much evolve. They’ll grow to know each pasture intimately, including where to go to minimize predation risk. As long as we don’t start killing predators stronger than the cable wire, but not as conductive, but I think it will be the (thereby inviting new individuals into vacated home ranges, which is all that answer to the wildlife problem. It works great in portable applications with happens when killing predators, unless a blitzkrieg-like eradication policy is our cattle, where wildlife is also abundant. pursued), I think our guard dog(s) and predators will get to know each other And, predictably but amazingly, we are now utilizing our whole range of grazing and browsing niches. The goats consume every single plant we have- and develop relationships of reluctant but peaceful tolerance. We also plan to eventually employ a full time herder who will live with the animals, with gusto. The sheep target the dozens of species of broad-leaved forbs and purposefully keeping everybody together all day, and bedding them down more tender grasses, but also browse significantly. The camelids are happy together at night. This should help tremendously with the predation consuming the grasses (filling the niche formerly occupied by cattle), but issues, and I suspect will accelerate the transition to a more integrated seem happy to have both tender forbs and coarse browse to go along with flerd culture. At this point, I’m the herder, and along with the double hot them. It’s an amazing thing to watch, if you’re into that sort of thing, and I wire, we’re making do. haven’t decided yet which ones are my favorites. The only certainty is that we have a lifetime of learning and refinement Flerd Sociology ahead of us, and not just in managing grazing and predation issues, but in every aspect of this new venture. For more information, please visit our So, we feel confident that we can control the flerd. No doubt we’ll website at www.delcerrotextiles.com. continue to refine, but the fact that we know we can put goats where we 10
Land & Livestock
h
J a n u a r y / Fe b r u a r y 2 0 0 6
Paddock Monitoring – Are We On Track? by Mark Gardner with David Marsh
D
track of changes,” says David. “We have been involved in natural avid and Mary Marsh and their family live on “Allendale,” resource management for a long time, but if we don’t measure our land, 2,032 acres (813 ha) of undulating country close to Boorowa in how do we really know it’s changed. Is the landscape moving towards the the South West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia. future we want, as described in our holistic goal?” While the rainfall averages 25 inches (625 mm), David Marsh estimates their position on the brittleness scale is somewhere around a six Review Your Focus or seven out of ten due to long dry periods. But despite a challenging The first step in the On Track Paddock Indicator process is to thoroughlandscape and a drought to boot, the Marshes have been able to decrease ly review your holistic goal, particularly focusing on the future resource base their bare ground by 400 percent in the last three years. description. This helps to ensure that monitoring is directed towards a clear Since completing Holistic Management training with me and Brian and defined end point, and makes it easy to determine if the land Marshall in 1990, the Marsh family has changed many aspects of their management decisions over farming operation. Originally time have led to progress mixed livestock and cereal being on track or not. croppers, the Marshes have The review process is also moved their enterprise mix useful to make sure the towards all livestock, which holistic goal has been are now moved through their recently renewed and is an country using Holistic ® up-to-date reflection of Management Planned reality. Grazing principles. For the Marsh Family, Extensive fencing and their future landscape water development have now description taken from their given them 90 paddocks holistic goal is as follows: through which animals move “A diverse landscape according to the growth rates with soils covered year of the plants and the desired Bluebells, danthonia, redgrass, brushtail spear grass (all native plants) thrive in the round, effective water cycle recovery period. The Marsh Marsh paddocks as the Marshes produce an increasingly diverse landscape on with a diverse and family has a strong Allandale through planned grazing and the Paddock Indicator monitoring approach. abundant soil life efficiently environmental focus, and the cycling minerals, supported by an increasing flow of energy via holistic grazing planning has allowed them to use their stock as a tool to sunlight harvest. Increasing perennials in the plant layer with complex regenerate the land, in line with their holistic goal. age structure and increased species diversity. Stable revegetated riparian Keep It Simple areas, and diverse, well-structured tree/shrub native grass/forb areas with good connectivity as fauna habitat.” Some four years ago, David became interested in monitoring the condition of his paddocks. At the same time, Certified Educator Graeme Site Selection Hand and I saw a need to develop a simple monitoring process for land David established two formal monitoring sites across the property, and managers to be able to check the condition of their land and relate this to other sites that are monitored with photos. These were chosen in areas the landscape component of their holistic goal, to check if their paddock where changes were required. “We picked paddocks that were different, management decisions are on track or not and to make any changes and where we wanted to see changes. We really wanted to see changes in necessary. plant composition, more native perennials and better ground cover,” says To do this, we have combined an active review of the holistic goal, ® David. with use of the Holistic Management Early Warning Biological The sites chosen are on different soil types. The first site had few crops Monitoring process and a change-based coaching framework to help grown on it over a 35-year period, and had a large percentage of introduced holistic decision makers check the progress of their land-based decisions. species (phalaris) and a small percentage of native perennial grasses. On We created the On Track Paddock Indicators and have used them at this site, David was looking to use the tools of grazing, animal impact, and “Allendale” for three years. planned recovery to promote even more native grasses. “On the other site we Monitoring land is an important, but often underutilized, component started monitoring in an area which already had some native grasses, and of Holistic Management. Much information exists at the soil surface that we were looking for a spread,” says David, again using a range of tools (and can tell us about our paddock management decisions, if we can just different combinations) to create the desired changes. spend the time to look! These tools looked good in relation to his holistic goal, when There is an Australian saying: “What you see of your country is compared to costly technology based options. proportional to your ground speed.” Taking the time to walk across the land, Fixed point photo shots have been used for a “macro” level view of looking down at a few key indicators, can really help to fine tune decisions. changes on the two main sites, as well as on another three sites. Transect “We decided that we needed to do some paddock monitoring to keep N u m b e r 10 5
h
Land & Livestock
11
2. Evidence of living organisms and type 3. Seasonal characteristics of the perennial base 4. Distance between perennial plants 5. Age structure of the perennial base 6. Species composition David and I talk over the phone, discussing how the measurements relate to the landscape description, and toss around ideas and options for future management. These ideas and options can then be evaluated, by using the testing questions to ensure management decisions are moving the whole toward the freshly renewed holistic goal. Next year, any changes can be noted, and the process starts again.
Collecting The Data My colleague, Graeme Hand has noted, “Farmers generally hate any sort of monitoring, the very idea of it makes them want to find something else to do ... quickly.” The On Track Paddock Indicators have been developed to ensure that there is a high marginal reaction for time spent, and that outcomes of the monitoring can be evident. The process is quick (around 1.5 hour per site), immediate, and has a practical implication for paddock management decisions. “The last thing most farmers want to do is to spend a heap of time collecting data that at the end of the day they say ... so what!” says Graeme. By relating paddock information to the landscape description in their holistic goal, the paddock indicators create an immediate context. It’s even better to use when examining trends over time for a paddock.
