Northwest College to Host UW Seminar on Agricultural Trends and Agritourism April 3

The University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources will facilitate a ranch management and agricultural leadership seminar in Powell addressing ways to expand traditional agricultural operations.

The seminar, hosted by Northwest College (NWC) and titled “Wyoming AgVentures: Exploring Agriculture, Agritourism and Ranch Life,” begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in NWC’s Yellowstone Building, located at 331 W. Seventh St. and is available via Zoom.

“Agriculture is constantly evolving. New things come up; old things come back around,” says Makayla Getz, a Park County extension educator who is helping organize the session. “It is not the exact same field it was when our grandparents were in the tractors and combines, and when they were out feeding cattle.”

During the seminar, Getz and Hailey Sorg, UW’s Jay Kemmerer Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Institute extension educator, will address agricultural marketing and how traditional agricultural producers can benefit from agritourism.

Lincoln County Extension Educator McKenna Julian will speak about dual-species grazing. Barton Stam, Hot Springs County extension educator, will discuss working with government agents and other partners, and practicing regenerative grazing.

“If you have any curiosity about what you may want to do when it comes to ranching, this is the perfect workshop to come to,” Getz says. “You’ll meet a variety of people, hear a variety of speakers, and have the opportunity to network and have questions answered.”

The seminar is the third session of the annual ranch management and ag leadership seminar series facilitated by the UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources in partnership with UW Extension educators and community colleges across the state. Events are designed to give producers and students relevant and practical information about agricultural topics in Wyoming.

Community members can register for one or more sessions here. UW and community college students can register by emailing Randall Violett, associate director of the Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership Program, at rviolett@uwyo.edu.

For community members and students not attending the program as part of a course, the cost is $25. The session includes a free meal for registered participants who attend the seminar in person.

The 2025 seminar series will conclude with an all-day leadership symposium at the Laramie Research and Extension Center Thursday, April 17.

For more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/uwag/rmal/ranching-in-the-west-seminar-series.html or call Violett at (307) 766-4239 or email rviolett@uwyo.edu.

About the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources

UW’s College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources serves students and communities through innovative scholarship, research and outreach. Guided by the land-grant principles of discovery and experiential learning, the college facilitates meaningful educational opportunities in the classroom, laboratory and community.

The college offers degrees in agricultural and applied economics, animal science, botany, ecosystem science and management, family and consumer sciences, molecular biology, plant sciences, veterinary sciences, and zoology and physiology. The college also offers degree programs in agricultural communications, microbiology, and ranch management and agricultural leadership.

To learn more, call (307) 766-4133 or visit www.uwyo.edu/uwag.