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Local ranchers follow holistic approach Regenerative practices, lack of antibiotics reflect owners’ philosophy BY GERALDINE SMITH SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Lisa and Lance Wheeler have operated the family-run Rafter W Ranch north of Simla since 2014. Rafter W Ranch utilizes holistic ranching methods that regenerate the soil, providing the animals with nutrientdense food, thus producing nutrient-rich meat. Employing a holistic approach to ranching, they became true stewards of the land, practicing regenerative ranching and Audubon conservation ranching, the latter a certification that guarantees the Wheelers’ commitment to responsible land management. Land management is only one brush stroke on the Rafter W Ranch canvas. Active advocates for humane treatment of ranch animals from birth to slaughter, their portrait is replete with certifications, and examples of true concern
Lisa and Lance Wheeler operate the family Rafter W. Ranch as committed stewards of the land using regenerative practices and are Audubon certified, guaranteeing protection of grassland birds’ habitats, ethically raised and hormone and antibiotic-free animals. GERALDINE SMITH for their animals. This concern never wanes. Monitoring the animal’s care to the end, they chose a processing plant after careful review of the environment and handling the animals receive up to the end.
Humane treatment of the animals is manifest in the distinct flavor of the Rafter W Ranch meat, which includes chicken, sheep, lamb, and Angus and Dexter cattle. The Wheelers feel a responsibility to the animals as
well as their customers and know both benefit from grass feeding and grass finishing practices. When animals are healthy, content and calm throughout their lives. the outcome is quality, tender meat with a
noticeable distinction reinforced by 30-day temperaturecontrolled dry aging. Lisa and Lance Wheeler recently explained their certifications and ranching practices: What is regenerative agriculture? Regenerative ranching is a holistic approach to ranching, realizing all parts contribute to the whole. The idea is to go one step beyond sustainability and do no harm while restoring the land with regenerative technology. Mob-grazing on our land does just that. The term refers to short-duration, high-intensity grazing of many cattle on a small area of pasture, moved several times a day to new forage. We move our cows to a new grazing paddock several times a day, giving the grass time to recover. Allowing the grass to recover, the growing plants receive carbon from the air and return it to the soil, replenishing lost carbon which is the basis of soil fertility. Carbon is vital to growing nutrientdense food for the animals, and carbon-rich soil holds more water. SEE HOLISTIC, P23
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THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
“In a time-compressed world where we are overcommitted and double booked, and we are feeling pressure and stress, we can still make room for gratitude and appreciation.” Michael Norton, columnist | page 8 INSIDE
VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 10
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 124 | ISSUE 16