Keeping On Track We are trying to present the On Track Paddock Indicators as an ongoing process that farmers can check to see if their land-based decisions are on or off track, in terms of what they are trying to create for their landscape – putting the information into a dynamic and regular evaluation process. To many farmers, this process has an action-based feel to it, and has got quite a few interested. It also helps them gain focus as the process requires them to get reacquainted with and/or freshen up their holistic goal. David undertakes monitoring in spring each year, a time when identification of plant species is easily undertaken. Some sites are monitored in autumn, which is often the lowest point in the ecosystem, often coming after a long dry summer. For each of the sites, David collected the paddock data and sent it to me. I then present summary tables to show shift over time and six graphs, which show some of the time series for key grouped data. The six key groupings are: 1. Soil surface condition 12
Land & Livestock
h
J a n u a r y / Fe b r u a r y 2 0 0 6
Land management and monitoring can be a long-term process, where trends over time become important. To date the results David has achieved have been very encouraging. The state of New South Wales has been in a severe drought for the last three years, and this is a major context in which we have viewed the results of David’s monitoring. “Even in the last three years, which have been very hard seasons, we are seeing the distance to perennials decreasing, bare soil diminishing, and litter accumulating. One of the great things is also an increase in the number of native perennial species starting to appear slowly over the sites,” says David. This is not just wishful thinking; the paddock monitoring has measured actual changes over time. To date these Paddock Indicators changes show posiDistance to perennial, Back Bullock paddock tive movement 10 towards the desired 8 6 landscape descrip4 tion. This gives 2 encouragement to 0 1 2 3 continue with the Year current pattern of land management, Graph 1: The Back Bullock site over the last with continual three years, shows distance to perennial adjustments, as the decreasing over time. This trend shows progress graphs below in relation to the future landscape description, indicate: as described in the Marshes’ holistic goal. Other sites show further positive change towards the desired future landscape description by better soil surface coverage. On the Redgrass site, a reduction in bare soil Paddock Indicators Soil Surface Condition: Redgrass Paddock has been a positive 100 90 development. Now soil is 80 70 covered by either new 60 50 litter, or larger plant 40 30 bases. 20 10 One of the things I 0 Bare Soil Litter 1 Litter 2 Rock Plant have seen in this process Base Soil Surface is the importance of a long recovery period. In Graph 2: This site shows a reduction in bare such tough times, using soil and an increase in Litter 1 (plants technology through recently knocked down to create new water and fence mulch) accumulating over time – another development has given positive movement towards the Marshes’ David the flexibility to future landscape description. increase the number of Avg Dist. to nearest (cm)
%
measurement is used for more detailed and early warning data collection on the two main sites. On the two main sites, the Early Warning Biological Monitoring approach, with some slight modifications, is used to collect data. The key point is that sites should be selected for their usefulness in giving management information to determine if the direction of change occurring in the landscape matches the desired future landscape description. If it is, a great deal of confidence can be gained. If not, changes can be made!
Put It to Use
Distance to perennial (cm)
David Marsh’s animals are being used in a planned way to create a healthy landscape. Plant material not eaten is trampled onto the soil surface and eventually will become litter which will turn into soil – an investment into the ecosystem.
paddocks and, hence, the ability to give plants the recovery periods that they really need. Another important aspect to producing these results is the effort David has made to budget grazing days ahead of the main mob, and to make decisions to reduce or increase stock numbers based on this calculation. As well as using the On Track Paddock Indicators, David has a farm mapping program on his computer. Each year he identifies on a map the area in which native perennials are appearing across the farm. He says, “In 1999 we had less than 2.5 acres (1 ha) of our country where native perennials were evident; now Graph 3 shows how over time Redgrass, Umbrella it is 95 acres (38 ha). Grass and Danthonia (all desirable native Again, this perennial grasses) are starting to slowly appear. incredible increase is a very positive outcome given the fact it was accomplished in the last three years during a drought. While landscape changes can take time, the most interesting aspect to the monitoring on Allendale is that even with a severe drought, changes have advanced quite rapidly. Graph 6: Paddock Indicators Red Grass Species
70 60 50 40
%
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
30 20 10
0 Species
IS AR AL PH
T OO SF CK CO
E RY AL NI EN R PE
D RE
S AS GR
LA EL BR UM
A NI HO NT DA
Trust the Process Understanding that changes may not always happen as quickly as we would sometimes like is a concept of great value. “It would be great to see the changes happening even quicker, but at least we know now that the changes occurring are in the direction we want,” says David. Having patience and developing confidence that management decisions are having a positive impact on the land even in times of severe drought has provided the Marsh family with some positive feedback on their management decisions. The value of Holistic Management® Planned Grazing cannot be underestimated. “The quick defoliation, coupled with a longer recovery period (from 30 to 180 days depending on growth rates) has created the conditions for seeds to germinate and establish, even in drought,” says David. Under constant stocking this does not seem to occur. “It is good to be able to examine the changes of our management, through a measuring process,” says David. “If we don’t see what we want, we have to work out why, and then do something differently.” In this respect, the monitoring process being undertaken on Allendale through the On Track Paddock Indicators provides a practical way in which land managers can easily monitor their land-based management decisions to make sure they are on track, and if not, act to make changes. Mark Gardner is a Certified Educator who lives in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. He can be reached at: 61-0268-0844401 or mark.g@ozemail.com.au.
What’s The Problem? compound the problem. Complete rest of grassland has been the most prominent practice for the past fifty years as many people left family farms to seek work elsewhere. The complete lack of grazing and animal impact has resulted in many changes in ecosystem processes with a complexity that cannot fully be understood without adapting a holistic perspective. I also noticed open sites that have a dominance of Wild Pea and Deer Tongue do not have Stilt Grass or at least have a strong resistance to it. These are also plants of high value as forage for livestock. This may be of use later as a possible solution.
The Grand Experiment In orienting relevant research to field-test my diagnosis, I conducted one experiment on a Stilt Grass /Fescue site this past winter. Six head of cattle were bunched to impact a .25 acrepaddock (.10 ha). They were fed hay on this site to add diversity to the soil. Only warm weather grasses were planted on this site after the animals were finished. Seed was used to speed the process and to observe if this practice might result in usable grazing land, which had been primarily Stilt Grass that the animals would not graze.
continued from page five High quality grasses did not exist on this site and therefore no seed was present. A mixture of orchard grass, red clover, white clover, timothy, and lespedeza were sown on the site. The area has remained primarily free of Stilt Grass as these plants do not go dormant during the summer and have not given Stilt Grass seed a chance to emerge above growth points. The site has been quickly grazed off three times already this year. When this occurs, many very small stilt grass plants are exposed beneath the grasses, but do not get the chance to grow dominant because the soil was so strengthened by the animal impact. For confirmation, I tilled another site and planted Tall Fescue and White clover on the site. On this site, as the Fescue has gone dormant, Stilt Grass has again emerged in greater density than before the treatment. Almost no clover can be found on this site. With a plan for dealing with the issue, I am continuing to monitor, control, and re-plan as necessary. From a holistic perspective, it is important to maintain the feedback loop by assuming you are wrong and looking for unintended consequences. I will conduct another experiment which will involve the use of animal impact in a woodland setting during the winter.
