UW Extension offers ranch experience with camp

High school graduates and college students can learn hands-on about ranching and the challenges ranchers face in a five-day ranch camp to be offered next month by University of Wyoming Extension educators.

The Wyoming Ranch Camp will be May 24-28 at the Queen Mountain Lodge on the Broadbent Ranch near Evanston. Chance Marshall, extension agriculture and horticulture educator in Fremont-Lander counties, said the program is meant to be well-rounded, including all the topics participants will need to know to run a ranch or be involved in an ag business.

The program is limited to 20 participants and will cost $200 per student, but scholarships are available to cover the fee and will be awarded based on the applicant’s written statement of interest in the program as well as the order in which applications are received. The cost of the camp includes lodging and meals.

Topics of instruction will include meat science, animal science, economics, ranch recreation and range management. Hudson Hill, extension agriculture and horticulture educator in Lincoln-Afton counties, said participants will be asked to put together a ranch management plan to be presented on the last day of the camp. The team that presents the best plan will receive an award.

In addition to scholarships, businesses and individuals are invited to sponsor a participant to the camp. The camp is partially funded by the John P. Ellbogen Foundation.

To apply for the camp, a high school graduate or college student is asked to provide his or her name, address, brief background and a brief statement of interest in the camp of no more than 300 words. Applications may be emailed to cmarshal@uwyo.edu or hrhill@uwy.edu.

Those who want more information about participating or sponsoring a student may also email Marshall or Hill.