Dear editor:
Wyoming’s ranching families have long been the backbone of our state’s economy and culture. For generations, we’ve raised cattle, cultivated crops, and cared for the landscapes that define our home. We take great pride in being a part of the industry that puts food on your table and supports our Wyoming way of life.
But today, as Wyoming faces shifting economic pressures and younger generations consider moving away, we must explore new opportunities to preserve our way of life.
Private property rights are the cornerstone of our ranching traditions. These rights empower landowners to decide how best to use their land. They provide the freedom to innovate, diversify, and adapt to changing circumstances. This is particularly important for ranching families, whose livelihoods often depend on unpredictable markets and the whims of Mother Nature. The ability to lease land for renewable energy projects, for example, is a critical opportunity that must remain within our control.
Renewable energy is not just about environmental benefits; it’s about economic stability for Wyoming ranchers. Leasing a portion of ranch land for wind turbines or solar panels provides a steady, reliable income that can help offset rising property taxes, unpredictable weather impacts, and volatile commodity prices. This additional revenue doesn’t mean giving up ranching — it means ensuring it can continue.
We’ve seen firsthand how this kind of diversification can make a difference. By incorporating renewable energy, ranches can fund necessary improvements, like new equipment or fencing, without overextending their budgets. It also allows us to cover operational costs and maintain our lands, ensuring they remain productive for future generations. And with modern renewable energy projects that coexist with agricultural operations, there’s no need to choose between these ventures and our traditional practices.
For many families, the financial security provided by renewable energy income is what enables the next generation to stay in Wyoming. Young people often leave rural areas in search of other careers and opportunities. But when ranches are profitable and resilient, staying home becomes a viable and attractive option. This ensures that the legacy of Wyoming’s ranching heritage isn’t lost and rural communities remain vibrant and connected.
Preserving private property rights is essential to all of this. As ranchers, we understand the value of hard work and independence. When developing our land, we don’t intend to do anything that causes concern to the health, safety, and well-being of our neighbors and communities. We also recognize that our decisions about our land should be ours alone. By safeguarding these rights, Wyoming ensures that ranching families can continue to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world. Whether it’s traditional agriculture or renewable energy, the freedom to choose sustains our livelihoods and supports our communities.
Most of Wyoming’s ranchers are ready to embrace the opportunities that diversification offers. By protecting private property rights and supporting innovative uses of our land, we can ensure that ranching remains a tradition and a thriving part of the Cowboy State’s future. This path forward allows us to honor our heritage while creating new opportunities for our children and grandchildren to carry it on. Let’s keep Wyoming’s ranching legacy alive— stronger and more resilient than ever.
Sincerely,
Mark Eisele and Rick Grant