Biodiversity lacking in the soil is an element we cannot ignore in addressing this problem. The tilled planting demonstrates the fescue link to the problem. It also demonstrates that simply planting the correct grasses may not solve the problem because the high quality grasses require high quality soil. Planting seed and adding fertilizer would only be another temporary fix that does not address the longterm root cause. The use of rich nitrogen fertilizer also has the tendency to destroy soil structure. The same can be said of tillage. Bunching the animals may be far more important than one may realize since the biological activity needed happens in the guts of these animals as well as in the soil. Spending a lot of energy and money on removing large stands of Stilt grass in the forest is not likely to meet marginal reaction standards. Adding biodiversity and developing an understanding of the community dynamics will permit us to address the root cause of the problem. Fred Hays is a Certified Educator in Elkview, West Virginia and is the Executive Director of Center for Sustainable Resources. He can be reached at: 304/548-7117 or sustainableresources@hotmail.com.
N u m b e r 10 5
h
Land & Livestock
13
An African Journey For years I have asked supporters to visit Dimbangombe, guaranteeing them a good time and wanting them to see the work and meet the people and animals whose lives are improving. This year, to celebrate my 70th birthday, Jutta von Gontard, our new Development Director, organized a visit of thirteen people and my wish was granted. I thank those who visited and believe we all had a good time. At least one person described it as a life-changing experience and all learned just how safe, calm, and enjoyable this part of Africa is at present despite all the bad press. Not only did the group see the work in
“
ohn, my husband, and I flew to South Africa for a reason. We had been invited to visit Allan Savory for a birthday celebration and ended up having an experience of a lifetime. Little did we know when we made the decision to go that it would be such an adventure. As we flew out of Johannesburg toward Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, we had no idea what to expect. When we arrived at Dimbangombe, Victoria Falls is the largest we were greeted curtain of water in the by Allan Savory world and cascades an and Jody average of 550,000 cubic Butterfield, and meters of water over the a smiling staff edge every minute. of anxious attendants who welcomed us graciously with drinks. We were shown to our rooms, and as I unpacked a few of our belongings, I heard a loud noise just outside our door. When I looked
Dojiwe, the Africa Centre’s tame elephant, with handler. 14
IN PRACTICE
h
progress and meet many of the villagers whose commitment impressed them, but they were also able to see and photograph game in nearby Chobe National Park. One of the visitors, long-time friend and supporter, Harriet Dublin from Midland, Texas, agreed to share excerpts of her journal she kept during the week at Dimbanbombe. We have planned another trip to Dimbangombe the beginning of May 2006. I hope you take the time to read about Harriet’s experience and consider joining us in May for another unforgettable journey. –Allan Savory
Allan Savory, 70 years young at Dimbangombe.
the beautiful, nearby village of Victoria Falls where we shopped the local shops, spent several hours walking and enjoying the Falls, which is one of the most spectacular, wonders of the world. Botswana, a small country that borders Zimbabwe to the East, was our destination for the next day on the Zambezi River. Our group boarded the boat at Chobe Safari Lodge and enjoyed a cruise on the river for several hours, where game viewing was impressive to say the least. Chobe National Park is known for its huge herds of elephant and cape buffalo, as well as crocodiles, hippos, egrets, warthogs. We saw an enormous herd of elephants that came down to the river from the hills to water and bathe. One of the highlights of the week for me was a visit to Monde Primary School, where we observed the classrooms, watched the children play games on the school grounds, and later met with some of the leaders of that village, especially the women who are in charge of the
The schoolchildren of the Monde village. out, an elephant looked me eye to eye. After recovering from my surprise, I returned to the front of the lodge where Allan introduced us to “Dojiwe,” a young, female elephant that has been with the Centre since she was found as a “doggie.” This introduction was the start to many other interactions with wildlife at Dimbangombe. Our days at Dimbangombe started with a morning drive around the property to get an idea of what the land and habitat was like. At different locations during the drive, Rodger Savory, Allan’s son, would explain to us how the land has improved since the Africa Centre began managing the land holistically. We saw a large herd of sable antelope, giraffe, elephant, waterbuck, and many other species of game that have become more plentiful because of the Africa Centre’s work. The cattle on the property were healthy and were handled quite differently than what we are accustomed to. They were herded from daylight until sundown, and then they were penned in a Women cut thatch by hand and carry it to the village lion-proof pen at night. There are no fences there because a barbed wire fence center on their heads. The thatching is used to make the roofs of all the buildings in the Hwange village wouldn’t stand a chance with a herd of elephants or a pride of large male lions. and at the Africa Centre. All the material used to build When we weren’t out in the bush, we the Africa Centre’s accommodations is found right on the property including grass, mud, and wood. had time to relax and take pleasure in
January / February 2 0 0 6
Allan Savory’s birthday was a gift to me. As a child I understood all things come from the soil. But, I had forgotten it. Now I know this again. For this I thank Allan, Jody, Jutta, Dimbangombe, Zimbabwe, and Africa. – Katie Peters
Many different species of wildlife call Dimbangombe home, like these impala grazing in front of the main rondavel (top left), the guest chalets (above) and this giraffe spotted on safari (left).
local village banking system initiated by the Africa Centre for Holistic Management. We were privileged to hear the seventh grade class sing their National Anthem a cappella. On our last day there we met the chiefs of the villages on the special day and night of Allan’s birthday. It was quite an experience to be a part of such a cultural event with the local villagers who came out to entertain us with their tribal dances. Between the entertainment and the roasted warthog feast, it was a night to remember. It was such a privilege to be included on this adventure, and it has changed my life by making me more aware of the needs of others and appreciative of all our blessings. – Harriet Dublin Don Youngbauer from Montana (in cowboy hat) with Midland, Texas Peter Howarth of Australia and Judy Pierson of New Mexico.
Guests at Dimbangombe learn about the land management practices used to improve land health and help villagers work in harmony with nature, including the herding of cattle (below), and the elephant trenches dug one yard wide and deep to keep elephants, who are unable to jump, out of crop fields so they can’t destroy the crops (above).
What stands out most for me about the African trip were the people. I was quite taken with their intelligence, their capacity, and their willingness to get out there and work. It struck me during the trip that after 10,000 years of agricultural practice, we still don’t know how to relate to the land. Holistic Management is on the leading edge of sustainable land use in the world, and Dimbangombe is a learning site for that practice.– Don Youngbauer
N u m b e r 10 5
h IN PRACTICE
15
T he news from holistic management international
h people, programs & projects
Board of Director News
activity, she enjoys riding, tennis, hiking, skiing, reading, and being a grandmother.
A
B
s part of Holistic Management International’s annual meeting in November 2005, the Board of Directors voted in the new Board officers to lead the Board in 2006. Ron Chapman graciously agreed to serve another term as Board Chair to maintain continuity. Ben Bartlett will be Vice-Chair, with Sue Probart as Treasurer and Jody Butterfield as Secretary. Holistic Management International wishes to thank Terry Word who served as Vice-Chair in 2005. He will remain on the Board. We also offer our appreciation to our outgoing Board members Clint Josey, Judy Richardson, and Bruce Ward for their contributions to Board leadership. We welcome our five new Board members and take some space here to introduce them to our supporters.
