FEATURING: Alexis Bonogofsky, Jeff Mundell, Liz Munn, Jared Sorensen.

What is regenerative agriculture? How is it done? What does it mean? Join Alexis Bonogofsky, Jeff Mundell, Liz Munn, and Jared Sorensen to hear from producers about the challenges and opportunities of taking a regenerative land management approach to food production. Panel participants will include ranchers, growers, agroecologists, soil health practitioners, and conservation organizations working with a variety of tools to regenerate landscapes, be it through grazing practices, soil restoration techniques, or other holistic management practices. Learn about the differences and similarities in approaches regionally and internationality. And, address the big question---could regenerative agriculture really change the world?

Hosted by Dave Voth.

From the 39th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

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ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Alexis Bonogofsky
Billings, MT
Alexis Bonogofsky manages the World Wildlife Fund’s Sustainable Ranching Initiative in the Northern Great Plains, partnering with ranchers and landowners to conserve and protect one of the largest remaining intact grassland ecosystems in the world. She grew up on a small family farm just outside of Billings, on the Yellowstone River, where she currently lives and works while raising Katahdin sheep for a local market. Previously, Alexis oversaw the Quivira Coalition’s New Agrarian Program expansion, building soil, biodiversity, and resilience on Montana’s working landscapes. Prior to that, she managed the National Wildlife Federation’s Tribal Lands Partnership Program working to restore bison and protect tribal homelands and resources. Alexis is also a freelance writer and photographer focusing on the prairies of eastern Montana.

Jeff Mundell
San Juan Bautista, CA
Growing up as a lost kid in town, Jeff Mundell was captivated by the allure of buckaroos–and their embodiment of freedom and resilience. Remarkable mentors guided him in the ways of early California-style horsemanship, craftsmanship, stockmanship, and art, igniting in him a deep love for the culture and its people. Jeff has dedicated his existence to unraveling the intricacies of this way of life and advocating for its significance in today's fast-paced, technology-driven world. Currently serving as the manager of the Rancho Cienega del Gabilan, Jeff finds himself at the forefront of discussions centered around safeguarding open spaces, managing vegetation for fire fuel reduction, combating invasive species, creating wildlife connectivity, and enhancing ecosystem function on rangelands. Through involvement in these critical conversations, he seizes every opportunity to convey the relevance of this horse culture and our role as stewards of the vast landscapes of the American West.

Liz Munn
Reno, NV
In over eight years with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Liz Munn has managed several complex projects at the intersection of mining, agriculture, and conservation. These include TNC’s engagement with Barrick/Nevada Gold Mines for a sage-grouse mitigation project, and an innovative public-lands grazing project on the Winecup Gamble Ranch. Liz received a bachelor’s degree from Whitman College and a master’s from the University of Michigan, and is passionate about finding science-based solutions that work for both people and nature.

Jared Sorensen
Ruby Valley, NV
Jared Sorensen is a third-generation rancher with a stewardship ethos that extends back to his grandparents who started a cattle and sheep ranch in northeastern Nevada. His grandfather transferred interests in the sheep operation to Jared in the 1980s, and he continues to live and ranch on the land near Secret Pass and Clover Valley with his wife Selena and their nine children. A founder of Ruby Mountain Foods, Jared raises grass-fed beef and nurtures the next generation by mentoring young people in agriculture, teaching in-person and online classes, and providing internships on the ranch. He strives to continually learn, improve practices, regenerate soil, and manage holistically to support a thriving landscape.

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Filmed in front of a live audience with help from the E. L. Wiegand Foundation at the Western Folklife Center’s G Three Bar Theater in Elko, NV, on Feb. 3, 2024.

Made possible by Northeastern Nevada Stewardship Group and by the multitude of staff, artists, volunteers, and community members working behind the scenes to make this show happen.

Brought to you by the Western Folklife Center, using story and cultural expression to connect the American West to the world.
www.westernfolklife.org

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