top of page
Writer's pictureAnn Adams

HMI Celebrating 40 Years of Holistic Regenerative Agriculture


HMI 40th Anniversary Logo

Since Holistic Management International began its global journey of holistic regenerative agriculture in 1984, we’ve had the honor to work with thoughtful land managers who look not only at what’s good for today, but what’s good for the future.


As we reflect on the past 40 years, we acknowledge the hard work of these many producers who have developed on-farm/ranch research projects that they have run themselves or in collaboration with research teams. They wanted to share their innovations and not hoard them or worry about competition.


Cottonwood Ranch riparian area after Holistic Management
Cottonwood Ranch riparian area after Holistic Management

They wanted their neighbors and community members to also have opportunity to improve their land, animals, and businesses so that the community as a whole could thrive. Their results have included:


•        300% increase in plant species

•        100% increase in soil carbon

•        400% increase in stocking rate

•        100% decrease in production costs

•        50% decrease in bare ground

•        800% increase in soil permeability

•        300% increase in profitability

•        500% increase in riparian bird population

•        900% increase in rooting depth of plants

 

Obviously, not everyone has achieved these types of improvements, but we know that many other practitioners have experienced similar “amazing” results that have been written up in articles or talked about in podcasts.


Alejandro Carrillo of Las Damas Ranch standing in Chihuahuan grassland
Alejandro Carrillo of Las Damas Ranch

We’re grateful for the inspiration and foundational work of Allan Savory both at HMI and within the Holistic Management network. Thanks to the insight and diversity of a worldwide network of HMI Certified Educators, we’ve been able to train over 90,000 people who influence over 133 million acres of land in 150 countries.


We also want to acknowledge that the generosity of our funders, supporters, and collaborators have made all these outcomes possible.


We look forward to the next 40 years with hope, knowing that what we’ve accomplished together so far is making a lasting, vital impact on the world we will one day leave behind. Thank you to all who have been a part of it and to all who heed the call of making the world better than how they found it.


We are truly rooted together in a legacy of helping to create a better future for all.

              

Sheep grazing on healthy pastures at Arriola Sunshine Farm, Colorado
Arriola Sunshine Farm, Colorado

As part of our 40th Anniversary Celebration we have awarded 40 HMI Outstanding Holistic Management Demonstration Site Awards to 40 Holistic Management practitioners from around the world who are role models in their communities. These awards recognize the ranches and farms that are such great examples of strong land stewardship and where the managers are integrating the practice of Holistic Management as well as the many other tools they employ to improve land and animal health.

Cattle grazing in healthy stand of big bluestem at San Pedro Ranch Texas
San Pedro Ranch Texas

We only award producers who meet the following criteria:

  1. Recognized by others in their area as a good land steward

  2. Provide educational programming (field days, etc.)

  3. Talk about how Holistic Management is a part of their management toolbox

  4. Have been practicing Holistic Management for at least 5 years

  5. Demonstrate Holistic Management practices (ie. Holistic goal, written holistic grazing plan, etc.)

  6. Has monitoring evidence to back up claims that management practice has improved soil or land health.

  7. Have volunteered their time as collaborators within the Holistic Management community.

We are proud to recognize the individuals who have met these exacting criteria and who are a valued part of the Holistic Management community. Below is a list of the award winners.


Gail Fuller showing root mass of healthy plants at Circle 7 by Fuller Farms Kansas
Gail Fuller of Circle 7 by Fuller Farms Kansas

2024

The Doan family riding their horses on the Black Leg Ranch in North Dakota
Doan Family of the Black Leg Ranch, North Dakota

3R Ranch, Colorado, USA

Ackley Farm, Iowa, USA

Alderspring Ranch, Idaho, USA

Allendale, New South Wales, AUS

B-C Ranch, Saskatchewan, CAN

Blackleg Ranch, North Dakota, USA

Boxgum Grazing, New South Wales, AUS

CJ Ranching, Saskatchewan, CAN

The Elzinga Family of Alderspring Ranch in Idaho getting ready to herd their cattle for the summer.
The Elzinga Family of Alderspring Ranch, Idaho

Coolwoola Plains, Central Victoria, AUS

Cottonwood Ranch, Nevada, USA

Faith Hollow Farm, Texas, USA

Flying Diamond Ranch, Colorado, USA

Gavelin Farms, Saskatchewan, CAN

Green Fields Farm, Texas, USA

Greenacres Farm, Ohio, USA

Shangani Holistic Ranch, Matabeleland South Province, ZWE

Tim May of Kingsclere Estates in the UK standing on a dairy cattle pasture.
Tim May of Kingsclere Estates in the UK

Kingsclere Estates, Hampshire, UK

KW Cattle Co, Alberta, CAN

Las Damas Ranch, Chihuahua, MEX

Milton Ranch, Montana, USA

Phepson Farm, Worcestershire, UK

San Pedro Ranch, Texas, USA

Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, USA

Seek First Ranch, North Dakota, USA

Sidonia Beef, Victoria, AUS

Tracy Litle of Faith Hollow Farm Texas leading a soil health workshop.
Tracy Litle at Faith Hollow Farm Texas leading a soil health workshop.

Southworth Ranch, Oregon, USA

Stoney Creek Farm, Minnesota, USA

Ted Chamberlin Ranch, California, USA

The Conscious Farmer, New South Wales, AUS

The Regen Ranch, Texas, USA

V6 Ranch, California, USA

Walnut Creek Farm, Oklahoma, USA




Healthy and diverse forage at the Imperial Stock Ranch Oregon
Imperial Stock Ranch Oregon

Previously Awarded

77 Ranch, Texas, USA

Herding cattle on horseback at the Varian Ranch in California
Varian Ranch California

Brown Ranch, North Dakota, USA

Circle Ranch, Texas, USA

Date Creek Ranch, Arizona, USA

Durham Bison Ranch, Wyoming, USA

Frantzen Farm, Iowa, USA

Green Pasture Farm, Missouri, USA

James Ranch, Colorado, USA

This lush pasture area is the vision that the Ackley family have for the whole Ackley Farm.
Ackley Farm in Iowa

JX Ranch Natural Beef, New Mexico, USA

Morris Grassfed, California, USA

Paicines Ranch, California, USA

Polyface Farm, Virginia, USA

Ranney Ranch, New Mexico, USA

Richards Ranch, Texas, USA

Springbokvley Farm, Hardap, NAM

Sunnybrae Farms, Saskatchewan, CAN


cattle grazing healthy pastures at Trewalla Farm in Australia
Trewalla Farm in Australia

Additionally, as part of our 40th celebration, we honored some of our key collaborators, educators, and staff with the following awards:

The Focus Forward Award to P. Wade Ross, CEO of the Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers Community Based Organization.

The Legacy Educator Award to Don Campbell of Saskatchewan, Canada.

The Legacy Producer to Louis Martin of Round River Resources and the Brett Gray Ranch, Colorado.

The Cornerstone Award to Education Director Ann Adams.

We also created a new Holistic Management video titled, "Your Journey Starts Here."

Thanks for taking this journey with us!

bottom of page