G
ail Hammack currently lives in Lostine, Oregon on a small ranch with her husband, Doug McDaniel, a long-time Advisory Council member. Doug and Gail have recently retired from cattle ranching. Gail earned her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Dallas and worked for the McDonald’s Corporation for 26 years before retiring in 1998 Gail Hammack as Regional VicePresident of the Boston region. She has been involved in a variety of community work including her work as a Board member for Wallowa County Business Facilitation, a non-profit helping entrepreneurs start and stay in business. She has also been a Board member for Wallowa Resouces, a non-profit helping those who work to improve the land and economic viability of the community. She also has been a victim’s advocate and facilitator in batterer intervention program for Safe Harbors, a non-profit working to support victims of domestic violence and to influence batterers to consider changing their violent beliefs. When Gail is not involved in community 16
IN PRACTICE
h
rian Marshall is a grazier managing holistically at “Tara” Guyra, New South Wales, Australia. He has previously been a farmer and grazier with his wife, Rosemary, and five children in the Warren, Breeza, and Nundle districts of New South Wales. He has also had family grazing property and employment experience in Queensland. Brian has tertiary qualifications in Australia and the U.S. (Bachelors of Science and Masters in Agriculture at Texas A&M). He is a Certified Educator and has been Brian Marshall training groups in Holistic Management since 1995 in many diverse regions of Australia. He is a practical educator with experience in cropping, beef, and sheep enterprises, plus direct beef marketing. He has been an advisory council member of an agricultural college and served as a director on school, recreational club, and family company boards.
J
im McMullan and his wife, Ann, raise cattle, goats and sheep on a Crockett County ranch established by his grandfather, on land leased from the University of Texas, and on land in Guadalupe County, Texas purchased in the late ‘70s. He is a graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M and has served in a number of volunteer positions including: President of Bexar County Veterinary Medical Jim McMullan Association, Member of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association, President of South Texas Farm and Ranch Club, and Board Member of HRM of Texas. Jim has won numerous awards including being named Outstanding Conservation Rancher, Crockett County, Texas, and Absentee Conservation Rancher, Soil and Water
January / February 2 0 0 6
Conservation District of Texas, Region II. He is presently a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association and of the Bexar County Beef Cattle Committee. Jim also teaches a popular class in Ranch Management offered by the continuing education department of the North East Independent School District of San Antonio. Jim first heard Allan Savory in Del Rio, Texas in the early ‘80s when Allan was a speaker at the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association. Not long after, the McMullans took Allan’s week-long introductory course at San Antonio, Texas, and about a year later took another one-week course.
I
an Mitchell-Innes ranches with Beefmaster cattle on the family property in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. He and his wife, Pam, have recently been joined by their son, William, making him the fifth generation to ranch the same land. Ian has been a very active member of the Southern African Holistic Management community since the mid-’90s. He was initially trained by Dick Richardson; and in 1999, he participated in the African Certified Educator Training Program. He became a Ian Mitchell-Innes Certified Educator in 2001, and is a founding member of Community Dynamics, the South African Association of Certified Educators and Practitioners. He served as President of Community Dynamics in 2002 and 2003. Ian’s experience as a practitioner has been invaluable to the success of Holistic Management in Kwa Zulu-Natal (KZN). He has been instrumental in implementing much of the Holistic Management thinking in his high rainfall area. His ranch, Blanerne, provides a learning and research site for Holistic Management that is visited by farmers/ranchers, students, academics and international visitors frequently. Ian also works with the Department of Agriculture in KZN, involving them in Holistic Management. He is also involved in assisting emerging commercial farmers in his area with training and mentoring. He has recently been approached to provide training for 50 communal farmers in the south of Kwa ZuluNatal. Ian is an African with a deep knowledge and understanding of African culture. He is fluent in Zulu, Afrikaans, and English.
D
ennis Wobeser is from Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada and was born and raised on a farm just outside of Regina, Saskatchewan. He attended the University of Saskatchewan where he earned a degree in Animal Science. After completing university, he sold feed for Shur-Gain, and he and his wife, Jean, relocated to Lloydminster, Alberta. In the early ‘60s, Dennis and a partner started a custom cattle feeding operation. It was one of the first feedlots in Western Canada with an eventual capacity of Dennis Wobeser 8,000 head. At this time Dennis was active with the local Exhibition Association and the Alberta Cattle Feeders. In the early ‘80s, amid much transition in the cattle feeding industry, Dennis was introduced to Holistic Resource Management through fellow cattle feeder Blake Holtman from Taber, Alberta. When the operation was at a crossroad, much of what he and his family learned through Holistic Management made sense, thus began the change from a feedlot to a grass-based cattle operation. The operation includes two locations of 11,000 acres running both cows and yearlings. Also involved in the operation are daughter, Kelly, and son, Brady, and their families. His daughter, Wendy, is a medical doctor in Kingston, Ontario. Through this time, Dennis and Jean have
been active members of the Devon Management Group which has organized many seminars and field days. Dennis often speaks on their operation and Holistic Management.
Horizon Organic Contract
H
olistic Management International will be working throughout 2006 with Horizon Organic. Under a new partnership, HMI will facilitate the planning for some of the facilities that produce milk for Horizon’s line of products. The purpose of this effort is to create a new standard for pasture and range management for organic dairies. Faced with insufficient product to meet the growing demand, and with changing standards for organic dairies that require the animals to be out on the land more than is currently required, Horizon has engaged HMI as a key strategic partner. Horizon has hired HMI to assist their company in meeting the new pasture standards, converting more confinement operations to organic production, and producing healthy and productive irrigated pastures and rangelands. The two companies will be using the work at the initial operations to create templates and models that can be used in the coming years with existing Horizon producers and/or with potential producers who need assistance making the conversion from conventional dairying to organic. Executive Director Shannon Horst will be the lead on this project.
Small Acreage Workshops
H
olistic Resource Management of Texas held its first-ever workshop for small acreage land managers on November 12, 2005 in Wimberley, Texas. “Preserving Your Paradise” was a huge success with attendance at 120 and many more people on a waiting list for the next workshop. The morning session included the basics of Holistic Management by Certified Educators Dick Richardson and Peggy Maddox, as well as information on the ecosystem processes by several instructors. Pat Richardson illustrated the concept of wholes within wholes as well as showing a 15-minute video of the animals living beneath the grasses and trees at Holistic Management International’s West Ranch in Ozona, Texas. After lunch, the participants were transported hayride style to the 15-acre ranchette owned by HRM of Texas Executive Director, Peggy Cole, for a hands-on lesson in land planning. Besides demonstrations on portable, electric fencing, speakers also shared their experiences with multi-species grazing on small acreage and showed other types of portable net fencing. Participants worked in small groups on the land with a group leader to help answer questions, teach plant identification, and guide the group in coming up with management ideas.
