Across the Country, Ranchers and Wildlife Workers Swap Their Day Jobs

The new ‘Walk a Mile in My Boots’ exchange program between U.S. cattle ranchers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) employees has hit the ground running. Since its official launch this summer, exchanges have already taken place in Texas, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.  The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the FWS worked together to create this program, providing an unprecedented opportunity for cattle ranchers and FWS employees to learn more about each other’s lifestyles.

“All of the recent exchanges have been such rewarding experiences for everyone,” says Stephanie Tinsley, NCBA associate director of environmental issues. “We really have received great feedback from both FWS participants and ranchers.  Many of our members have long been concerned that their local FWS officials do not understand the priorities and challenges of cattle producers, and this sure changes that.”

In Montana…

Montana ranchers Bob and Kathy Lee hosted Dan Brewer, a fisheries biologist from the Helena, Mont., Ecological Services Field Office, for three hard-working days at their Robert E. Lee Ranch Co. near Judith Gap.

”We had a great time participating in the ‘Walk A Mile In My Boots’ program with Dan,” says Bob Lee. “He definitely got hands-on experience out on the ranch, and was enthusiastic and willing to learn about what we do here. The first day was filled with sorting cow/calf pairs and moving cattle by semi-truck, day two was spent indexing calves, sorting and moving cow/calf pairs in preparation for marketing (shipping) day.  On the third day, we hosted 120 participants at the ranch for a Montana Ag Tour.” 

Brewer has invited Lee to visit the FWS in a parallel exchange program. Lee says he will take him up on the offer this winter. “We feel we have established a long term relationship with FWS and Dan,” says Lee.

In Wyoming…

Ranchers Alan and Lindi Kirkbride hosted Nebraska Partners for Fish and Wildlife Biologist Kyle Graham at their ranch in Cheyenne, Wyo., for three days in late October. 

"I had an AWESOME time with the Kirkbrides!” exclaims Graham.  “Participating with the day-to-day activities on the ranch helped me understand the ‘behind the scenes’ actions required on a working cattle ranch.  I gained an insight into the limited options a rancher has to maintain a profitable ranch.  Sometimes the rancher has to make decisions he would rather not, but there are no other viable options.  I also became more aware of the interest ranchers have in the health of land and the conditions of the animals.  The people I worked with love their work and the land they work on.”

In exchange, a neighbor of the Kirkbrides, Wyoming rancher Doug Scheer, will be doing an exchange with the Assistant Field Supervisor for Cheyenne’s Ecological Services Field Office, Jodi Bush, this winter.

In Idaho…

In Idaho, rancher Jim Little and family hosted Fish Hatchery Manager Bryan Kenworthy for a week on his operation, V Dot Cattle Co., located in Emmett, Idaho.  Kenworthy came over from the Hagerman National Fish Hatchery, which is located along the Snake River, about 30 miles west of Twin Falls.

During the week-long visit, Kenworthy assisted with gathering cattle, vaccinating and working calves.  "I rode a horse over 50 miles during the week, gathering cows and calves off the range or moving cows between pastures,” says Kenworthy. “I helped sort and wean calves. I participated in doctoring cows, and vaccinated, wormed and weighed calves. It was enjoyable, hard work, long hours, and very educational."

Jim Little's daughter Gretchen Hyde will be partaking in the reciprocal part of the exchange at the Ecological Services Field Office in Boise. 

"I think the ‘Walk a Mile in My Boots’ Program is good because it puts a human touch on all of what both of us are trying to deal with,” says Jim Little.  “It is a good thing for both sides -- the ranchers and the Fish and Wildlife Service." 

And in Texas…

Texas rancher Houston Jones and FWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Coordinator Tim Schumann recently began their own exchange.  They will continue the exchange throughout the fall/winter when they will spend time on Jones 's ranch and also work in the field on local FWS projects.  

And, finally, In Our Nation’s Capital…

In an exciting development, NCBA is pleased to announce that Steve Williams, Director of the U.S. FWS, will be hosting two Nebraska ranchers this November, Craig Utter and Mike Kelly. The ranchers will be in Washington for two days of meetings, briefings and informational interviews with the FWS.

“This is a new and exciting exchange program, and we are so glad that the Director is taking time out of his busy schedule to work with these ranchers, one-on-one, “ says Tinsley. “He really wants to understand our members.”

Future plans for exchange programs continue to fill the books, and this winter there are plans in order for California, Kansas, Nevada, Arizona, and Puerto Rico. For more information on how cattle producers can sign up, go to the new website: walkamile.fws.gov or call 202-347-0228.