Ladder Ranch
A Story from the LandHooves on the Ground: A Path to Sustainable Landscape-Scale Water Management
In the arid western United States, the Ladder Ranch makes strategic use of their local water resources to keep their herds healthy and income-producing.
But as the O’Toole family tailors their approach to create productive pastureland, they deliberately pursue the “side effects” of a rich, biodiverse habitat for threatened species; improved soil health; irrigated land to grow crops for income diversification; local trout fisheries; and a beautiful landscape for those who come to their ranch tours to enjoy for even more income diversification. Pat O’Toole believes that an enhanced agroforestry focus that emphasizes the critical relationship between healthy forests and water yield will become a big part of his family’s future.
SfL Pathways: carbon sequestration, soil health, water management
Addressing SDGs: zero hunger, decent work and economic growth, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life on land
Watch Ladder Ranch Work!
Our Vision
An Agricultural Renaissance, led by innovative and entrepreneurial farmers, ranchers and foresters constructing sustainable, profitable and resilient systems that lay the foundation for a world of abundance on many scales capable of producing nutritious food, feed, fiber, clean energy, healthy ecosystems, quality livelihoods, and strong rural economies.