After Africa
continued from page six
up overgrown mountain trails. Since Sometimes I browse travel sites on the then, the open spaces and growing things Internet, looking for a way back to South of rangelands have been my friends. This Africa for a visit to my friends who feel like land is more than a place to live or work; it family and the pieces of my heart that is something alive and amazing that stayed in the open veld. deserves the best care. Abbey Kingdon, age 23, the daughter Until the interview with Savory, I didn’t of a cattle ranching family, grew up in know how to make a change, how to work Northeastern California. She graduated toward giving rangelands the best care. So from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and I left. Like most children of a rural recently completed a Holistic community, like most of my friends and Management internship with Holistic classmates, I exchanged the dwindling Management educators on cattle farms rural economy for college, a career, and a Kingdon cattle at the Johnson Ranch, Indian Valley, in South Africa. She is the River Center fastpaced life. When I met Savory, I saw being moved with dogs Lucy and Todd. Taylorsville, the Director for The River Center in Alturas, that there was a chance for my generation author’s hometown, sits behind her parents’ ranch. California and can be reached at: to have a healthy, prosperous rural perspective and my future plans, but I didn’t 530/233-5085 or abbeyk@hdo.net. existence, as Holistic Management provides the realize it until my introduction to Holistic tools to account for the triple bottom line: Management. This article has been reprinted by financial, social, and ecological wealth. With Today, I am pursuing a career in natural permission from Abbey Kingdon and this tool, my thinking became positive. It gave resource management in Modoc County, Rangelands, (Alliance Communications me hope. The happy outdoor freedom of my California, and getting into the cattle business. Group). childhood had tremendous power over my N u m b e r 10 5
h IN PRACTICE
17
Certified
Educators
To our knowledge, Certified Educators are the best qualified individuals to help others learn to practice Holistic Management and to provide them with technical assistance when necessary. On a yearly basis, Certified Educators renew their agreement to be affiliated with HMI. This agreement requires their commitment to practice Holistic Management in their own lives, to seek out opportunities for staying current with the latest developments in Holistic Management and to maintain a high standard of ethical conduct in their work. For more information about or application forms for the U.S., Africa, or International Certified Educator Training Programs, contact Kelly Pasztor or visit our website at: www.holisticmanagement.org * These educators provide Holistic Management instruction on behalf of the institutions they represent. UNITED STATES ARIZONA Tim Morrison 230 1st Ave N, Phoenix, AZ 85003 602/280-8803 • tim.morrison@nacdnet.net CALIFORNIA Monte Bell 325 Meadowood Dr., Orland, CA 95963 530/865-3246 • mbell95963@yahoo.com Julie Bohannon 652 Milo Terrace, Los Angeles, CA 90042 323/257-1915 • JoeBoCom@pacbell.net Bill Burrows 12250 Colyear Springs Rd., Red Bluff, CA 96080 530/529-1535 • sunflowercrmp@msn.com Marquita Chamblee 960 Tulare Ave, Albany, CA 94707-2540 chamblee@msu.edu Richard King 1675 Adobe Rd., Petaluma, CA 94954 707/769-1490 • 707/794-8692 (w) richard.king@ca.usda.gov Tim McGaffic 13592 Bora Bora Way #327 Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 310/741-0167 • tim@timmcgaffic.com Kelly Mulville 225 Portola State Park, Lahonda, CA 94020 650/704-5157 (c) 650/917-6120 (w) jackofallterrains@hotmail.com Christopher Peck P.O. Box 2286, Sebastopol, CA 95472 707/758-0171 • ctopherp@holistic-solutions.net Rob Rutherford CA Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 805/75-1475 • rrutherf@calpoly.edu Tom Walther 5550 Griffin St., Oakland, CA 94605 510/530-6410 • 510/482-1846 • tagjag@aol.com COLORADO Joel Benson P.O. Box 4924, Buena Vista, CO 81211 719/395-6119 • joel@joelnlaurie.com Cindy Dvergsten 17702 County Rd. 23, Dolores, CO 81323 970/882-4222 • info@wholenewconcepts.com Rio de la Vista P.O. Box 777, Monte Vista, CO 81144 719/850-2255 • riovista@rmi.net Daniela and Jim Howell P.O. Box 67, Cimarron, CO 81220-0067 970/249-0353 • howelljd@montrose.net Craig Leggett 2078 County Rd. 234, Durango, CO 81301 970/259-8998 • crleggett@sisna.com Chadwick McKellar 16775 Southwood Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80908 719/495-4641 • cmckellar@juno.com
18
IN PRACTICE
h
Byron Shelton 33900 Surrey Lane, Buena Vista, CO 81211 719/395-8157 • landmark@my.amigo.net GEORGIA Constance Neely 1160 Twelve Oaks Circle, Watkinsville, GA 30677 706/310-0678 • cneely@holisticmanagement.org IDAHO Amy Driggs 1132 East E St., Moscow, ID 83843 208/310-6664 (w) • adriggs@orbusinternational.com IOWA Bill Casey 1800 Grand Ave., Keokuk, IA 52632-2944 319/524-5098 • wpccasey@interl.net LOUISIANA Tina Pilione P.O. 923, Eunice, LA 70535 phone: 337/580-0068 • tinamp@charter.net MAINE Vivianne Holmes 239 E. Buckfield Rd., Buckfield, ME 04220-4209 207/336-2484 • vholmes@umext.maine.edu Tobey Williamson 52 Center Street Portland, ME 04101 207/774-2458 x115 • tobey@bartongingold.com MASSACHUSETTS * Christine Jost Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine 200 Westboro Rd., North Grafton, MA 01536 508/887-4763 • christine.jost@tufts.edu MICHIGAN Ben Bartlett N 4632 ET Rd., Travnik, MI 49891 906/439-5210 (h) 906/439-5880 (w) bartle18@msu.edu MINNESOTA Gretchen Blank 4625 Cottonwood Lane N, Plymouth, MN 55442-2902 763/553-9922 • gretchenblank@comcast.net Terri Goodfellow-Heyer 4660 Cottonwood Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55442 763/559-0099 • tgheyer@comcast.net MISSISSIPPI Preston Sullivan 610 Ed Sullivan Lane, NE, Meadville, MS 39653 601/384-5310 • prestons@nwaisp.com MONTANA Elizabeth Bird 3009 Langohr Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715 406/586-8799 • ebird@montana.edu Wayne Burleson RT 1, Box 2780, Absarokee, MT 59001 406/328-6808 • rutbuster@montana.net
January / February 2 0 0 6
Roland Kroos 4926 Itana Circle, Bozeman, MT 59715 406/522-3862 • KROOSING@msn.com * Cliff Montagne Montana State University Department of Land Resources & Environmental Science Bozeman, MT 59717 406/994-5079 • montagne@montana.edu NEBRASKA Terry Gompert P.O. Box 45, Center, NE 68724-0045 402/288-5611 (w) • tgompert1@unl.edu NEW HAMPSHIRE Seth Wilner 104 Cornish Turnpike, Newport, NH 03773 603/863-4497 (h) 603/863-9200 (w) seth.wilner@unh.edu NEW MEXICO * Ann Adams The Savory Center 1010 Tijeras NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 505/842-5252 • anna@holisticmanagement.org Mark Duran 58 Arroyo Salado #B, Santa Fe, NM 87508 505/422-2280 • markjodu@aol.com Kirk Gadzia P.O. Box 1100, Bernalillo, NM 87004 505/867-4685 • fax: 505/867-0262 kgadzia@earthlink.net Ken Jacobson 12101 Menaul Blvd. NE, Ste A Albuquerque, NM 87112; 505/293-7570 kbjacobson@orbusinternational.com * Kelly (Pasztor) White The Savory Center 1010 Tijeras NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 505/842-5252 • kellyp@holisticmanagement.org Sue Probart P.O. Box 81827, Albuquerque, NM 87198 505/265-4554 • tnm@treenm.com David Trew 369 Montezuma Ave. #243, Santa Fe, NM 87501 505/751-0471 • trewearth@aol.com Vicki Turpen 03 El Nido Amado SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121 505/873-0473 • kaytelnido@aol.com NEW YORK Erica Frenay 454 Old 76 Road, Brooktondale, NY 14817 607/539-3246 (h) 607/279-7978 (c) • efrenay22@yahoo.com Phil Metzger 99 N. Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815 607/334-3231 x4 (w); 607/334-2407 (h) phil.metzger@ny.usda.gov Karl North 3501 Hoxie Gorge Rd., Marathon, NY 13803 607/849-3328 • northsheep@juno.com John Thurgood 44 West St. Ste 1, Walton, NY 13856 607/832-4617 • 607/865-7090 • jmt20@cornell.edu NORTH CAROLINA Sam Bingham 394 Vanderbilt Rd., Asheville, NC 28803 828/274-1309 • sbingham@igc.org NORTH DAKOTA * Wayne Berry University of North Dakota—Williston P.O. Box 1326, Williston, ND 58802 701/774-4269 or 701/774-4200 wayne.berry@wsc.nodak.edu OKLAHOMA Kim Barker RT 2, Box 67, Waynoka, OK 73860 580/824-9011 • barker_k@hotmail.com
PENNSYLVANIA Jim Weaver 428 Copp Hollow Rd. Wellsboro, PA 16901-8976 570/724-7788 • jaweaver@epix.net TEXAS Christina Allday-Bondy 2703 Grennock Dr., Austin, TX 78745 512/441-2019 • tododia@sbcglobal.net Guy Glosson 6717 Hwy 380, Snyder, TX 79549 806/237-2554 • glosson@caprock-spur.com Jennifer Hamre 602 W. St. Johns Ave., Austin, TX 78752 512/374-0104; yosefahanah@yahoo.com Peggy Maddox P.O. Box 694, Ozona, TX 76943-0694 325/392-2292 • westgift@earthlink.net * R.H. (Dick) Richardson University of Texas at Austin Department of Integrative Biology Austin, TX 78712 512/471-4128 • d.richardson@mail.utexas.edu Peggy Sechrist 25 Thunderbird Rd. Fredericksburg, TX 78624 830/990-2529 • sechrist@ktc.com Elizabeth Williams 4106 Avenue B Austin, TX 78751-4220 512/323-2858 • e-liz@austin.rr.com WASHINGTON Craig Madsen P.O. Box 107, Edwall, WA 99008 509/236-2451 madsen2fir@centurytel.net Sandra Matheson 228 E. Smith Rd. Bellingham, WA 98226 360/398-7866 • smm1@gte.net * Don Nelson Washington State University P.O. Box 646310, Pullman, WA 99164 509/335-2922 • nelsond@wsu.edu Maurice Robinette S. 16102 Wolfe Rd., Cheney, WA 99004 509/299-4942 • mlr@icehouse.net Doug Warnock 151 Cedar Cove Rd., Ellensburg, WA 98926 509/925-9127 • warnockd@elltel.net WEST VIRGINIA Fred Hayes P.O. Box 241, Elkview, WV 25071 304/548-7117 • sustainableresources@hotmail.com Steve Ritz HC 63, Box 2240, Romney, WV 26757 304/822-5818; 304/822-3020 steve.ritz@wv.usda.gov WISCONSIN Heather Flashinski 1633 Valmont Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701-4448 715/552-7861 • heather.flashinski@rcdnet.net Andy Hager W. 3597 Pine Ave., Stetsonville, WI 54480-9559 715/678-2465 • ahager@tds.net Larry Johnson W886 State Road 92, Brooklyn, WI 53521 608/455-1685 • lpjohn@rconnect.com Laura Paine P.O. Box 567, Portage, WI 53901-0567 608/742-9682 (h) 920/623-447? (w) laura.paine@ces.uwex.edu
INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA Mark Gardner P.O. Box 1395, Dubbo, NSW 2830 61-2-6882-0605 mark.g@ozemail.com.au George Gundry Willeroo, Tarago, NSW 2580 048-446-223 • ggundry@bigpond.net.au Steve Hailstone 5 Lampert Rd., Crafers, SA 5152 61-4-1882-2212 hailstone@internode.on.net Graeme Hand “Inverary” Caroona Lane, Branxholme, VIC 3302 61-3-5578-6272 • 61-4-1853-2130 gshand@hotkey.net.au Helen Lewis P.O. Box 1263, Warwick, QLD 4370 61-7-46617393 • 61-7-46670835 helen@insideoutmgt.com.au Paul Griffiths P.O. Box 3045 North Turramura, NSW 2074 61-029-1443975 • pgpres@geko.net.au Brian Marshall P.O. Box 300, Guyra NSW 2365 61-2-6779-1927 • fax: 61-2-6779-1947 bkmrshl@northnet.com.au Bruce Ward P.O. Box 103, Milsons Pt., NSW 1565 61-2-9929-5568 • fax: 61-2-9929-5569 blward@holisticresults.com.au Brian Wehlburg c/o “Sunnyholt”, Injue, QLD 4454 61-7-4626-7187 • ijapo2000@yahoo.com CANADA Don and Randee Halladay Box 2, Site 2, RR 1 Rocky Mountain House, AB, T0M 1T0 403/729-2472 • donran@telusplanet.net Noel McNaughton 5704-144 St., Edmondton, AB, T6H 4H4s 780/432-5492 • noel@mcnaughton.ca Len Pigott Box 222, Dysart, SK, SOH 1HO 306/432-4583 • JLPigott@sasktel.net Kelly Sidoryk Box 374, Lloydminster, AB, S9V 0Y4 403/875-4418 • hi-gain@telusplanet.net MEXICO Ivan Aguirre La Inmaculada Apdo. Postal 304, Hermosillo, Sonora 83000 tel/fax: 52-915-613-4282 rancho_inmaculada@yahoo.com Elco Blanco-Madrid Hacienda de la Luz 1803 Fracc. Haciendas del Valle II Chihuahua Chih., 31238 52-614-423-4413 (h) • 52-614-107-8960 (c) elco_blanco@hotmail.com Manuel Casas-Perez Calle Amarguva No. 61 Lomas Herradura Huixquilucan, Mexico City CP 52785 52-55-5291-3934 (w) 52-55-54020090 (c) Jose Ramon “Moncho” Villar Av. Las Americas #1178 Fracc. Cumbres, Saltillo, Coahuila 25270 52-844-415-1542 jrvilla@att.net.mx
NAMIBIA Gero Diekmann P.O. Box 363, Okahandja 9000 264-62-518091 • nam00132@mweb.com.na Colin Nott P.O. Box 11977, Windhoek 264-61-228506 canott@iafrica.com.na Wiebke Volkmann P.O. Box 182, Otavi 264-67-234-557 or 264-81-127-0081 wiebke@mweb.com.na NEW ZEALAND John King P.O. Box 12011 Beckenham, Christchurch 8030 64-3-338-5506 succession@clear.net.nz SOUTH AFRICA Sheldon Barnes P.O. Box 300, Kimberly 8300 barnesfarm@mweb.co.za Johan Blom P.O. Box 568, Graaf-Reinet 6280 27-49-891-0163 johanblom@cybertrade.co.za Ian Mitchell-Innes P.O. Box 52, Elandslaagte 2900 27-36-421-1747 blanerne@mweb.co.za Norman Neave P.O. Box 69, Mtubatuba 3935 27-084-2452/62 norberyl@telkomsa.net Dick Richardson P.O. Box 1806, Vryburg 8600 tel/fax: 27-53-927-4367 judyrich@cybertrade.co.za Colleen Todd P.O. Box 21, Hoedspruit 1380 27-82-335-3901 (cell) colleen_todd@yahoo.com SPAIN Aspen Edge Apartado de Correos 19 18420 Lanjaron Granada (0034)-958-347-053 aspen@holisticdecisions.com ZAMBIA Mutizwa Mukute Pelum Zambia Office P.O. Box 36524, Lusaka 260-1-261119/261124/261118/263514 pelum@kepa.org.zm ZIMBABWE Liberty Mabhena Spring Cabinet P.O. Box 853, Harare 263-4-210021/2 • 263-4-210577/8 fax: 263-4-210273 Huggins Matanga Private Bag 5950, Victoria Falls 263-11-404-979 hmatanga@mweb.co.zw Elias Ncube P. Bag 5950, Victoria Falls 263-3-454519 achmcom@africaonline.co.zw
N u m b e r 10 5
h IN PRACTICE
19
Network Affiliates
There are several branch organizations or groups affiliated with Holistic Management in the U.S. and abroad (some publish their own newsletters.) We encourage you to contact the group closest to you:
UNITED STATES ARIZONA HRM of Arizona Norm Lowe 2660 E. Hemberg, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 928/214-0040 • loweflag@aol.com CALIFORNIA Holistic Management of California Tom Walther, newsletter editor 5550 Griffin St. Oakland, CA 94605 510-530-6410; tagjag@aol.com COLORADO Colorado Branch For Holistic Management Megan Phillips, newletter editor PO Box 310, Mesa, CO 81643 970-487-3515 edit@coloradoholisticmanagement.org GEORGIA Constance Neely SANREM CRSP 1422 Experiment Station Watkinsville, GA 30677 706/769-3792 cneely@holisticmanagement.org MONTANA Beartooth Management Club Wayne Burleson RT 1, Box 2780, Absarokee, MT 59001 406/328-6808 rutbuster@montana.net
NEWYORK Billie Best Regional Farm & Food Project 295 Eighth St., Troy, NY 12180 518/271-0744; www.farmandfood.org billie@farmandfood.org Central NY RC&D Phil Metzger 99 North Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815 607/334-3231, ext. 4 phil.metzger@ny.usda.gov
TEXAS HRM of Texas Peggy Cole, Executive Director 5 Limestone Trail, Wimberley, TX 78676 512-847-3822 pcole@hrm-texas.org www.hrm-texas.org
INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA Judi Earl 73 Harding E. Guyra, NSW 2365 61-267-792286 judiearl@kooee.com.au
NORTHWEST Managing Wholes Peter Donovan 501 South St., Enterprise, OR 97828 541/426-2145 www.managingwholes.com OKLAHOMA Oklahoma Land Stewardship Alliance Charles Griffith, contact person Route 5, Box E44, Ardmore, OK 73401 580/223-7471 cagriffith@brightok.net PENNSYLVANIA Northern Penn Network Jim Weaver, contact person 428 Copp Hollow Rd. Wellsboro, PA 16901 717/724-7788; jaweaver@epix.net
West Station for Holistic Management Peggy Maddox PO Box 694, Ozona, TX 76943 325-392-2292 westgift@earthlink.net
CANADA Canadian Holistic Management Lee Pengilly Box 216, Stirling AB, T0K 2E0 403-327-9262 MEXICO Fundacion para Fomentar el Manejo Holistico, A.C., Jose Ramon Villar, President Ave. Las Cumbres Saltillo Coahuila 25270 tel/fax:52-844-415-1542 jrvilla@att.net.mx
Elco Blanco-Madrid, Director of Education Hacienda de la Luz 1803 Fracc. Haciendas del Valle II Chihuahua, Chih. C.P. 31238 52-614-423-4413 (h) 52-614-107-8960 (c) NAMIBIA Namibia Centre for Holistic Management Argo Rust, contact person P.O. Box 23600, Windhoek 9000 tel/fax: 62-540430; 62-81-2463319 argo@iway.na SOUTH AFRICA Community Dynamics (Newsletter in English) Dick & Judy Richardson P.O. Box 1806, Vryburg 8600 tel/fax: 27-53-9274367 communitydynamics@cybertrade.co.za
THE MARKETPLACE
HANDS-ON AGRONOMY BASIC SOIL FERTILITY GUIDELINES
A new edition of this book is due early 2006. Order the 80-minute video today to learn the highlights of Neal Kinsey’s work! Visit www.kinseyag.com to learn more $30 about the basic soil fertility guidelines (plus shipping) and check on course schedules. (PAL orders add $5)
For consulting or educational services contact:
Kinsey’s Agricultural Services 297 County Highway 357, Charleston, Missouri 63834 Phone: 573-683-3880; Fax: 573-683-6227 Email: neal@kinseyag.com
We accept credit card orders (Visa, MC)
20
IN PRACTICE
h
January / February 2 0 0 6
&REE &ENCE 4ESTER WITH %VERY 0URCHASE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE
%NERGIZER 6 "ATTERY 3TRIPGRAZER %NERGIZER K?< jXL
Õ> Ê«Õ ÃiÊ `i } >ÃÌ }ÊL>ÌÌiÀÞÊ vi
«iÀ>Ìi`Ê Ê ÀÀi}Õ >ÀÊ*Õ Ãi ÊL>ÌÌiÀÞÊÜ Ê >ÃÌÊÕ«ÊÌ Ê{äÊ Üii ÃÊÜ i ÊÕà }ÊÀiV i `i`ÊL>ÌÌiÀÞÊ
} iÀÊ ÕÌ«ÕÌÊÕ `iÀÊ >`
ÕÌÊ«iÀv À ÃÊÃ >ÀÊÕ ÌÃÊÕ `iÀÊ >`
} iÛi ÊÃ>viÌÞÊvi>ÌÕÀià > ` }ÊV Ûi i Vi
NATIONWIDE DISTRIBUTION San Angelo, Texas
Proudly serving Holistic Management Practitioners since 1978! En Mexico: Tele y fax: 1-800-640-3156
`>Ü>ÞÊV>ÀÀÞÊ > ` i - « iÊ}À Õ `ÊÀ `Ê>ÌÌ>V i Ì
800 527-0990
www.twinmountainfence.com
N u m b e r 10 5
h IN PRACTICE
21
THE MARKETPLACE CORRAL DESIGNS
HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT TRAINING & CONSULTING
Kirk Gadzia Certified Educator
By World Famous Dr. Grandin Originator of Curved Ranch Corrals The wide curved Lane makes filling the crowding tub easy. Includes detailed drawings for loading ramp, V chute, round crowd pen, dip vat, gates and hinges. Plus cell center layouts and layouts compatible with electronic sorting systems. Articles on cattle behavior. 27 corral layouts. $55. Low Stress Cattle Handling Video $59. Send checks/money order to:
GRANDIN LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS 2918 Silver Plume Dr., Unit C-3 Fort Collins, CO 80526
970/229-0703 www.grandin.com
Holistic Management® Financial Eliminates the drudgery of doing all Planning calculations by hand Software Reduces math errors and allows you ■
■
to “experiment” with a variety of planning scenarios, quickly and easily ■ Automates the “Annual Income & Expense Plan,” including all supporting “Worksheets” (including the Livestock Production worksheet)
OW! ORDER N
only
$249
plus shipping and handling. Note: This price is for a single-user license to use this software on a single computer only.
Order electronic version (includes user manual) with no shipping charges (must have email address and be able to receive attachments)
To run this software package you must have the following: ■ PC with Microsoft Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups 3.11, or Windows ‘95 or higher ■ Spreadsheet software—works with Office ‘95, ‘97, 2000, XP, and 2003.
IN PRACTICE
h
Introduction to Holistic Management Courses February 6-10, 2006 Albuquerque, New Mexico
Contact: Kirk Gadzia P.O. Box 1100 Bernalillo, NM 87004 kgadzia@earthlink.net www.resourcemanagementservices.com Ph: 505/867-4685
Fax: 505/867-0262
INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE Ranch & Rangeland Manager Training Program Next Program Starts in August 2006
• Maximize profit and minimize risk an independent study found our alumni averaged 300% more profit
• Maximize forage and animal production and
minimize inputs • Maximize peace of mind and minimize stress Our Holistic Management® Ranch and Rangeland Managers Training Program covers this and much more –
NOW AVAILABLE FOR OFFICE 2003 See back page for ordering information
22
Kirk Gadzia has over 15 years experience conducting Holistic Management training sessions worldwide and assisting people on the land in solving real problems. With his hands-on, results-oriented approach, Kirk is uniquely qualified to help your organization achieve its goals.
January / February 2 0 0 6
For information contact Kelly Pasztor at: 505/842-5252 or kellyp@holisticmanagement.org www.holisticmanagement.org/wwo_rr.cfm
THE MARKETPLACE
OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY! Savory Center Membership Merchandise on Sale AT COST! Organic Cotton Hats w/ embroidered logo
$12 Organic cotton T-shirts
$6 Get them while supplies last! Order from
Organic cotton Tote bags (18” x 16”)
$8
Holistic Management International
505/842-5252 • 505/843-7900 (fax) • hmi@holisticmanagement.org
CLASSIFIEDS Are you not as quick on your feet as you once were?
SUPPLIES
5 Bar Beef Harvesting the Deserts of the World
Can’t find help when you need to doctor sick Livestock? Have you lost Livestock because you were unable to medicate or catch them?
Since 1957 we have been in the business of helping with these problems.
PALMER CAP-CHUR EQUIPMENT, INC. 800/294-9462 FAX: 770/949-3562 email: info@palmercap-chur.com
LIVESTOCK
BARZONA RANGE BULLS F.J. FITZPATRICK • HIGHLY GREGARIOUS DESERT CATTLE 714/749-5717 • P.O. BOX 41 • SILVERADO, CA 92676 frank@5barbeef.com
Featherman PRO
PUBLICATIONS
Pluckers and scalders 660/684-6035 or
www.schaferfarmsnaturalmeats.com
The Range Ad P/U from #104 page 23
N u m b e r 10 5
h IN PRACTICE
23
HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT MAIL ORDER EMPORIUM Subscribe to IN PRACTICE
Pocket Cards
_ A bimonthly journal for Holistic Management practitioners
Holistic Management® model & testing questions, March 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$4
Subscribe for 1 year for only $30/U.S. ($35/International) 2 years ($55/U.S.; $65/International) 3 years ($80/U.S.; $90/International)
Planning and Monitoring Guides _The Complete Holistic Management®
_ Special Edition: An Introduction to Holistic Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5 _ Audio Cassette Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12 _ Compact Disk Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14 _ Bulk subscriptions available.
Planning and Monitoring Guide September 2000, 192 page 3-ring binder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$45 _Financial Planning May 2000, 44 pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15 _Aide Memoire for Grazing Planning May 2000, 46 pages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15 _Early Warning Biological Monitoring— Croplands April 2000, 26 pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14 _Early Warning Biological Monitoring—Rangelands and Grasslands January 1999, 32 pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14 _Land Planning—For The Rancher or Farmer Running Livestock January 1999, 36 pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15
One year for $17 each/U.S., or $22 each/International (To qualify you must order 7 or more one-year subscriptions, paid in full. Issues will be sent in bulk to one address for distribution at your end). ______ Please indicate number of one-year subscriptions
_ Back Issues: $5 each; bulk orders (5 or more issues) $3 each. List Please indicate issue numbers desired: ___,___,___,___,___,___,___,___,___,___
_ CD of Back Issues: #71 - 89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25 Books & Multimedia Holistic Management: A New Framework for Decision-Making,
_ Second Edition, by Allan Savory with Jody Butterfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30 _ Hardcover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50 _ 15-set CD or tape collection (circle choice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $99 _ One month rental of CD or tape collection (circle choice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35 _ At Home With Holistic Management, by Ann Adams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20 _ Holistic Management: A New Environmental Intelligence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10 _ Improving Whole Farm Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10 _ Video: Creating a Sustainable Civilization— _ _ _ _ _
Planning Forms (All forms are padded - 25 sheets per pad) _Annual Income & Expense Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17 _Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 7 _Livestock Production Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17 _Control Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 5 _Grazing Plan & Control Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15 Membership Items _Savory Center Membership/Gift Membership
An Introduction to Holistic Decision-Making, based on a lecture given by Allan Savory. (Please specify if you want PAL format) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $29 Stockmanship, by Steve Cote. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35 The Grassfed Gourmet Cookbook, by Shannon Hayes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30 The Oglin, by Dick Richardson & Rio de la Vista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 Gardeners of Eden, by Dan Dagget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25 Video: Healing the Land Through Multi-Species Grazing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30
(international add $5/each) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$30
_Organic Cotton Cap w/ logo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$20 _Organic Cotton T-shirt w/ logo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15 _Organic Cotton Totebag w/ logo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15 _All the Time in the World CD or Cassette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$7 MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION
Software Holistic Management® Financial Planning (single-user license) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $249
Amount $_____________ Please designate program you would like us
Please specify PC or Mac, Office ‘95 or ‘97, 2000, XP, or 2003 and version of Excel you are using
to apply contribution toward _________________________________________
TO ORDER
Questions? 505/842-5252 or savorycenterholisticmanagement.org
Indicate quantity in box preceding item, print shipping address at right, mail this page (or a copy) and your check or international money order payable in U.S. funds from a U.S. bank only to: Holistic Management International, 1010 Tijeras NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 Credit card orders: 505/842-5252, or fax: 505/843-7900. For online ordering visit our secure website at: www.holisticmanagement.org
SHIPPING AND HANDLING up to $15: $16 to $35: $36 to $50: $51 to $70: $71 to $90: over $91:
add $ 5 add $ 6 add $ 8 add $ 9 add $10 add $12
To rates at left, for: Canada & Mexico Other countries
add $ 5 add $10
All shipping is surface or media mail. Contact HMI for shipping rates for priority, express or air mail.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALBUQUERQUE, NM PERMIT NO 880
a publication of Holistic Management International 1010 Tijeras NW Albuquerque, NM 87102 USA return service requested
please send address corrections before moving so that we do not incur unnecessary postal fees
Printed on recycled paper